Cyber Safety Tips for The Holidays
As the holidays approach, the excitement of finding the perfect gifts can sometimes overshadow our usual caution. Scammers know this — and every year, they ramp up their activity during November and December, hoping to catch shoppers off guard. With inboxes overflowing with discount codes, phones buzzing with “shipping updates,” and a constant rush to snag deals before they sell out, it’s easy to make a quick click that leads somewhere dangerous.
The truth is that holiday scams have become more sophisticated than ever. Criminals now create entire fake storefronts, clone legitimate websites, and mimic shipping alerts or payment requests so convincingly that even savvy shoppers can get fooled. They count on one thing: that in the holiday rush, people move too fast to double-check.
This season, it’s worth slowing down and making sure your security habits keep pace with your generosity.
The Most Common Holiday Tricks
One of the biggest threats during the shopping season is the fake online store. These sites can look polished and professional, often using logos, product photos, and even reviews copied from real retailers. Once you hit “checkout,” your payment details go straight to the scammer, and the store quietly disappears after a few weeks. Before you buy, take a second to check the URL. Subtle misspellings or unusual domains (like “.shop” or “.co” instead of “.com”) are red flags.
Phishing emails are another holiday classic. You might get a message saying a package couldn’t be delivered or that your payment was declined. The links inside often lead to credential-stealing pages that imitate UPS, Amazon, or your bank. Instead of clicking, go directly to the retailer’s or carrier’s website and enter your tracking number there.
Then there are scams that feel more personal. Fake customer-service accounts on social media reply to real complaints and “help” by collecting payment info. Others send QR codes that lead to malicious apps or fraudulent payment portals. And during the peak of Black Friday hype, you’ll see browser extensions promising automatic discounts or cashback — some of which quietly harvest browsing data or install malware.
Even job seekers aren’t spared. “Mystery shopper” scams pop up every year, offering seasonal work that requires you to buy gift cards, forward packages, or provide personal information. These schemes often turn victims into unwitting money mules.
Staying Safe While You Shop
The best defense this season is awareness, plus a few easy security habits. Use credit cards or virtual cards rather than debit cards, since they offer better fraud protection and are easier to cancel. Before entering payment information, make sure you’re on a legitimate website with HTTPS encryption and a clean, professional checkout process.
Turn on two-factor authentication wherever possible, especially on your main email and shopping accounts. These accounts often store your payment details, so adding that second layer of protection makes a real difference.
Avoid making purchases over public Wi-Fi; use your cellular data or a trusted VPN instead. Keep your browser and operating system updated as many scams rely on exploiting older versions of software. And if you use browser extensions, only install them from reputable vendors and review the permissions carefully.
It also helps to set up transaction alerts with your bank or credit card provider. That way, if someone tries to use your card, you’ll know immediately. And perhaps most importantly: slow down before you click. The most effective scams rely on urgency, the sense that you’ll miss out on a deal if you don’t act right now. Taking a moment to verify before you buy is the easiest way to stay safe.
Why This Matters at Work
Even when holiday shopping is personal, the risks can spill into the workplace. Many employees shop during breaks, lunch hours, or while connected to the corporate network. That means a single malicious link, fraudulent extension, or compromised website can expose not just your personal information but also company systems.
During the holiday season, our IT team typically sees a rise in blocked phishing attempts, malicious downloads, and suspicious authentication activity tied to holiday shopping scams. These threats can disrupt operations, compromise business email accounts, or expose sensitive client data.
If you're going to browse or shop online while connected to company resources, please keep these best practices in mind:
Avoid clicking shopping links from personal email on company devices.
Do not install coupon or shopping browser extensions on corporate systems.
Never enter payment information on unfamiliar websites.
Be cautious of QR codes, social media promotions, or too good to be true deals.
If something feels even slightly suspicious, stop and ask IT.
Good security awareness helps protect you, your data, and the organization as a whole and it ensures that everyone can enjoy the season without unnecessary risk.
What to Do If You Suspect a Scam
If you think you’ve been tricked, act fast. Stop communicating with the suspected scammer, freeze your card, and contact your bank immediately. Change your passwords, especially for accounts that use the same login, and enable two-factor authentication if it’s not already on. Review recent transactions for suspicious activity and report any fraud to the retailer, your bank, or the Federal Trade Commission.
Quick action can limit the damage and help others avoid the same trap.
Wrapping It All Up
The holidays are meant for giving, not regretting. By taking a few small precautions, you can keep your finances, and your peace of mind, intact through the shopping rush. Slow down before clicking links, use trusted payment methods, and stay alert for anything that feels off.
The best gift you can give yourself this season is a safe and scam-free holiday.