The holiday season means many more transactions than usual, both in person and online. This high volume of online shopping means an increased risk of attacks by hackers. Here are four tips to keep you safe while shopping online, whether you’re buying seasonal gifts for clients or presents for loved ones.

1. Avoid Public Wi-Fi When Making Transactions

Public Wi-Fi is convenient when you’re out and about, but it’s far less protected than your secured home or office network. Make sure to wait until you’re connected to a secure network (one that requires a password) to access sensitive information or make any financial transactions. If that isn’t an option, use your mobile data while making your purchases. Making sure your connection is secure will greatly decrease your risk of hackers swiping your banking details.

2. Skip The Ads And Visit Sites Directly

While flashy ads offering great holiday deals can catch your attention, clicking on them means running the risk of getting scammed. It’s easy for cybercriminals to create phishing ads that look legitimate at first glance but will instead take you to a fraudulent website and track your data. Instead, go directly to the website you’d like to visit by typing the URL into your browser. This will keep your personal information safe and ensure you reach only legitimate websites while conducting your holiday shopping.

3. Keep Your Digital Wallet Secure

Digital wallets are convenient tools, allowing you to quickly use your card both in person and online. They encrypt your account details to make sure your card numbers are not shared. That said, securing your digital wallet is critical. Make sure to protect it with a strong password and biometric locks, such as fingerprint or facial recognition. This ensures that even if your phone is stolen or lost, another person won’t be able to access and empty your bank account.

4. Use Safe Purchasing Methods

If you can, use a credit card instead of a debit card when shopping online. There are laws to limit your liability for fraudulent credit card charges, but fewer protections in place for debit cards. Additionally, debit cards draw money directly from your bank account, meaning that unauthorized charges could leave you without the money you need to pay your bills. It’s also best practice to keep an eye on your credit card and bank statements, especially during periods when you’re making high volumes of purchases, such as the holiday season.

We hope these tips help keep you and your team secure while shopping this holiday season. To ensure your business is secure, schedule a call with our team here: https://www.guardiansolutionsit.com/free-network-assessment/