Security First: Black Friday & Cyber Monday Shopping

The amount of money spent over this cyber weekend is increasing year over year. For example, last year, UK shoppers spent £2.5 billion on Black Friday Cyber Monday deals, up 3.4% from the previous year.

Considering that cybercriminals are tracking money, it is inevitable that this cyber week of frenzied spending offers the perfect opportunity to scam large numbers of people. According to researches, nearly a quarter of 18-34-year-olds have fallen victim to Black Friday scams over the past five years, with shoppers losing an average of £660 after falling victim to such scams.

As attacks become more sophisticated and intelligent, shoppers need to be more careful when searching for the latest discounts online. That’s why follow the 10 Cybersecurity tips below to keep you safe online the upcoming Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales:

1.     Watch out for fake websites

Creating fake sites is one of the most popular ways cybercriminals will trick shoppers into falling for Black Friday and Cyber Monday scams. Scammers will clone websites to trick consumers into believing they are purchasing from a legitimate site. The website may look almost identical to the actual site; however, subtle changes may show that all is not as it seems.

A web address ending in shop.com.nl can be changed to .org, images may be pixelated, site functions may not work correctly, and content is often substandard. It's always worth double-checking a site's address to verify its authenticity.

2.     Only use secure sites

Before entering any information on a website, you should always check that the site is reliable and secure (check how to secure your website here). The first step is to hover your mouse over the URL and check the validity of the web address. You should look for a padlock symbol in the address bar and check that the URL starts with 'https://' or 'shttp://'. The 'S' indicates that the web address is encrypted and secured with an SSL certificate. Without HTTPS, all data transmitted on the site is not secure and can be intercepted by criminal third parties.

However, this system is not entirely foolproof. There has been a significant increase in the number of phishing sites using SSL certificates in the last few years. Users are advised to be extra careful and look for more proof that the site is safe. You should check for a website privacy policy, use a website security checker like Google Safe Browsing, or do a WHOIS  search to see who owns the website.

3.     Use a credit card or digital credit card

It's always best to use a credit card or digital credit card when shopping online if it’s possible, as it provides additional protection over other forms of payment. If a fraudulent purchase is made on your credit card, your bank is likely to refund you immediately. However, if a criminal steals your card information, they can clear your personal account and get the money back more difficult.

4.     Beware of phishing emails

Phishing is one of the most popular ways for criminals to steal your personal information, and there is always a massive spike in such scams during Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

While Cyber Monday is approaching, beware of emails offering cash rewards or last-minute deals. These emails are designed to trick shoppers into clicking on a link that may appear to be from a reputable seller. If you think something isn't right with the email, trust your gut and delete it immediately.

5.     Avoid deals that are too good to be true

Black Friday and Cyber Monday have many legitimate deals offered by trusted and reputable retailers. But cybercriminals know that we will search the internet for the cheapest deals, and they take advantage of this by infiltrating many fake offers.

Be aware of any emails, pop-ups, or posts on social media that promise the lowest prices. Clicking the link may take you directly to a phishing site or cause you to download malware onto your device. It can be challenging to distinguish between a genuine bargain and a fake, so it's best to do research to see if the site is trustworthy or go directly to a brand's website to determine if the deal is genuine. When an offer seems too good to be true, it usually is!

6.     Use strong passwords

As known, password security is one of the most fundamental issues for secure shopping, but creating a strong password is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself from being hacked online. It can be tempting to use the same password for multiple accounts as there are so many passwords to remember, but this dramatically increases the risk of your data being stolen. If hackers can crack just one of your passwords, whether it's a Facebook account or online banking details, they can potentially gain access to every account you have.

It's always best to use a unique username and password for separate online accounts so that in the unfortunate case of phishing, attackers cannot access your other online accounts. A great way to create a longer and more complex password is to use a passphrase. A password is a set of memorable words for you but is difficult for someone else to crack. The first letter of each word will form the basis of your password and can be replaced with letters, numbers, and symbols to make it even more secure.

7.     Watch out for social media scams

Social media scams are common on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Scammers know that people go online specifically to look for deals, so they make it as easy as possible for shoppers to be fooled by their online scam. Facebook and Twitter tend to be the preferred choice for these malicious posts, and criminals ask shoppers to like and share their posts, so they get to the top of their news feeds and reach a wider audience.

Users tend to trust social media more, and determining whether a link is malicious is often more complicated than it would be on a more traditional platform.

8.     Avoid Public Wi-Fi to go shopping

Using public Wi-Fi to search for the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals can open you up to a host of security risks.

Public Wi-Fi does not require authentication to establish a network connection and allows fraudsters to access unsecured devices on the same open network directly. This allows hackers to steal valuable information such as login passwords, credit card information, and other personal and financial details.

Unsecured Wi-Fi networks can also be used to spread malware that allows criminals unrestricted access to everything on your device. This information can, in turn, be used to commit identity fraud, or the information can be sold to criminal third parties.

9.     Ensure all your software is up to date

Before you go shopping online for the hottest deals, you should make sure all your security software is up to date. This will prevent cybercriminals from accessing your computer through vulnerabilities in outdated and outdated systems. Installing anti-virus software will also help detect threats on your computer and prevent unauthorized users from gaining access.

10. Monitor bank statements for fraudulent activity

It's always worth keeping a close eye on bank statements to ensure there are no unusual transactions on your account. Criminals know that there will be a lot of online activity during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, so they hope that unusual charges from your account will not go unnoticed. Typically, fraudsters will make several initial loans for smaller amounts and then enter a larger amount to clear your bank account.