The deals are digital, the savings are massive, and the risk of online fraud is at its peak. Black Friday and Cyber Monday are when most of your holiday shopping budget goes online, and cybercriminals know it.
Don’t let the rush of a “limited-time deal” lead to a security nightmare. Here’s a breakdown of the biggest online shopping risks and how to ensure your purchases are secure.
The Risks: How Scammers Exploit the Holiday Rush
Cybercriminals rely on two things during the holidays: your distraction and your sense of urgency. Here are the top ways they try to steal your money and data:
| Risk | What It Looks Like |
| 1. Phishing Scams | Fraudulent emails or texts claiming to be from Amazon, PayPal, or a major retailer. They might warn of a “problem with your order” or offer an “exclusive 90% discount,” pressuring you to click a link to “confirm details.” |
| 2. Fake/Look-Alike Websites | Scammers create highly convincing replica websites of popular stores. They often use slightly misspelled URLs (e.g., wallmartdeals.com instead of walmart.com) to trick you into entering your login and credit card information. |
| 3. Malicious Ads (Malvertising) | Ads on social media or search engines that look like legitimate deals but redirect you to a scam site or automatically download malware onto your device. |
| 4. Public Wi-Fi Interception | Making a purchase on a free, unsecured Wi-Fi network (like in a cafe or mall) allows hackers on the same network to intercept unencrypted data, including your passwords and payment details, as you type them. |
| 5. Data Broker Exposure | Behind the scenes, data brokers are constantly scraping and compiling your exposed personal information (address, phone, email) from hundreds of sites. This makes you a prime target for identity thieves and highly targeted phishing campaigns long after the sales are over. |
The Tips: 5 Steps for a Secure Purchase
Making a safe transaction requires a few seconds of vigilance. Follow this checklist before you hit “Checkout” to protect your personal and financial data.
1. Verify the Website’s Security (HTTPS)
Before entering any payment information, look at the address bar:
- Check the URL: The address must begin with
https://(the ‘s’ stands for secure). If it’s justhttp://, your information is not encrypted and is easily viewable by others.
2. Go Straight to the Source (Avoid Clicks)
If you see an incredible deal on social media, in an email, or in a search ad, do not click the link.
- Instead, open a new browser tab and type the official retailer’s URL directly (e.g.,
BestBuy.comorTarget.com). Then, search for the deal on their official site. This avoids look-alike scams.
3. Use Credit Cards (Not Debit) for Better Protection
Credit cards offer superior fraud protection.
- Most major credit cards offer zero liability for fraudulent charges, meaning you won’t lose your money.
- If your debit card is compromised, the stolen funds come directly out of your bank account, creating an immediate financial headache while you wait for the bank to investigate.
4. Secure Your Accounts with Passwords and MFA
A simple, reused password is an invitation for hackers.
- Use Unique Passwords: Use a password manager to create and store a different, complex password for every single online shopping account.
- Enable MFA/2FA: Turn on Multi-Factor or Two-Factor Authentication (a code sent to your phone) for your most critical accounts, especially your email and banking/payment apps.
5. Shop from a Private, Secure Network
Never conduct financial transactions on a public, unsecured Wi-Fi network.
- Use your secure home Wi-Fi or switch to your mobile phone’s cellular data connection when shopping on the go. This keeps your data transmission encrypted and private.
Bonus Tip: Stop Scams Before They Start
The best defense against holiday scams is making your personal information invisible. If scammers can’t find your address, phone number, and email, they can’t target you effectively.
This Black Friday/Cyber Monday, get ahead of the identity thieves. Take advantage of a FREE PC Matic Delist scan to see exactly which data brokers are exposing your sensitive information. Automatically remove your data and significantly reduce the risk of being scammed this holiday season!
