ONLINE SHOPPING SAFETY

By Scott Stitts, Vice President & Chief Information Officer

The holiday season is a time to gather with loved ones, share meaningful stories, create lasting memories, and hunt for deals online. As online shopping surges, so does cybercrime. Scammers know this is when people are busy, distracted, and spending more time online, making it the ideal time to strike.

Cybercriminals use increasingly sophisticated tactics to steal personal and financial information during the holidays. Some common scams include deals that seem "too good to be true" and fraudulent charity requests designed to exploit your holiday spirit.

Advancements in technology, especially artificial intelligence, have made spotting these threats more challenging than ever. It is more important than ever to be proactive and protect yourself and your data.

While no one is completely 'hackproof', you can become more resilient. The National Cybersecurity Alliance recommends four simple but powerful habits for safeguarding your information, securing your accounts, and protecting your devices.

Use Complex Passwords

Passwords are your first line of defense, especially when entering payment details or tracking packages.

• Long passwords: Safe passwords are at least 16 characters long and include a mix of letters, numbers and symbols.

• Do not reuse passwords: A security breach on one site can compromise your passwords on other sites. Best practice is to have a different and unique password for each site.

• Use a password manager: A password manager generates passwords for you, remembers them, and enters them when needed. The best thing about this service is that you only need to remember ONE password, the one for the password manager.

If you prefer writing passwords down, treat that notebook like cash—store it safely and out of sight.

Enable MFA

Multifactor Authentication (MFA) provides another level of protection. Many companies already require this, specifically banks and companies that keep your sensitive information.

• One-Time Codes: Multifactor authentication may involve a one-time code sent to your phone by text, phone call, security key or email.

• Turn on MFA: MFA is essential for email, banking, social media and shopping platforms, especially Amazon or PayPal.

• Never Share MFA Codes: No legitimate company will ask for them; only scammers ask for them.

• Install Software Updates: Protect your devices before using them to shop online. Go to the "Settings" menu and turn on automatic updates for your devices and apps.

• Do Not Ignore Update Reminders: The updates often fix security flaws that hackers exploit.

Before you track a package or download a festive app, be sure your device is up to date.

Watch Out For Phishing & Scams

Scammers know how to take advantage of the holiday rush. They send fake messages to get you to give them sensitive information or click on malicious links.

• Be cautious of messages that create urgency or offer deals that seem too good to be true.

• Watch for fake shipping notifications, gift card scams, and phony charity requests.

• Do not click on suspicious links or download unexpected attachments.

Give yourself the gift of peace of mind this holiday season by practicing these crucial tips. You will be better prepared to enjoy the festivities (and your online shopping) safely and securely.