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Christmas holidays are just around the corner, and so are Christmas scams. Now that holiday shopping is in full swing the Cambrian Infosec team wanted to share a few tips about how to stay safe online while buying gifts for everyone on your list.
Basic Cybersecurity checklist
- Protect each account with a unique, complex password that is at least 12 characters long (use a password manager to make life easier)
- Use multifactor authentication (MFA) for any account that allows it.
- Turn on automatic software updates.
- Know how to identify phishing attacks and report phishing to your email provider or IT department.
Shop Safely Online
- Limit the amount of exposure to your credit card details. Don’t save this information in your browser or on vendor sites.
- Legitimate commercial websites have SSL protection, i.e., the URL should begin with “HTTPS” and be protected by a lock icon in your browser’s address bar.
Financial Activity
- Pay close attention to your financial records, like bank statements and credit card transactions for any fraudulent activity.
- If possible, use a credit card instead of a debit card. There are more consumer protections for credit card transactions if something goes awry.
Research, Research, Research!
- Make sure you’re clear about what you are buying and what you are paying for.
- Prior to purchasing: Research online vendors, read customer reviews, and identify customer service information. Ensure your vendor is reputable.
- If an offer or sales seems too good to be true, it probably is. Stop and think before you click.
Use Smartphones Wisely
- Avoid using your smartphones for any purchases.
- Refrain from responding to clicking links within unknown text messages.
- Protect your smartphones with a lockscreen or biometric authentication.
Do not shop on Public Wi-Fi
- Don’t make online purchases over public wi-fi.
Grinch Bots
- These are automated programs that quickly buy up popular toys, sneakers, or other items and then resell the item for a huge mark-up to real people. No matter how much you want a gift don’t fall for these scammers!