Keep Your Grinch at Bay: Here’s How to Stay Safe Online this Holiday Season

Dec 12, 2022The Hacker NewsDNS Security / Online Security

As the holiday season approaches, online shopping and
gift-giving are at the top of many people’s to-do lists. But before
you hit the “buy” button, it’s important to remember that this time
of year is also the peak season for cybercriminals.

In fact, cybercriminals often ramp up their efforts during the
holidays, taking advantage of the influx of online shoppers and the
general hustle and bustle of the season

Don’t let cybercriminals steal your holiday cheer – follow our
simple steps to protect yourself and your personal information
while shopping online, completing work tasks, or simply browsing
the web.

Check everything twice

It’s common for scammers to lure people in with fake deals and
offers during the holiday season. They may promise deep discounts
on popular items or claim to have limited-time offers that are too
good to pass up.

They may also create fake websites or emails that look like they
are from legitimate companies to trick people into giving them
sensitive information, such as credit card numbers or bank account
information.

Here are some tips to help you be more cautious and do your
research before making any purchases or providing personal
information:

• Always check the URL of the website you’re visiting. If it
  starts with “HTTPS,” the site uses encryption to protect your
  data.
• Be on the lookout for spelling mistakes in the text or website
  name. These are often signs that something sketchy is going
  on.
• Remember that phishing and other scams tend to increase around
  Black Friday and the Christmas holidays. Only visit websites that
  you trust.
• Don’t assume that your personal or corporate email is immune to
  scams. Your junk folder may contain emails with dangerous links,
  and so might your inbox.
• One of the easiest ways for cybercriminals to access your
  online accounts is by guessing your password. To protect yourself,
  it’s important to use a strong and unique password for every online
  account you have.

BONUS: If you’re unsure whether a link is safe,
consider using a DNS security tool^[1]
like SafeDNS. It blocks potentially dangerous links, allowing you
to browse with confidence. As a bonus, use promo code “Safe_Xmas10”
to save 10% on Business & Home plans.

Baby, it’s cold outside

Hackers don’t care about who you are or what you do. They’re
only interested in taking advantage of any weakness they can find.
That’s why it’s important to be cautious when opening emails,
especially at work. If you receive a message from someone you don’t
know, or if you’re not expecting a delivery from the sender of an
email, be sure to carefully inspect the message before clicking any
links. If in doubt, contact your IT department for guidance.
Remember, it’s better to be safe than sorry!

Stay on the ‘good’ list

As you enjoy the holiday season, don’t let your guard down when
it comes to cybersecurity. Follow your usual threat protection
methods to keep yourself and your loved ones safe online.

This means using multifactor authentication, creating strong
passwords, and ensuring that your antivirus software and DNS security^[2]
service are up-to-date. If you’re using your company’s WiFi
network, make sure your employer is taking the necessary
precautions to protect employees. You can also use a web filter to
protect your personal WiFi network.

Stay vigilant and keep an eye on your credit card statements to
ensure that your information hasn’t been stolen. Remember that
phishing attacks can come in many forms, including emails,
websites, social media messages, texts, and even calls or QR
codes.

Stay safe by using a DNS security service like SafeDNS. Use
promo code ‘Safe_Xmas10’ at signup^[3]
to get 10% off any Business or Home plan. Happy holidays!”