Stay safe when shopping online this holiday season
The holidays are here! While this is the season for joy and giving, it’s also prime time for online scams. Every year, billions of dollars are lost to cybercrime during the holidays, thanks to scammers taking advantage of busy shoppers who are in a hurry. But don’t worry—staying safe online doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s how you can protect yourself while enjoying everything the season has to offer.
Shop Smarter Online
Protect Your Passwords
Let’s start with the basics: passwords. Weak passwords are the cause of most data breaches, so don’t let “password123” ruin your holidays! Use strong, unique passwords for all your accounts, and if that sounds like a lot of work, grab a password manager to do the heavy lifting for you.
I suggest using a longer, easy to remember passphrase. For example, “TheSecureDadisAwesome123!” This gives you 25 characters, capital letters, lower case letters, numbers and a special character. Note: this is not my password for anything, but feel free to use it!
Watch Out for Phishing Scams
Scammers love the holidays just as much as you do. They’ll send fake emails pretending to be retailers or delivery services. I have personally seen an uptick in my on inbox since mid-November.
Common tricks include:
Fake shipping notices
“Unbelievable” discounts
Emails asking for personal or payment info
Fake customer service requests
Before clicking on any links, double-check the sender and the URL. You can check the reputation of any URL with URLVOID. This can save you lots of trouble. When in doubt, go directly to the retailer’s website yourself.
Use Safe Payment Methods
Always shop with credit cards or secure payment options like PayPal. These methods offer better fraud protection than debit cards. Plus, review your bank statements regularly to catch any sneaky charges.
Alternatives for using your credit card online:
PayPal
Venmo
Zelle
Stay Safe on Social Media
Think Before You Post
It’s tempting to share vacation plans, gift ideas, or big purchases on social media. But oversharing can make you a target for thieves. Keep personal details off your feed—save those stories for your close friends.
Secure Your Internet and Devices
Avoid Public Wi-Fi for Shopping
Public Wi-Fi is convenient but risky. Hackers can easily intercept your information. If you need to shop or bank online while out and about, use your phone’s hotspot instead of free Wi-Fi. Consider using a VPN to protect your online browsing in public or at home with NordVPN.
Remove Your Online Data
Data brokers are companies that specialize in buying and selling your data. What kind of data are they selling about you? Common information sold by data brokers include:
Home address
Phone numbers
Email addresses
Family members
Work history
Social media accounts
Property value
And so much more!
The good news is that you can delete your private information from these sites with help from DeleteMe. I’ve used them since 2018 and I can attest that it works, you can read my full review here.
Shop Smarter, Not Harder
Stick to Secure Websites
When shopping online, only buy from websites that start with “https” (the “s” means secure). Also, look for the little padlock icon in your browser—it’s a good sign the site is legit.
Beware of Facebook Ads
Scammers know how to tempt you with deals that sound way too good to be true, especially on social media platforms like Facebook. Research unfamiliar retailers and check reviews before hitting “Buy Now.” Stick to reputable sellers to avoid getting scammed.
Play It Safe with Gift Cards
If you’re buying gift cards, be careful. I purchased a fake Apple gift card from a Walgreen’s earlier this year. I was able to get my money back, but it look about 45 days. When shopping for gift cards, ask the cahiers if they’ve had problems with gift cards not working. Usually they know which ones to avoid.
Wrapping It Up Holiday Digital Safety
This holiday season, protecting yourself and your family online doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By using strong passwords, staying vigilant against phishing scams, and shopping only on secure websites, you can shop with confidence and peace of mind.
Don’t forget to adjust your social media privacy settings and avoid oversharing details that could make you a target. Keeping your devices updated and using antivirus software are simple but powerful steps to block cyber threats.
Staying safe online is all about being proactive and informed, so you can focus on what really matters—enjoying the holidays with your loved ones. For even more tips to keep your family secure, sign up for The Secure Dad Newsletter! You’ll get practical information, expert insights, and updates straight to your inbox to help you create a safer, happier home.
