1. Secure Online Shopping

• Do your best to purchase from online stores you already know, trust, and have done business with previously.
• Research companies you haven’t dealt with before, prior to making a purchase.
• When possible, enable the option to notify you by email, text, or app when a purchase is made. 
• Regularly review your credit card statements to identify suspicious charges. 
• Consider using a credit card just for online purchases. That way, if it is compromised, you can easily change the card without impacting any of your other payment activities.

2. Spotting Holiday Phishing

• Be aware of any organization or person asking you to pay for something by putting money on a gift card, like a Google Play or iTunes card, and then giving them the numbers on the back of the card. If they ask you to do this, they’re trying to scam you.
• Be wary of all "too-good-to-be-true" offers, especially if they can only be claimed by clicking a link.
• Confirm any shipping notifications via a trusted website, or by calling a verified customer service number.
• If an email advertises a sale, go directly to the source to verify it.

3. Secure Holiday Travel 

• Instead of connecting to a public Wi-Fi network, whenever possible connect to and use the personal hotspot feature of your smartphone.
• Don’t post pictures of boarding passes, drivers licenses, or passports as this can lead to identity theft.
• Keep the screen lock enabled, and if possible, ensure you have some way to remotely track your devices if they are lost.
• Avoid using public computers – such as those in hotel lobbies or at coffee shops to log into any accounts or access sensitive information. 

Staying Safe for the Holidays Training Module

We’ve got a special gift for you this holiday season: Free tickets to be a fly on the wall at a hacker holiday party! This training module takes you inside the minds of four cybercriminals as they swap tips and tricks for getting the most out of holiday scams. Watch them discuss their own nefarious activities and learn tips you can use to avoid becoming a victim. Check it out to learn about:

• Phony gift card scams
• Fake WiFi networks in shopping centers designed to steal information
• Imposter discount sites offering free coupons

Holiday Cybersecurity World Passport Game

The holiday season can be a stressful time, especially when cybercriminals are on the prowl! Cybercriminals know that distractions like traveling, family visits, and buying gifts are abundant, so they try to turn that stress into a payday for themselves! This fun, interactive game will help you brush up on some of the things to look out for this holiday season!

Stay Safe for the Holidays Video

Today’s globally connected society makes it easy for us to do many things online. Unfortunately, it also makes it easier for criminals to take advantage of us. That’s why we’re sharing this brief video with a global twist to help you keep good
cybersecurity practices top of mind this holiday season. Check it out to learn:

• The top five security tips to keep in mind this holiday season
• Specific examples of how cybercriminals accomplish their scams
• Actionable tips for how to protect yourself and your organization