November 1st 2023
HOW TO SHOP ONLINE SAFELY DURING BLACK FRIDAY
Since the Covid pandemic, more people have turned to online shopping. Brick-and-mortar shops see less footfall while e-commerce grows rapidly. This month, retail and e-commerce are expected to face the busiest shopping day of the holiday season. Black Friday.
We’re drawn in with sales, discounts, and one-off offers we can’t miss. These promotions are tempting, but there are a few things you need to consider before pressing ‘buy’. One is, are you at risk of a cyber attack?
In this guide, we’ve compiled tips on how your employees can shop safely online without compromising data security or making your business victim to cyber attacks.
Cyber Attacks Increase On Black Friday Weekend
Consumers spent over £8.7 billion pounds in the UK over the 2022 Black Friday weekend, with £3.9 billion spent in stores. For online shopping, consumers spend significantly more time online, being lured in with deals that seem too good to be true.
As a result, cyber criminals use this time to exploit vulnerable shoppers and infiltrate the large amount of financial data exchanged online.
Your team is at high risk of online shopping scams, including phishing attacks, fake domains and card skimming during Black Friday. These scams can seriously impact your team’s life and put your organisation’s reputation on the line.
4 Tips for Safe Online Shopping
1. Use Strong Passwords and 2FA
Your online defence system starts with a strong password. Poor cyber security, including predictable passwords and the absence of Two Factor Authentication (2FA), will put you at risk. Your employees likely use the same passwords on personal and work accounts, meaning it’s easier for a hacker to access and steal data.
If you have a BYOD policy, you face considerable security risks. With good cyber security and mobile device management (MDM), you will protect your organisation from data breaches.
2. Watch Out for Suspicious Emails and Texts
Train your team to identify potential phishing attacks that could trick them into clicking on malicious links. Fraudulent emails and text messages look legitimate, but there are easy clues to pick up on. For example, misspellings, odd formatting and fake company email addresses.
3. Check for Fake Domains
‘Lookalike domains’ are a prolific method for luring vulnerable online users. Fraudsters create nearly identical, altered domain names to impersonate legitimate brands. They are typically used in phishing emails to steal login credentials or financial information.
Not sure if you’re on a fake domain? Check for spelling mistakes and slight variations in the domain name. A secure site will have a padlock icon in the address bar, signifying it is encrypted with HTTPS.
4. Avoid Buying on Public Wi-Fi
If your team works remotely, they may do some Black Friday shopping during their lunch hours on public Wi-Fi. These networks open your employees to malware, encrypted networks, MITM attacks and more.
Implement a strict work policy that restricts the transfer of confidential data on public networks. Your team should always use a VPN and stick to HTTPS websites in these settings.
Stay Protected with Lily, the IT Security Experts
Thousands of businesses fall victim to cyber crime. Don’t let your business be next. At Lily, we provide a robust IT protection solution, Lily Shield, alongside expert IT security.
Contact our team to discover how we can help you today.