Cybersecurity Tips and Tricks: Stay Safe Online This Holiday Season

Written by Des Moloney and Elizabeth Orobono

The holiday season is a prime time for cybercriminals to target businesses, employees, and customers alike. With an uptick in phishing emails, text messages, and even voicemails spoofing major shipping carriers like UPS and FedEx, organizations must remain vigilant. Protecting your business and employees from cyber threats this season begins with awareness and action.

Top Tips to Avoid Holiday Scams

1. Beware of “Too Good to Be True” Deals:
   Cybercriminals often prey on last-minute shoppers with offers that seem irresistible. Remind employees and customers to be skeptical of emails, texts, or voicemails offering free gifts, gift cards, or steep discounts. A good rule of thumb: if it feels too good to be true, it probably is.
2. Verify Email Senders:
   Encourage everyone to scrutinize sender email addresses for small discrepancies, like @amaz0n.com instead of @amazon.com. For text or voicemail messages, ensure they only interact with recognized and trusted numbers.
3. Avoid Clicking on Links:
   Phishing emails often include tracking links for packages. Instead of clicking, go directly to the shipping carrier’s website and enter the tracking number. Make this a company-wide standard for handling package tracking.
4. Skip Suspicious Attachments:
   Fake receipts or invoices can be phishing traps. Instruct your team to retrieve order confirmations directly from the seller’s official website. Delete emails for purchases that weren’t made—these are likely scams.
5. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA):
   Require MFA for any employee accounts tied to vendors or holiday purchases. This added layer of security makes it harder for cybercriminals to gain unauthorized access.
6. Use Unique, Strong Passwords:
   Stress the importance of unique passwords for each account. Password managers can help employees securely manage login credentials without reusing them.

Additional Cybersecurity Tips for Businesses

• Secure Transactions: Always ensure your business and employees use websites with “https” in the URL for purchases.
• Avoid Public Wi-Fi: Warn employees against using public networks for online shopping or sensitive transactions. Suggest using a VPN for added security.
• Monitor Financial Activity: Regularly review bank statements or financial platforms for unauthorized activity and encourage employees to do the same.

Safeguard Your Business and Employees

Cybersecurity is a team effort, especially during the holiday season. Share these tips company-wide to minimize risks, ensure safe online practices, and protect your organization from potential cyber threats. When employees stay alert, your business stays resilient.