The holiday season often means a surge in online activity—whether it’s shopping, end-of-year communications, or seasonal promotions. Unfortunately, this uptick also brings a higher risk of cyber threats, as criminals take advantage of the busy period to target businesses and individuals alike.
For businesses, staying on top of cyber security during this time isn’t just sensible—it’s crucial. And let’s be honest, most of these tips will do wonders for your personal online safety too. So, pop the kettle on and settle in as we guide you through staying safe this holiday season.
Beware of Holiday-Themed Phishing Scams
The holidays — the season of… apparently, phishing. Cyber criminals love this time of year, crafting festive traps like urgent deals and fake greetings to reel you in. Here’s how to stay one step ahead:
- Be Wary of Too-Good-To-Be-True Holiday Deals: Did you just get an email offering 90% off the latest gadget? Red flag! Check the sender’s email address and avoid clicking on any links unless you’re absolutely sure it’s legit.
- Spot Fake Seasonal Greetings: That unexpected “holiday cheer” email from an unfamiliar address? Treat these with caution and don’t click on anything suspicious.
- Watch Out for Phishy 🤣 HR Emails: End-of-year benefits or Paid Time Off updates might seem normal, but scammers know how to make these look legit. Always verify HR-related emails directly with your company.
Pro Tip: Train your team to report suspicious emails to IT or management instead of playing detective themselves. It’s a team effort!
Stay Safe While Shopping Online
Who doesn’t love scoring holiday deals from the comfort of their couch? But cyber criminals are out there, too, hoping to trick you into giving up your credit card details. Keep your business and personal info safe with these shopping tips:
- Stick to Trusted Websites: If you’ve never heard of a site before, maybe don’t trust it with your credit card. Always check for "https://" and the little padlock icon in the URL.
- Use Secure Payment Methods: No bank transfers, please! Credit cards and trusted platforms like PayPal have your back with added protections.
- Think Twice About Outrageous Deals: If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Fake discount sites are a dime a dozen, so shop smart and stick to official retailers.
- Loads of great reviews!: Sure they are legit? Many great reviews may add legitimacy to what also looks like a great deal.
- Limit Company Card Use: For businesses, keeping company credit cards in trusted hands and monitoring transactions is a no-brainer. Avoid the holiday headache.
Essential Cyber Security Measures for the Holidays
Beyond dodging scams, there are a few evergreen cyber security practices you should double down on during the holidays:
- Update Everything: Software updates are annoying, yes, but they’re your first line of defence. Don’t ignore them—especially during high-risk seasons.
- Password Hygiene Matters: Make your passwords long, strong, and unique. Seriously, “password123” won’t cut it. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is even better.
- Limit Data Access: Sensitive information should stay on a need-to-know basis. Regularly audit permissions to keep access tight.
- Cyber Security Training Is a Must: A little refresher on holiday-specific scams can save you a lot of grief later. Keep your team in the loop and on their toes.
Download Our Holiday Season Reminders Sheet
Want a quick cheat sheet to keep your team in the know? We’ve got you covered! Our Holiday Season Reminders sheet is packed with easy-to-remember tips for spotting phishing emails, staying smart while shopping online, and sticking to cyber security best practices. Print it out, stick it up, and make it impossible to ignore.
DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE REMINDERS SHEET HERE: Stay Cyber Safe This Holiday Season
Create a Culture of Cyber Awareness
Here’s the thing: your employees are your secret weapon in the fight against cyber threats. When everyone’s alert, cautious, and proactive, it’s a lot harder for scammers to slip through the cracks. Encourage your team to slow down, think twice about emails and offers, and report anything fishy.
Stay vigilant this holiday season—it’s the best way to keep your business (and your sanity) intact.