It’s the most magical time of the year again. However, winter holidays come with their own set of dangers, especially in the online world.
This is a time when shopping sprees are in full swing, so there are a few things to keep in mind. There are many high-end purchase scams ongoing, especially with expensive tech gadgets. If you’re an early adopter and you want to treat yourself for Christmas, make sure not to fall for fraudulent holiday discounts and counterfeit listings. Fake delivery updates have also become a thing with the increased e-commerce in West LA. Cybercriminals can exploit this through phishing emails asking for your details and then engaging in porch piracy. If you’re ordering gifts, make sure to pick a secure delivery option. Or keep a smart doorbell camera turned on.
With the extended time off, it feels great to be able to sit down and relax with your favorite phone games. There is a big uptick in people enjoying iGaming around the end of the year so it’s important to keep your security in mind. The best way to stay safe if you play live casino games is to use operators with reputable licensing registered with respectable gambling authorities. Playing on verified platforms is not only secure but also comes with amazing welcome and holiday bonuses.
The latest wave of fake charity scams is another horrible practice. With the latest Franklin Fire scorching thousands of acres and displacing many people from their homes, it’s natural you’d want to help. But if you are making a charitable donation make sure to verify the organization through a trusted resource like Charity Navigator or Cal OES to make sure it’s legitimate and that the money will go into the right hands. Scams themed around holidays and urgent, emotional causes are the ones that work best, so it’s important to stay informed and rational to stay safe.
If you are traveling for the holidays, there are also a few things to consider. Keeping a public profile is great for your social media reach, but make sure not to divulge your location if you’re traveling. While your home is empty it’s exposed to burglary, and yourself for potential identity theft and impersonation. If your house is IoT-heavy, make sure to update all your devices with the latest security updates and strong passwords. If you haven’t already, consider investing in a good password manager.
When using public Wi-Fi, make sure to turn on the VPN for an extra layer of security. Never use a stranger’s charger, as these can “juice jack” your phone and load it with malware that can steal your data or your money. Bring your own or an external battery.
To stay extra safe, it’s always a good idea to follow local alerts like LAPD’s cybercrime division or to use neighborhood apps like Nextdoor to keep yourself updated on cyber threats and ongoing scams.
