10 Critical Security Tips for Online Christmas Shopping

Hi reader and welcome back to another blog. Today we are going to be talking about 10 critical security tips for online Christmas shopping! Now we know this time of the year is very exciting, and sometimes a little stressful when it comes to making sure you are prepared for the most important day of the year, but you must be careful when ordering things online. Christmas shopping is in full swing, but scammers are at the ready and are waiting! So, you need to be one step ahead.

Don’t forget to stay vigilant. Now more than ever is it so important to stay on top of where you are shopping and what you are buying. As this crazy time of year occurs it is very important to add a bit of cybersecurity prevention. Being safe online can save you from a huge nightmare.

Check for device updates:

Checking for updates on the device you are using, whether this is your computer, tablet, or phone. Updating your device will keep you more secure and will prevent vulnerabilities within your security.

Hackers often seek weaknesses within your technology. Technology updates install patches for known vulnerabilities within your device. To protect your personal information, you must do your updates when they are required.

Do you remember when there was a flaw in iOS 15.6.1? Well, if you didn’t hear about this and you are still using this then you MUST update your Apple products. There was a huge flaw within this update and Apple stated, “We are aware of reports that the issue may have been actively exploited”. The found vulnerability could give malicious applications access to the most secure parts of the operating system and your data and the most recent security update addresses that issue.

Make sure the site uses HTTPS (Emphasis on the “S”)

HTTPS vs HTTP – What are the differences? Have you ever seen a website that states it is not secure in the search bar? Well, if you have then that means the website is an HTTP site which means it doesn’t have any encryption and verification whereas HTTPS does.

HTTPS has now become the norm for most websites now. HTTPS means that the website encrypts all of the data which is put through the site. You should NEVER shop on a website that uses HTTP.

Double-check the site URL

It is very common to make spelling mistakes, especially when it comes to using your phone, even if you have an iPhone 13 Pro Max. One typo can mean that you are being directed to a malicious site. Hackers buy domains which are so close to popular sites, and they copy the site which is designed to trick users into believing it is the site they originally searched for or at least thought they were.

Always double-check the site URL before shopping or logging into “your” account.

Don’t go to websites from email links

It takes us a lot more time to go into safari and type in “ebay.co.uk” rather than clicking on the email link you received but phishing scams are ready to catch you out, especially at this time of the year. Clicking on an email link that has been sent to you from a phishing email, which leads you to a malicious site, can automatically download malware.

Avoid clicking any type of link at all costs. Instead, go to the website directly. We know it is a lengthy process, but it is safer than clicking on a text or an email.

Use the wallet app where possible

When using a website, there is always a risk when giving your debit or credit card information. The risk is of course even higher when you are buying Christmas presents, especially if you have been given links from family and friends and you may have not used this site before.

Where it is possible, use your wallet within your phones such as Apple Pay and Google Pay. Applications such as PayPal are also a great way to keep your finances safe. These types of payments eliminate the need to give your payment card details directly to the website.

Remove any saved payment cards after checking out

Many websites, including big companies such as Amazon, automatically save your card payment details within your profile. This makes checking out much easier, right? But it puts you and your account at risk. If a hacker gets your credentials for the site or they get their hands on your device, then all of the hard one is done, they add what they want to their, or should I say your basket and they change the address and check out. Simple really.

There is also the risk of the website being under a data breach. These are very common and means that your personal information can be leaked, such as customer payment information. The least amount of your personal information on the internet the better for you and your security, meaning fewer risks.

Once you check out of a website, we advise you to delete your personal information from the site. We know it is a lot easier for the future, especially when you want to quickly buy something on your amazon prime, but it is better to be safe than sorry! You can usually delete this information in the settings within your account.  

Never shop online when on public Wi-Fi

When connecting your device to a public Wi-Fi you may as well allow a stranger to follow your every move. We understand it is lovely and festive to get your gingerbread coffee or after eight hot chocolate and quickly connect to the Starbucks Wi-Fi to log into different accounts, do some online shopping or do some work, but hackers are sitting there and waiting to catch you out.

The problem with public Wi-Fi is in fact people setting up a ‘network’ that does give you Wi-Fi access and you are none the wiser, but they are watching your every move and getting the information you would not want anyone else to see or know. You could be giving out passwords or even worse, your card details, which goes back to the point of using the wallet app.

Never shop when connected to a public Wi-Fi, make sure you are on your own data or wait until you are home.

Be on high alert for brand impersonation emails and texts

Scammers are very much in full force within the Christmas period. This is one of the busiest times when everyone is buying gifts or some people may be buying for themselves, i.e., Christmas party outfits, Christmas tree, the list could go on… But we want you to be very aware of what links you are clicking. In 2021 there was a 397% increase in misleading domains connected to phishing attacks.

You always need to be careful about links you receive via email or text and even links on social media, yes even if your auntie has shared it but it is even worse around the Christmas period. So please do not click on anything you are unaware of or anything at all! The hackers are aware that people are awaiting discount codes and Christmas deals.

These emails or texts are made with a template.

Enable banking alerts and check your account

It should be added to your daily routine to that you check your bank account regularly. You must make sure you look for suspicious charges, even if the charge is £1. In a lot of cases, hackers take a small amount before taking a larger amount. It is encouraged to receive notifications as soon as money is spent from your account, I know sometimes you may have spent too much money and you don’t want to look at it, but it is a very good idea.

And that is how you stay safe whilst shopping online at Christmas. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about your security. Kiwi has a precise and supportive IT Team who can support you and your business. We offer training courses to make sure your team are taking precautions by not clicking on links sent in emails or clicking on the wrong URLs and much more! Contact Kiwi today to find out more.