Holiday bliss or digital miss? Protect your joy this season

The holiday season is fast approaching and with it comes the trend of online shopping. However, the shift to online shopping comes with risks as cyber criminals target unsuspecting shoppers with increasingly unique, sophisticated tricks to dupe unsuspecting online shoppers. Every holiday season the scams become even more elaborate and hard to spot.

Hackers exploit online shoppers through tactics like phishing, ransomware attacks, malware, and fake websites that mimic trusted online stores. These fraudulent sites lure users into sharing sensitive information such as personal details and credit card numbers. It is exceedingly difficult to differentiate the real from fake websites, so vigilance is essential.

You can still shop safely online without compromising your security by taking a few proactive measures. It starts with having a robust up-to-date cyber-security tool. Following simple practical tips can also keep you safe from scammers.

Practical tips for online shopping:

• Make sure you only buy from trusted sellers and web shops

• Check for the padlock icon in the address bar, indicating the website is secure.

• Do not save any banking information on a website, however convenient it may seem.

• Do not shop while using a public Wi-Fi network, unless using a proper Virtual Private Network (VPN)

• Create strong passwords with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Strong credentials make it harder for hackers to access your accounts

• Trust your instincts, if something feels off about the website, exit immediately and avoid using it further.

• If an offer seems to be too good to be true, it must probably is.

Stay Informed and vigilant

Namibia faces challenges in IT security awareness and training, making it necessary to focus on safe online practices, especially during the holiday season. This does not just impact private individuals, but businesses are at risk too. Employees and management must be vigilant throughout the year, but especially during this time of year. Your employees may decide to do some of their Christmas shopping at the office, if your cyber security provisions are not up to date, it can adversely affect the whole organization. Keep your organization on high alert and if in doubt about the robustness of the cyber-security protection of the organization, engage a cyber-security professional who can assess the cyber security protection within the organization.



Secure Your Holiday Season

Before diving into online shopping, make sure to prioritize your cyber-security. A little (pre)caution goes a long way in protecting yourself from potential threats. Don’t let online Christmas shopping become a digital miss for you and your loved ones.