Online shopping is a quick and easy way to get your holiday shopping done. While you are taking advantage of all the holiday deals, there are cybercriminals out there who are taking advantage of holiday shoppers.
Fortunately, there are ways you can shop online safely this holiday season to help reduce the risks that often come with storing and sharing your sensitive information on various retail sites. At CMIT Solutions, we want you to have a safe shopping experience this holiday season, so we have put together a few tips to help you avoid scams and other online risks.
Watch out for Unfamiliar or Suspicious Retailers
Watch out for Unfamiliar or Suspicious RetailersIf you go to a site that seems to be a little off, appears to be a scam, or you click on a deal that seems too good to be true, do not submit your payment or login information on these sites. During the holiday season, it is common for scammers to design and set up sites to draw in holiday bargain hunters looking for the best deal on the latest technology and other hot ticket items.
We recommend that if you are not familiar with the company or the website, it’s best to avoid using the website to make a purchase. Go to shopping site links that you know are legitimate.
Don’t Shop Using Public Wi-Fi without a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
Shopping on the go is easier with our mobile devices, but it is best to avoid shopping on your phone or another device while using a public network in places such as a coffee shop, hotel, or airport. If you plan to use a public network for online shopping, be sure to connect to a VPN, which will encrypt the traffic that is coming in and out of your device. This will prevent hackers from viewing your information, such as logins and payment information. If you don’t have a VPN, contact us to get one.
Keep an Eye Out for Shopping-Related Phishing Schemes
Phishing is a tactic commonly used by cybercriminals to steal your information. This is an effective scam that is conducted by sending you an email designed to look like it came from someone you trust, such as your bank, a brand you like, etc. These emails will typically encourage you to click on a link that is malicious by offering you a limited time deal or price. When you click the link, it takes you to a fake/spoofed landing page of the brand the cybercriminal is impersonating. On this page, they will try to collect your payment information or your login credentials.
If you are suspicious of the email, check the “from” email address to make sure it is legitimate. You should also hover over the URL in the email to make sure it leads to a legitimate website before clicking on it.
Are you Looking for Ways to Secure your Business this Holiday Season? CMIT Solutions can Help!
At CMIT Solutions, we offer a range of comprehensive security solutions to keep your company’s data safe. Contact us today for all of your cybersecurity needs to keep your Pittsburgh business safe!