8 Practical Cyber Security Tips for Holiday Shopping

A computer with a lock logo on a red desk surrounded by ornaments.

Consumer spending between Black Friday and Cyber Monday is projected to reach $75 billion, making it a prime target for cyber criminals. Both in-person and online shopping carry risks due to the high volume of transactions. Our team of cyber security experts have tips to keep in mind while shopping during the seasonal sales.

Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA): Adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification.
Avoid public charging stations: These can be exploited for “juice jacking,” where malicious software is installed on your device, or your data can be stolen without your knowledge.
Be cautious of public Wi-Fi: Use a VPN to encrypt your connection if you must use public Wi-Fi.
Watch out for skimmers: Inspect card readers for tampering to avoid having your credit card information stolen.
Ensure HTTPS in URLs: Look for HTTPS and a padlock icon to ensure data encryption.
Verify website URLs: Check for misspellings or unusual domain names to avoid fraudulent sites.
Monitor bank accounts: Regularly check for unauthorized transactions and set up alerts.
Be wary of too-good-to-be-true deals: Verify deals through the retailer’s official website to avoid phishing scams.

Create A Plan

Having effective plans in place and resources at your fingertips can be the difference between a successful attack or an attempted one. Great American policyholders can use our innovative risk management platform, Eagle Eye, to build an IT Roadmap that can help your company better manage evolving risks like the MOVEit vulnerability and more.

We’re Here to Help – Contact Our Loss Control Consultants Today

At Great American Insurance Group, we strive to ensure that our policyholders are not only aware of the hazards they face but are equipped with the necessary tools to prevent and combat them as effectively as possible. Interested in learning more? Talk to our team of experts.

For additional information on improving your organization’s safety and security, visit the Plan & Protect Hub.