Protect Your Data During the Holiday Season

As the holiday season approaches, many of us are busy shopping online, traveling, and connecting with loved ones through digital platforms. While this time of year brings joy and excitement, it also provides ample opportunities for cybercriminals to exploit vulnerabilities. From phishing scams to identity theft, digital threats tend to surge during this time, making it more important than ever to take steps to protect your personal and financial information.

This article will guide you through common holiday-season data risks and offer practical strategies to help safeguard your information. Drawing on expert insights and current security best practices, we’ll help you stay vigilant and secure.

Common Threats During the Holiday Season

Example: You might receive an email claiming there’s an issue with your online order and asking you to click a link to verify your personal details. These phishing attempts are designed to capture your personal information or install malware on your device.

How to Protect Yourself:

• Be skeptical of emails or texts requesting personal information, even if they appear legitimate. Always check the sender’s email address or phone number.
• Hover over links to reveal the actual destination URL before clicking on them. If it looks suspicious, don't click.
• Use spam filters and antivirus software to reduce the risk of encountering phishing emails.

Identity theft increases during the holiday season as shoppers are more likely to use multiple websites, share personal details, and make purchases from new or unfamiliar retailers. Fraudsters can use stolen information to open new credit accounts, make unauthorized purchases, or commit other financial crimes.

Example: During the holiday rush, you might receive an email stating that your credit card information needs updating on a retail website. The link directs you to a fraudulent site designed to harvest your sensitive data​.

How to Protect Yourself:

• Regularly monitor your financial statements and set up alerts for any unusual transactions.
• Use strong, unique passwords for every account and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) when available.
• Consider freezing your credit if you suspect any suspicious activity, which prevents new accounts from being opened in your name​.

Fake online stores and scam websites proliferate during the holiday season, enticing shoppers with deals that seem too good to be true. These sites often collect payment without delivering the promised goods, or worse, steal your personal and financial information for further exploitation.

Example: A deal on a popular electronics item appears in your social media feed, linking to a website that mimics a legitimate retailer. After entering your payment information, you never receive the product​.

How to Protect Yourself:

• Stick to reputable websites and avoid deals that seem far below market value.
• Verify the legitimacy of unfamiliar retailers by researching customer reviews or complaints.
• Use credit cards instead of debit cards for added protection against fraudulent charges.
• Consider using prepaid Visa cards for online purchases. These cards limit your exposure by only allowing access to the funds loaded onto the card, making them a safe option for protecting your primary accounts during online shopping.

Many of us shop, bank, or check emails while on the go, often using public Wi-Fi networks. These networks are notoriously insecure and can be exploited by hackers to intercept sensitive information, such as login credentials and financial details.

Example: You’re shopping online while waiting for a flight, using public Wi-Fi at the airport. Without your knowledge, a hacker on the same network captures your login credentials and accesses your financial accounts.

How to Protect Yourself:

• Avoid accessing sensitive accounts or making purchases over public Wi-Fi networks.
• Use a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your internet connection when using public Wi-Fi.
• If you must shop on public Wi-Fi, consider using a mobile data hotspot instead.

The holidays are also a time when many people donate to charities. Unfortunately, scammers take advantage of this goodwill by setting up fake charities or crowdfunding campaigns to steal donations.

Example: You receive an unsolicited email from a charity asking for donations to help disaster victims. The email looks legitimate but is actually a phishing attempt to collect your credit card details.

How to Protect Yourself:

• Donate directly through trusted, verified websites, not through unsolicited emails or links.
• Research the charity through platforms like Charity Navigator or the Better Business Bureau to confirm its legitimacy​.
• Be cautious of urgent donation requests, especially those that ask for payment via gift cards or wire transfers.

How Linscomb Wealth Protects Client Data

At Linscomb Wealth, protecting client data is a top priority year-round, including during the holiday season when cyber threats increase. We employ multiple cybersecurity strategies to safeguard client information from unauthorized access​.

Key Measures Linscomb Wealth Implements:

• Robust Security Systems
• Data Encryption
• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
• Employee Training
• 24/7 Monitoring

By employing a multi-layered approach to cybersecurity, Linscomb Wealth works to ensure that client data remains safe and secure, even during periods when online threats are at their highest.

Best Practices for Keeping Your Data Safe

One of the easiest ways to protect your data is by using strong, unique passwords for every account. Avoid reusing passwords across sites, as a data breach on one website can compromise your information on others. Use a password manager to generate and store complex passwords securely​.

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification, such as a text message code or authentication app, to log in to your accounts. Even if a hacker steals your password, they won’t be able to access your account without the second verification step​.

Ensure that your operating systems, antivirus software, and apps are up to date with the latest security patches. Cybercriminals often exploit outdated software to gain unauthorized access to your devices​.

Check your bank and credit card statements frequently for any unauthorized transactions. Setting up automatic alerts can help you quickly identify and report suspicious activity before it escalates.

Stay cautious when receiving unsolicited emails or texts asking for personal information. If an email seems suspicious, don’t click on any links or download attachments. Verify the sender’s identity by contacting the company directly using official communication channels​.

Conclusion

The holiday season is a time for celebration and relaxation, but it's also a period when cybercriminals ramp up their efforts to exploit unsuspecting individuals. By staying vigilant, following best practices, and implementing additional layers of security, you can protect your personal and financial data from falling into the wrong hands. Make cybersecurity a priority this holiday season to enjoy a worry-free time with your loved ones.