This holiday season will present some unique cybersecurity risks. Managing the transition from the office to the kitchen table has required the world collectively to adapt to an unanticipated convergence between our workstations and family space.
The holidays will no doubt exacerbate this balancing act, as will the additional holiday electronic messaging and travelling schedules (including email tagging on the road or using foreign Wi-Fi connections).
During 2021, there was an increase in ransomware attacks occurring on holidays and weekends—when offices are normally closed and when professionals are travelling or working remotely. A new study by cybersecurity company BlueVoyant shows that the supply chain is a magnet for cyber breaches, and both companies sand holiday shoppers alike must remember to tread carefully.
To help prevent these attacks from happening, here are our recommended security tips to keep up with cyber security while travelling during the holidays.
1. THINK BEFORE YOUR CLICK ON HOLIDAY PROMOTIONS
Stay alert for scams and suspicious emails in your inbox for shopping deals and holiday e-cards. Follow your regular security protocols for phishing tactics and don’t click on any links or attachments without researching the email content beforehand.
2. SHOP ONLINE WITH CAUTION
Crazy discounts on products can actually be too good to be true. What might seem like a significant markdown on a laundry machine your mother always wanted could very well be a scam. Don’t be fooled by unknown retailers and fake websites that trick consumers into giving their personal information to a hacker. What you thought was an incredible deal can end up costing you unusual bank withdrawals from cyber criminals who have obtained your account information.
3. BACKUP YOUR DATA ON ALL DEVICES
If you’re travelling during the holidays and taking your devices along with you, back up your files on an external hard drive or cloud source. If you misplace or damage any device while you’re away, you want to make sure you can recover your files later on. If there are sensitive documents that you don’t need to bring along with you, then don’t bring them on that device. Be sure to travel light without documents that can cost you or your business damage from a cyber attack.
4. LOCK AND AUTHENTICATE
Choosing strong passwords and pins is a necessary security measure to prevent your device’s content from being accessed by an attacker. For an additional line of protection, activate double-authentication to get notified when your accounts are being accessed from unknown sources. This will require identification in the form of a fingerprint, SMS text, alternate email or secondary passcode.
5. STAY ALERT ON PUBLIC WIFI
Always be careful when connecting to public WiFi hotspots, even when the network seems safe. On shared public networks, hackers can get access to your usernames and passwords, so you will want to limit your activity. Make sure you are not accessing your bank accounts, making online reservations or purchasing items while you’re connected. This activity can make your financial information trackable for hackers also in the same network.
6. UPDATE YOUR DEVICE
Make sure all your devices are up to date with the latest operating systems and security updates. Out-of-date systems can contain vulnerabilities for cyber criminals to break in. Turning on automatic system updates for your device and browser will help block off the gaps allowing hackers to plot their attacks.
7. AVOID PUBLIC USB PORTS
Infecting public USB ports is a common travel hacking trend called “juice jacking.” To avoid getting hacked, always use an AC power brick when in public locations. Criminals install malware through public ports in airports, train stations, hotels and other open spaces so be sure to never plug your USB cable directly into those sources..
For more information about Reis Informatica’s cybersecurity services, contact us here and make sure you schedule your Complimentary Christmas Consultation!
