Top Tips for Safe Online Holiday Shopping

Top Tips for Safe Online Holiday Shopping

Author: Jeff Weeks, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer

The holiday season is a peak time for online shopping, making it a prime time for cybercriminals. To help ensure your online shopping experiences are safe and enjoyable, follow these useful tips:

The Basics

Before you begin your online seasonal shopping, ensure your computer, smartphone, and any other devices you use for online shopping are up to date with the latest security patches and software updates. This helps protect against vulnerabilities that cybercriminals may exploit.

Shop on Secure Websites

When shopping online, always check that the website starts with “https://”. This indicates that the website encrypts any information you provide, helping to keep your data secure. It’s also important to protect your online shopping accounts. Use unique and strong passwords for your accounts and enable multi-factor authentication wherever possible.

Use a Secure Network

Avoid making purchases when connected to public Wi-Fi networks, which may not be secure. Instead, use a private, password-protected network whenever possible to safeguard your information.

Be Wary of Deals That Are Too Good to Be True

Cybercriminals often lure shoppers with incredibly low prices on popular items. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Stay cautious and avoid falling for these traps. For example, if you receive a social media advertisement or email with a link to a great deal but you are unfamiliar with the company, research the company and don’t shop from the link provided. Instead, verify that the company is legitimate and find the URL for the company’s website independent of the link provided.

Avoid Shipping Scams

Be cautious of shipping scams in which cybercriminals pose as delivery service representatives from well-known companies like UPS, USPS, or FedEx. Bad actors use this time of year, when most people are expecting packages and are in a hurry to get them, to catch people off guard. If you receive a suspicious email, text, or phone message about a package, go to the delivery carrier's website directly or use the retailer's tracking tools to verify the sender's identity.

Shop Online with Credit Cards Instead of Debit Cards

Credit cards often offer better fraud protection than debit cards in many cases. If your card information is stolen, credit cards limit your liability for unauthorized charges, providing an extra layer of security.

Regularly Check Your Bank and Credit Card Statements

Monitor your bank statements regularly for any unauthorized charges. If you notice any discrepancies, report them to your bank immediately to prevent further issues.

Remember, the best way to stay safe while shopping online is to be vigilant and proactive. Happy (and secure) holiday shopping!

About the Author

Jeff has been with First National Bank of Omaha for more than 25 years and is currently the Senior Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer. The executive leadership and oversight provided by Jeff in the development, management, and execution of information security for FNBO enables the company’s ability to posture and protect private, personal information, and assets of the company’s clients, employees, and business partners.