TECH TALK
Shop Smart, Stay Safe: NDMA’s Guide to Secure Online Shopping This Holiday Season
November 2024 – The holiday season brings a surge in online shopping as people hunt for Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Christmas deals. This rush doesn’t go unnoticed by hackers; online breaching attempts spike around these dates, with phishing scams and fraud schemes sharply increasing. According to Forbes, October and November tend to be the most productive months for fraudsters which means that a significant number of holiday shoppers have encountered online fraud attempts during the season.
The Authority is sharing tips to help consumers stay safe while shopping online this holiday season. Online Safety remains a top priority, especially as the risk of data breaches and financial fraud rises. By following a few essential guidelines, shoppers can enjoy the convenience of online deals without compromising their personal and financial security.
One of the first safety measures NDMA recommends is to shop only on secure websites. Consumers should look for sites that display “https” in the URL and have a padlock symbol in the address bar, both of which indicate a secure connection. Sticking to reputable, well-known retailers is a wise choice, as lesser-known or unfamiliar websites may be set up solely to harvest personal information. Fake websites and spoofed URLs are common traps used by scammers, and NDMA emphasizes that shoppers should remain cautious when encountering unfamiliar sites or unusually steep discounts.
Public Wi-Fi is another common convenience that shoppers should avoid when making online purchases. Since public networks are often unsecured, users are a prime target for hackers who can intercept sensitive data like credit card numbers and passwords. NDMA advises consumers to wait until they’re on a private, secure network at home before entering personal information. For those who do need to shop on the go, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a safer alternative as it encrypts internet traffic, making it harder for malicious actors to access.
The authority also highlights the importance of enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) on online shopping accounts. Many major retailers and financial institutions offer this added security feature, which requires a second form of verification, typically a code sent to your phone, before granting account access. Given that cybercrime tactics evolve continuously, adding this layer of protection is particularly effective.
Phishing scams are one of the most prevalent threats during the holiday shopping season, with fake emails and texts offering exclusive discounts or mimicking popular brands. Shoppers should be wary of these messages, particularly those that include links or attachments, as they’re often designed to steal personal information or install malware. NDMA recommends scrutinizing any promotional emails, especially those with urgent calls to action, and verifying any website URLs directly rather than clicking on links.
Monitoring bank statements and credit reports regularly is also an effective way to catch unauthorized transactions quickly. Many financial institutions offer instant alerts, allowing users to receive notifications whenever a purchase is made. NDMA encourages shoppers to enable these alerts for extra vigilance during high-spending periods. Early detection of fraud can be instrumental in minimizing losses, as reporting suspicious activity immediately often allows for the cancellation of transactions before they settle.
The lure of “too good to be true” deals is particularly strong during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but such offers can often lead consumers into scams. Hackers commonly create fake sites to mimic legitimate retailers, drawing in shoppers with extreme discounts on popular products. To avoid falling for these schemes, NDMA recommends checking prices across reputable sites to gauge whether a deal is realistic. Comparing product prices on well-known websites can help identify dubious offers, as legitimate deals generally have limits on discounts.
These guidelines underscore the importance of remaining vigilant and informed, particularly as the holiday shopping season brings unique online deals and risks. By following these safety practices, consumers can protect themselves from the growing number of internet threats. In a time when online shopping offers unparalleled convenience, taking simple precautions can make all the difference in ensuring a safe, secure, and enjoyable holiday season.
Visit our website (https://ndma.gov.gy/ or https://www.getsafeonline.gy/) for invaluable resources to help you stay safe during this season. One especially helpful tool is the “Check a Website” feature on the Get Safe Online site, which lets users check if a website is legitimate before making any transactions.
