Staying Safe Online this Festive Season
As the holiday season approaches, many people are gearing up for increased online activities, from shopping to gaming and social media use. However, this period also brings a significant surge in cyber threats. With cyber attacks increasing by a staggering 30-40% during holiday periods, it's crucial to understand the risks and take steps to protect yourself online.
The festive season is a perfect storm for cybercriminals. In 2023, UK businesses faced approximately 7.78 million cyber attacks, and this number is expected to rise during the holidays. Last Christmas, UK shoppers lost over £11.5 million to fraudsters, with an average loss of £695 per victim.
How can you stay online this festive season?
Secure Your Accounts
- Create Strong Passwords: Use complex, unique passwords for each account. Consider using a reputable password manager to help manage multiple passwords securely. With over 24 billion sets of usernames and passwords currently for sale on the dark web, it has never been more important to keep control of your credentials.
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) Add an extra layer of security to your accounts by enabling 2FA. This simple step can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorised access.
Verify Website Security
Only shop or play on sites with HTTPS as a URL prefix and a padlock icon. These features signify that communications between your browser and the website are encrypted, protecting sensitive data from cyber threats. If you're exploring gambling platforms, it's equally important to prioritize security.
For example, you can look at the best non GamStop casinos by clicking this link, where SSL encryption and advanced security measures are standard practices to ensure safe gaming. Taking these precautions can give you peace of mind, knowing that these online casinos ensure your personal and financial information is secure. Always prioritize trusted platforms like these to enhance your online experience without unnecessary risks.
Use Secure Payment Methods
Credit cards often offer better fraud protection than debit cards. Consider using secure payment services like PayPal for added security. Remember, 37% of data breaches in retail involved stolen payment card data in 2022.
Avoid Public Wi-Fi
Public Wi-Fi networks are often unsecured. Use a VPN if you need to make transactions or access sensitive information on public networks.
Stay Alert
- Be Wary of Too-Good-To-Be-True Deals: If a deal seems unrealistically good, it probably is. Be especially cautious of deals promoted on social media or through unsolicited emails.
- Check for Legitimacy: Be wary of websites ending in .net or .org when shopping. Always verify the legitimacy of a website before making a purchase. Typosquatting, where attackers create fake websites with similar domain names to legitimate ones, is a common tactic during the festive season.
- Monitor Your Accounts: Check your banking statements for any unusual activity regularly. Early detection of fraudulent transactions can prevent further damage.
Keep Your Devices Secure
Update your operating system to ensure your devices are running the latest version of their operating systems. These updates often include crucial security patches.
Try to install and update antivirus software and keep it current to protect against malware and other cyber threats. Additionally, be cautious with downloads and avoid downloading software or clicking on links from unknown sources, as these can often contain malware.
Protecting Vulnerable Groups
It's worth noting that certain age groups are more susceptible to online scams. Those aged 30-39 submitted the largest number of reports last year (23%), closely followed by 40-49-year-olds (20%). The average age of victims was 42. Educating these groups about online safety is particularly important.
The Growing Threat Landscape
DDOS Attacks
The retail and particularly the gaming industry has experienced a dramatic 94% increase in layer 7 distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks over the past year. During the festive season, particularly in December, these attacks become even more frequent. December 2023 saw over 25 billion Layer 7 DDoS attacks. Between December and January, attempted ransomware attacks rose by 70%.
Phishing Attacks
Phishing remains the most prevalent form of cyber attack, with 90% of UK businesses experiencing such incidents. During the holidays, there's a notable increase in festive-themed phishing emails. In fact, Christmas-themed phishing attacks leapt by 327% during Black Friday week in 2024. Alarmingly, over 70% of phishing emails were opened by recipients in 2023, especially during periods like Black Friday and Christmas when consumers are bombarded with promotional emails.
Online Shopping Fraud
Online shopping and auction fraud accounts for 21% of all reported cases, with 66,787 incidents recorded over a 13-month period. These scams resulted in £106 million in losses, with victims losing an average of £1,587 per case.
In 2020, UK victims lost £63.8 million to online shopping fraud, with a significant portion occurring during the holiday season. This is a 37% increase from the previous year, with the average loss per victim being £720.
Social Media Scams
Social media platforms are increasingly being used for scams, with 43% of reported incidents citing a social media platform as the source. Cybercriminals are even offering seasonal discounts on compromised data, with some Dark Web marketplaces offering up to 40% off on stolen online banking and e-commerce accounts.
