The holiday season is a time for celebration, family, and, unfortunately, an increase in cybersecurity threats. As businesses and individuals gear up for festive gatherings and gift-giving, cybercriminals are busy scheming to take advantage of the holiday spirit. This blog post will shed light on some of the most common holiday cybersecurity scams and offer tips on how to protect your business from falling victim to these threats.

Phishing Scams

Phishing scams are a year-round concern, but they tend to peak during the holiday season. Cybercriminals send emails or messages impersonating reputable organizations or even friends and family, with the aim of tricking recipients into revealing sensitive information or clicking on malicious links. These messages may promise amazing deals, delivery notifications, or charity donations, preying on the generosity and eagerness of holiday shoppers.

Protect Your Business:

• Train your employees to recognize phishing emails and messages.
• Always verify the legitimacy of unexpected emails or messages, especially those asking for personal or financial information.
• Implement robust email filtering and spam protection to reduce the likelihood of phishing emails reaching your inbox.

Fake Online Retailers

The convenience of online shopping during the holidays can be a double-edged sword. Cybercriminals set up fake online stores that mimic legitimate retailers, advertising products at unbelievably low prices. Unsuspecting shoppers may end up providing their payment information to these bogus websites, only to receive subpar or counterfeit products in return.

Protect Your Business:

• Encourage your employees to shop from reputable online retailers.
• Use secure and well-known payment methods when making online purchases.
• Educate your team about the importance of scrutinizing the website’s URL and looking for security indicators like the padlock icon.

Charity Scams

Many people feel the spirit of giving during the holidays and look for opportunities to support charitable causes. Cybercriminals exploit this by creating fake charity websites or using social media to solicit donations for non-existent organizations. Money donated to these scams doesn’t go to those in need but instead lines the pockets of fraudsters.

Protect Your Business:

• Research charities thoroughly before making donations.
• Make donations directly through the charity’s official website or in-person at their physical location.
• Educate your employees about the potential risks of online charity scams.

Ransomware Attacks

Cybercriminals don’t take breaks during the holidays. Ransomware attacks can disrupt your business operations and compromise sensitive data. Attackers might exploit employee distractions during the holiday season, making them more likely to click on malicious links or download infected attachments.

Protect Your Business:

• Regularly back up your data and ensure backups are stored securely.
• Implement strong security measures and access controls.
• Train employees on the dangers of downloading files or clicking on links from unknown sources.

E-card Scams

Receiving electronic greeting cards is a common holiday tradition. Cybercriminals may send e-cards laden with malware. When opened, these e-cards can infect your computer or network, potentially causing significant harm.

Protect Your Business:

• Advise your employees to be cautious when opening e-cards from unknown sources.
• Ensure your company’s email security system scans for malicious attachments.

While the holiday season is a time of joy and celebration, it’s also a time when cybercriminals work overtime to exploit unsuspecting victims. By staying informed and implementing proactive cybersecurity measures, your business can enjoy the holidays without falling prey to scams and threats.

At SecureWon we’re committed to helping businesses like yours stay secure year-round. Contact us to learn more about our cybersecurity services and how we can safeguard your business during the holiday season and beyond.

Remember, the best gift you can give your business this holiday season is the gift of cybersecurity. Stay safe, stay vigilant, and have a joyful holiday season!

SecureWon at its core is a national technology services company. What separates us from other technology service providers is our commitment to providing superior documentation and accurate reporting of your organization’s security posture. This attention to detail and quality of our services is what drives us. Contact us today for a free assessment of your technology infrastructure.