Dec 2, 2021
The holidays make online shopping irresistible, with fast shipping, endless options, and deals around every corner. After a successful Thanksgiving dinner comes a weekend full of holiday specials, and while holidays increase shopping, cybercriminals love this season just as much. Fake storefronts pop up overnight, phishing emails mimic trusted brands, and “delivery update” texts try to trick you into clicking malicious links. With higher order volume and tighter timelines, even savvy shoppers can be caught off guard.
In this guide, Blade Technologies discusses what can really keep you safe while shopping online. We’ll cover how to spot spoofed sites and too-good-to-be-true offers, the safest ways to pay, and smart steps to protect your accounts, devices, and personal data. Whether you shop on Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or throughout December, we’ll help you stay alert and safe while completing your online holiday shopping.
1. Watch for Signs of Identity Theft
Identity theft is a threat all year, but during the holidays, our identity becomes more exposed by using our debit and credit cards more often. Even the most careful shoppers can fall victim to identity theft, so staying alert can help you catch fraud early before it spirals into long-term damage.
If you’re shopping in stores, be cautious of strangers watching for your PIN while paying with your debit or credit card. Protect your personal information, such as your PIN or credit card numbers, by making sure to shield the full view of the keypad.
If you're online shopping, review your debit and credit transactions to ensure that all purchases were made by you. Signs of possible identity theft include unexplained withdrawals, unfamiliar accounts or credit cards opened in your name, or sudden drops in your credit score. Most financial institutions can send text or email alerts for purchases over a certain amount, unusual activity, or logins from new devices. These real-time notifications can help you take action fast.
2. Shop from Trusted Sources
One of the simplest ways to protect yourself while holiday shopping online is to stick with retailers you know and trust. Cybercriminals often create fake websites designed to look like legitimate stores, offering huge discounts to lure in unsuspecting buyers. Once you enter your payment details, your information is at risk.
Fake vendors can be difficult to spot, but there are a few things to look for. If the price on an item seems too good to be true, there’s a large chance that it is. If you purchase an item and never receive it or don’t hear back from the store about a refund, it was likely a scam. To prevent this, research brands online before purchasing. If the vendor has an unfamiliar name and does not list where it’s located, chances are you should shop somewhere else.
If you think you did purchase something from a fake online store, reach out to your bank to see if there is a policy for these situations that could help you.
3. Secure Your Connection
Where and how you connect to the internet matters when making purchases online. Hackers often target public Wi-Fi networks, especially in airports, coffee shops, or hotels, to intercept sensitive information like credit card details. If you must shop while traveling, use your phone’s data connection or a personal hotspot to mitigate this risk.
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is another way to protect your data. VPNs encrypt your online activity, making it far more difficult for attackers to spy on your browsing or transactions. Think of it as a private tunnel between your device and the store’s website.
4. Use Strong Payment Protection
The way you pay online can add an extra layer of security or expose you to greater risk. Choosing safe payment methods and monitoring your accounts regularly is essential.
Credit cards typically offer stronger fraud protection than debit cards, making it easier to dispute unauthorized charges. Debit cards, on the other hand, pull funds directly from your account and can be harder to recover. You can also use services like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal, which provide secure, tokenized transactions that keep your actual card number hidden from retailers. This reduces exposure if the site suffers a data breach.
5. Guard Your Personal Information
Retailers need certain details to process your order, but that doesn’t mean you should hand over everything they ask for. Oversharing can put you at risk if the website isn’t secure or if it’s fraudulent.
At checkout, stick to the basics: shipping address, billing address, and payment information. A legitimate store should never ask for details like your Social Security number or full date of birth. Unless you shop with a retailer regularly, you should also use guest checkout, as this limits the amount of personal data stored in their systems, reducing your exposure in case their database is breached.
6. Keep Devices and Software Updated
Cybercriminals look for vulnerabilities in outdated systems, browsers, and apps. If you’re running old software, you could be leaving the door wide open for attackers. Ensure you enable automatic updates on your computer, smartphone, and tablet to get the latest security patches. These fixes are often released to close gaps that hackers can exploit.
The same mindset applies to browsers and security software. Most online shopping happens through web browsers like Chrome, Safari, or Edge. Running the latest version helps protect against malicious scripts and unsafe plug-ins. Antivirus and endpoint protection software can also block harmful downloads, phishing attempts, and malware that might slip through.
Finally, if your device warns you about an insecure website or suspicious download, take it seriously. Those prompts are designed to stop you from walking into a trap.
7. Avoid Fake Charities and Choose Secure Online Donating
While it is the season of giving, some people take advantage by sending out fake solicitations this time of year. If you start receiving emails asking you to donate to a charity that you're unfamiliar with, be sure to look up the organization first.
Sites like Charity Navigator or Give.org provide the credentials and accreditation information for thousands of organizations. If the charity asking you to donate is not on one of these sites, it’s best to avoid donating to keep your data and finances safe.
8. Track Packages Safely and Avoid Porch Pirates
Holiday shopping often means juggling multiple deliveries, which makes package-tracking scams and porch pirates a favorite trick for cybercriminals and thieves alike. Fake emails or texts claiming to be from UPS, FedEx, or USPS are designed to get you to click on malicious links or share sensitive information. However, even after shopping safely online, you're still at risk for porch pirates. Porch pirates are people who wait for your packages to be delivered to your doorstep. Once delivered, they work to steal the package before you get to it.
Instead of clicking on links in messages, visit the official carrier website or use their official app. Enter your tracking number directly to confirm the status of your shipment. Red flags to watch for include generic greetings (“Dear Customer”), misspelled words, or urgent calls to action like “Click now to reschedule your delivery.” Legitimate carriers won’t ask for personal details or payments to release your package.
In terms of keeping your packages safe upon delivery, some services like Amazon allow you to give specific instructions to the delivery driver on how to get into your garage using the code. That service has its own risks, so tread carefully. The best way to deter porch pirates from stealing your packages is to install a video doorbell or surveillance system. If your packages still get stolen, you at least have a video record to show law enforcement.
Stay Safe Online All Year Long with Blade Technologies
Holiday shopping should be joyful, not stressful. With a few smart habits like sticking to trusted retailers, securing your connection, using strong payment methods, and limiting the data you share, you can protect your identity and your budget while you check off every gift on your list. Keep an eye on your accounts, verify package updates through official channels, and make updates to your devices part of your routine. Small steps now can prevent major problems later.
If you want added peace of mind, Blade Technologies can help. Our team provides comprehensive cybersecurity that includes risk assessments, managed endpoint protection, and 24/7 network monitoring to keep businesses safe year-round. Ready to strengthen your defenses before the rush? Contact Blade Technologies to get started.
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