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The holidays are here! You’re planning your trip, you’re hitting the online sales, and your credit card is getting a serious workout. But as you juggle boarding passes and shopping lists, cybercriminals are busy, too. The holiday season is a peak time for fraud, phishing, and physical theft because criminals know we are distracted, rushed, and spending money fast.

You need to switch into active security mode. Protecting your financial information during holiday travel and shopping is all about vigilance and establishing smart habits.

Travel Security: Lock Down Your Digital Life

When you travel, your biggest risk isn't turbulence—it's public Wi-Fi and physical vulnerability.

1. Never Trust Public Wi-Fi

That free Wi-Fi at the airport or coffee shop is a massive security hazard. Hackers often set up fake networks or use unsecured connections to eavesdrop on your data. Never log into your bank account, check sensitive email, or shop online using free public Wi-Fi.

• Active Fix: Use your phone’s cellular data instead, or invest in a reliable Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN encrypts your connection, making it unreadable to anyone else on the network.

2. Guard Your Devices and Data Ports

Watch out for physical threats, too. ATM skimming is rampant during the holidays, and a new threat, "juice jacking," targets public USB charging stations.

• Active Fix: When using an ATM, physically cover the keypad when entering your PIN. Avoid using public USB ports to charge your phone; always use the wall outlet and your own charging brick, or carry a power bank.

Shopping Security: Be a Skeptical Spender

Whether you're hitting Black Friday deals or buying gift cards, your biggest enemy is the fake website or the urgent, malicious email.

3. Always Verify the Seller

Scammers create "look-alike" websites that mimic major brands, often with slightly misspelled URLs (e.g., Amzaon.com).

• Active Fix: Don't click links in texts or emails. Type the store’s official website address directly into your browser, or use the official mobile app. Before entering payment info, ensure the address begins with https:// and shows a closed padlock icon.

4. Ditch the Debit Card

During the holiday chaos, only use credit cards for online purchases.

• Active Fix: Credit cards offer far better fraud protection than debit cards. If a credit card is compromised, the bank is usually liable, and your checking account funds remain untouched. If a debit card is compromised, the money is often gone instantly from your checking account, creating a much bigger financial headache.

5. Set Up Transaction Alerts

Don't wait for your monthly statement to spot fraud.

• Active Fix: Log into your bank or credit card portal and enable transaction alerts (push notifications) for any purchase over a small amount, like $1 or $5. If a fraudulent charge hits your account, your phone will buzz immediately, allowing you to call the bank and stop the theft within minutes.

By staying vigilant and implementing these active security habits, you can enjoy the holidays knowing your financial information is secure.

The holiday shopping season—Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Cyber Week, and the weeks leading up to the New Year—is a thrilling time for finding deals. But as you excitedly click through sale emails and search for that perfect gift, remember that you’re wading into the busiest season for cybercriminals, too. These bad actors are masters of […] Read More»