Black Friday and cyber Monday are the biggest shopping time of the year and retailers continue to promote their products aggressively and in more creative ways to gain your business. Here are some tips to help keep you safe for the holiday shopping season.
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Stick to retailers you know and, preferably, have shopped with before.
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Research a business you haven't purchased from before by checking customer reviews or complaints with the Better Business Bureau.
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Never commit to a deal that seems too good to be true.
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Avoid using a debit card since dispute reimbursements may be less than credit cards.
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Refrain from using public Wi-Fi to make purchases, or use a VPN to avoid hackers intercepting your information.
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Check a webpage's security by looking for the lock icon in the URL field, and making sure the URL starts with "https", not just "http". The "s" means the site is safer and more secure.
1) Beware of Fake Websites
Fake or copycat website is the most popular way cybercriminals will deceive online consumers into falling prey for their Black Friday and Cyber Monday scams. They will clone websites to appear close to legitimate sites.
2) Use Secure Online Shopping Websites
Before you start online shopping on any website during the thanksgiving period, check whether the site is safe and secure. Hover the cursor over the URL and confirm the authenticity of web address. Look for the padlock symbol in the address bar and ensure that the URL begins with ‘HTTPS://’ or ‘SHTTP://’ rather than ‘HTTP://.’ The ‘S’ indicates that the webpage has been encrypted and secured with an SSL certificate.
3) Be Cautious About Phishing Emails
Emails are among the most popular ways for cybercriminals to gain access to your personal information and financial details. The malicious actors send phishing emails to trick online shoppers into clicking a link that appears to be from a legitimate retailer. But these links take you to a scam site that can steal your login credentials, payment info, or even funds when you try to place an order through them. Rather than clicking email links, shop directly from the retailer’s website
4) Use Credit Cards instead of debit
It is always recommended to use credit cards instead of debit cards for online shopping and security as the former offers additional protection. In case you made any fraudulent purchase with your credit card, there is a good chance that your bank will reimburse you promptly.
5) Use a Secure Network
When shopping online, ensure that you use a secure internet connection, either your phone’s cellular network or a private Wi-Fi connection, to browse the internet.
6) Update Security Software
Before you start shopping online for the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, ensure that all your security software is up to date. This restricts cybercriminals from gaining access to your device through security vulnerabilities in older and outdated systems.
7) Monitor Bank Accounts
Throughout the holiday season, regularly monitor your bank statements to ensure no unusual transactions on your account. As there will be unprecedented online activity during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, cybercriminals hope that any unusual debits from the shopper’s account will go undetected. The criminals will often start with smaller amounts and go for a larger amount, almost emptying your account.
8) Beware of Social Media Scams
Social media scams have become prevalent on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Hackers use social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, to put malicious posts, and entice online customers to like and share their posts and click notorious links.
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Phone: +1 (223) 232-2220
Email: customersupport@cyberaid.app
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