Top 10 Holiday Cybersecurity Risks and How to Stay Safe

The holiday season brings an extra level of excitement, with some free time to enjoy and relax, so it's no wonder many consider it one of the busiest times of the year. It often brings increased online activity, from shopping and banking to coordinating travel and sharing with friends and family. Cybercriminals know this fact and use it to take advantage of the busy season. 

Cybercriminals use the holiday season to target individuals and organizations through scams, phishing attempts, and other attacks, as they know many people consider it the best time to slow down and rest. While it is true that there is no time greater than the holiday to take things slow, you can do things that can protect yourself and your loved ones. 

Remember, being aware of how cybercriminals target people can make a huge difference in your safety. Knowing the common threats and taking cautionary steps can help you protect your data, devices, and personal information. 

To help you, this guide lists and explains the top holiday cybersecurity risks and how to stay safe so that you can enjoy the holiday season with confidence. 

1. Phishing and Social Engineering

The holiday season is when many people are busy with shopping, donating, and tracking shipments. That creates a high opportunity for phishing, where attackers impersonate major retailers or delivery services. They send emails or messages with links or attachments that appear to be legitimate holiday deals.

Here is how to stay safe from that:

• Never click links in unsolicited emails or messages

• Verify URLs manually before entering credentials

• Enable multifactor authentication (MFA) on all accounts

2. Fake E-Commerce Sites

Many people love shopping during the holiday season, and a considerable percentage of that is online shopping. The massive surge in online shopping is not something cybercriminals would miss out on targeting more people. So, if you love online shopping, you must know that cybercriminals create fake websites or mobile apps that look like popular retail stores just to steal personal and financial information.

Here is how to stay safe from that:

• Shop only from official sites or known marketplaces.

• Check for HTTPS and ensure the domain spelling is correct.

• Avoid downloading apps from unverified app stores.

3. Delivery and Shipping Scams

Aside from creating fake shopping websites, cybercriminals also exploit online shopping by sending fake notifications about shipment delays and missed packages. Through notifications, they can send you links to their malicious websites. Unknowingly clicking those will compromise your device and personal information. 

Here is how to stay safe from that:

• Track packages through official carrier websites.

• Do not respond to texts requesting personal details.

4. Payment Fraud and Gift Card Scams

Another favorite way of cybercriminals to take advantage of people is holiday gift cards and financial requests. They either impersonate as employers, clients, or vendors to request redirected payments, or they can just compromise payment systems to steal your card details. Financial losses are one of the consequences of falling for this scheme.

Here is how to stay safe from that:

• Verify unusual payment requests verbally.

• Use secure payment gateways and virtual cards.

• Check financial statements frequently.

5. Travel and Public Wi-Fi Attacks

Traveling during the holiday season seems to cause no cybersecurity harm, but in reality, it increases exposure to unsecured Wi-Fi. Cybercriminals can set up fake networks in different places, like airports, hotels, or cafes, with the goal of intercepting communications, stealing credentials, or injecting malware. 

Here is how to stay safe from that:

• Use a trusted mobile hotspot or VPN.

• Disable automatic Wi-Fi connections.

• Avoid accessing financial or corporate systems on public networks.

6. Smart Device and IoT Vulnerabilities

For many people, the holiday season means adding new devices like smart cameras, lights, or toys to their homes. If you are like them, you need to know that these devices often come with outdated firmware and easy, default passwords. That's one thing you need to consider because they often create entry points for attackers to access home networks and launch attacks. 

Here is how to stay safe from that:

• Change default passwords immediately

• Segment IoT devices on a separate Wi-Fi network

• Update firmware regularly

7. Work-from-Home Security Gaps

What's a more suitable time to work from home than the holiday season? Surely, there's not, and that's why working remotely is positively accepted during the busy season. But preparation is important to successfully do this, as home networks and personal devices often lack the same protections as office systems. There's the risk of exposure of important accounts and information in this setup. 

Here is how to stay safe from that:

• Use company-managed devices and VPNs.

• Enforce endpoint security and data loss prevention policies.

8. Charity and Crowdfunding Scams

The holiday season is believed to be a time of giving. It encourages generosity for many, and an opportunity that cybercriminals love to take advantage of by impersonating charities or relief organizations. They exploit people by creating fraudulent sites with links to steal payment details or personal information. 

Here is how to stay safe from that:

• Donate only through verified nonprofit websites.

• Avoid links in social media messages or texts.

9. Ransomware and Business Email Compromise

The holiday season exposes many businesses and organizations to vulnerability as IT staff are reduced and on vacation. It becomes a risky time because attackers can deploy ransomware to encrypt business data that can cause not only operational delay and disruption but also financial losses. 

Here is how to stay safe from that:

• Implement 24/7 monitoring or automated alerting.

• Educate staff to recognize spoofed emails.

• Keep offline, encrypted backups of critical data.

10. Fatigue, Distraction, and “Holiday Mode”

Busy schedules, multitasking, and rushing to meet deadlines or shopping goals that the holiday season causes can later make many people less vigilant and less attentive. With the holiday fatigue and distraction, there's a risk of falling for malicious links, misconfiguring accounts, or bypassing security protocols. 

Here is how to stay safe from that:

• Slow down before responding to emails or offers.

• Use password managers and enable MFA.

• Keep system and browser updates current.

Final Thoughts

Holiday cybersecurity risks may feel too overwhelming and can ruin your vacation, but it doesn't need to be. After all, you can take a few cautionary measures to protect both your personal data and your devices. Also, with awareness, careful habits, and consistent vigilance, you can reduce exposure to cybercriminal schemes and enjoy the season with confidence in your safety. 

If you need help on strengthening your cybersecurity practices and securing your devices, Tala Secure is here. With us, you can enjoy the holiday season with connection and celebration.