Though Cyber Monday may be all about deals, for some unlucky shoppers, it can be defined by some nasty steals. According to some experts, cybercrime rates increase during the holiday season, leaving your bank account vulnerable to a hacking Grinch looking to not only ruin Christmas, but your credit score, too.
From password protection to the power of VPNs, here are 10 tips to avoid scams on Cyber Monday.
1
Double Check Your Sites
Are you on Amazon.com or Amazon.net? While we all may be rushing to nab the best deals, double — or even triple — checking that you’re shopping on a legit website can save you a major headache later on.
2
Watch Your WiFi
While we may all love using our local coffee shop’s free internet, shopping on an unfamiliar network is a risky move. Public WiFi can be prone to hackers, leaving you vulnerable to identity theft.
3
Use A VPN
Furthermore, using a VPN while nabbing Cyber Monday deals can offer extra protection from scammers looking to take your financial information.
4
Take Credit
Considering debit cards offer direct access to your bank account, using credit cards for online purchases is always a safer bet.
5
Stay Up To Date
It might be time to stop ignoring your phone’s update notifications. Older software can be easier to hack, giving criminals less difficulty in accessing your information.
6
P@$$w0RD Protection
Relying on robust passwords is always a good idea, one compounded while Cyber Monday shopping.
7
Double the Factors, Double The Fun
Though often annoying, two-factor authentication is an important step to keeping your money safe.
8
Creep on Your Credit
A major, unexplained change in your credit score could signal trouble. Flagging identity theft early can stop scammers from wreaking havoc on your finances.
9
Go Phish
Got an email boasting 90 percent off of a brand new iMac? Think twice before clicking that link. Scammers will often send links to fake websites in an attempt to swindle unwitting consumers.
10
Use Your Head
Even with all of Cyber Monday’s incredible deals, the old adage still rings true: If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
