{"id":21815,"date":"2022-09-27T19:46:41","date_gmt":"2022-09-28T02:46:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/?p=21815"},"modified":"2025-04-16T01:03:24","modified_gmt":"2025-04-16T08:03:24","slug":"holiday-cybersecurity-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/holiday-cybersecurity-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Holiday Cybersecurity Tips &amp; Tricks"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Holiday cybersecurity often gets forgotten about among the rush of packing, planning, and travel excitement. Yet, it\u2019s one of the most important, and at the same time the easiest to-do list entries to prepare for. Want to know how? We\u2019ll give you <strong>top tips and tricks to protect your devices and data<\/strong> during your holiday to make sipping on a cocktail much sweeter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We even threw in <strong>cybersecurity tips for the holiday season<\/strong>, particularly for safe gift shopping, to save you from scammers pushing under your Christmas tree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-cybersecurity-as-the-1-thing-on-your-holiday-to-do-list\"><strong>Cybersecurity As the #1 Thing on Your Holiday To-Do List<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Eager to go on holiday, you\u2019re less suspicious of possible vulnerabilities you\u2019re exposed to. According to McAfee, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/internet-security\/safe-summer-travels\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">44.5% of holiday-goers<\/a> use unsecured Wi-Fi networks. Yet, over half of survey respondents worry about identity theft! This could show <strong>people don\u2019t know how to protect themselves on holiday<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your smart home is exposed to cyberattacks while you\u2019re away too. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.which.co.uk\/news\/article\/how-the-smart-home-could-be-at-risk-from-hackers-akeR18s9eBHU\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><em>Which?<\/em> recent research<\/a> proved attackers perform <strong>over 12,000 IoT hacking attempts every week<\/strong>. Though most of them are unsuccessful, printers and security cameras tend to be the weakest link in your network. The culprit here is their default username and password.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/fNHKNpdncJZiCj-vF57okyDqJjqZjf2VNZ1WH2bJOcKEdcK5z1v0_c7B3wIwBtFqPBa72dCVCMp-luLVn_lVJZ4PYn-GR_XItoSHodMwWzS-JXuIT2RUf1JvmuFcI2wExURtQg_mtB42924bcbp0ZErJi9ryz8S1zLLanfsWQA7rMxhlUBU_E8cN_Q\" alt=\"\" style=\"width:550px;height:405px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Check you secured your devices before leaving!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If summer scams weren\u2019t enough, you also need to watch over your shoulder during the holidays. Non-payment and non-delivery scams cost their victims <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fbi.gov\/scams-and-safety\/common-scams-and-crimes\/holiday-scams\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">over $265 million in 2020<\/a>, IC3 reports. Credit card fraud lost an extra $129 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019re doomed every time the holiday season comes around. All you need is a few new cybersecurity habits to protect your devices and data from anywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/buy-vpn-online?conversionpoint=holiday_cybersecurity\"><button class=\"bg-btn-1\">Try Private Internet Access <\/button><\/a>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"background-color: #f3f3f3; padding: 10px; border-radius: 25px;\">\n  <h4>Easy and Quick Ways to Protect Your Home on Holiday:\n  <\/h4>\n  <li><a href=\"#update\">Update Software and Download Latest Security Patches<\/a><\/li>\n  <li><a href=\"#change\">Change Your Wifi Name<\/a><\/li>\n  <li><a href=\"#enable\">Enable Strong Encryption on Every Device<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#create\">Create a Data Backup for All Devices<\/a><\/li>\n  <li><a href=\"#passwords\">Change Your Passwords and Enable Two-Factor Authentication<\/a><\/li>\n    <li><a href=\"#shareonline\">Don\u2019t Share Online When You\u2019ll Be Away<\/a><\/li>\n  <\/div> <br><br>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"update\"><strong>Update Software and Download Latest Security Patches<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before departure, check your devices are up to date. Software updates <strong>fix existing vulnerabilities<\/strong> <strong>to stop hackers<\/strong> from breaking into your electronic network.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You should also <strong>enable automatic updates<\/strong>, especially if you forget to download them manually. This regularly scans and downloads the latest updates as you travel, maximizing your cybersecurity.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"change\"><strong>Change Your Wi-Fi\u2019s Name<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/liaKxVO7NYiTNDw_7IuJ-lT1sloaEaTj-adGAsol8ux57hhkOOvw_jlgq_5_RwV8Mf7Eq_67jhfD6Gk1jRWvqg89A86mhojuhRqtKzZz49_OUH4VHB36Br9pfzW_2gdsTR5buphdqyKJk6GYBIIY9dKxIRsSPLGT5X7R8ioL2hyHxdnK6_fdVOoYwQ\" alt=\"\" style=\"width:550px;height:358px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Your Wi-Fi name may create an easy entryway for cybercriminals<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your Wi-Fi\u2019s default name, like TalkTalk123 or SKY4935, lets hackers identify which provider you\u2019re using and research its easiest entry points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Renaming your Wi-Fi to something random, eg. BringPizza4WiFiPassword, <strong>creates a stronger barrier between you and hackers<\/strong>. Why? Because it has no information about you or your ISP. The best thing is you can get creative \u2014 as long as you<strong> don\u2019t use identifiable phrases<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While you\u2019re at it, your Wi-Fi password could also use a refresh \u2014 12 (ideally 16) characters including numbers, uppercase &amp; lowercase letters, as well symbols should do the trick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"enable\"><strong>Enable Strong Encryption on Every Device<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Encryption turns your data into a string of random characters. The combination is impossible to decipher without a digital key, so <strong>cybercriminals won\u2019t glimpse at your information<\/strong>!\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most modern devices have built-in encryption available in their settings. However, you can <strong>boost your data protection with a VPN<\/strong>. Connecting to a VPN adds a layer of encryption to your internet traffic. It also provides better anonymity, because it\u2019s an independent service \u2014 so it doesn\u2019t report to anyone.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/buy-vpn-online?conversionpoint=holiday_cybersecurity\"><strong>install PIA on your router<\/strong><\/a> to protect your entire network without extra charges. Switch it on before you jet off, and you won\u2019t have to worry about hackers taking control of your devices while you\u2019re gone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"create\"><strong>Create a Data Backup for All Devices<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/vqyu5Ak8jx0aFaNZylS22NdZerNHC6eitKEk-xe8Afn0Di62GRkXusvmWS-p17vX7FQ2n70I3PkCysdaqeF74jPpT39qaLjPUHK_Xuqyldsubo9rlpYQw5IYQjHq-5_7flapCM-6CXR4kMAmr4T_RoNVmNDkBayDFTl63HbK6ZvWsbvlVIwjI5nRKg\" alt=\"\" style=\"width:540px;height:405px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A data backup ensures you won\u2019t lose important information no matter what<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What\u2019s worse than losing your devices? Losing documents, photos, videos, and other stored data. Creating a data backup before you leave is an easy way to <strong>save important files to the cloud or external memory<\/strong> so they\u2019re safe even if your devices get stolen, damaged, or misplaced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"passwords\"><strong>Change Your Passwords and Enable Two-Factor Authentication<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you don\u2019t change your passwords every three months, do it before leaving on holiday. Cybercriminals continuously run brute force attacks on online accounts, but you can reset their progress when you <strong>switch up your passwords<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For better protection, <strong>enable multiple-factor authentication<\/strong>. Even if hackers manage to guess your password, the authenticator blocks them as only you can access it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"shareonline\"><strong>Don\u2019t (Over)Share Online When You\u2019ll Be Away<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As exciting as it is, don\u2019t post about your holiday until it\u2019s over. Cyberpunks and other <strong>criminals actively scan social media<\/strong> for any details about when you\u2019re away and mark you as a target.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you can\u2019t wait, <strong>use messaging apps with end-to-end encryption<\/strong>, such as WhatsApp. This hides all messages and lets you securely make your coworkers green with envy \u2014 as long as you have a group chat.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Alternatively, <strong>get stronger encryption on your entire device with a VPN<\/strong>. Doing so keeps you invisible online and stops persistent cybercriminals from leaking your data when you\u2019re using the internet. Including public Wi-Fi!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/buy-vpn-online?conversionpoint=holiday_cybersecurity\"><button class=\"bg-btn-1\">Boost Your Online Security <\/button><\/a>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-best-cybersecurity-tips-for-holiday-endeavors\"><strong>Best Cybersecurity Tips for Holiday Endeavors<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"background-color: #f3f3f3; padding: 10px; border-radius: 25px;\">\n  <h4>Follow These Steps to Avoid Cyberattacks on Holiday:\n  <\/h4>\n  <li><a href=\"#reduce\">Reduce the Number of Devices You Use<\/a><\/li>\n  <li><a href=\"#turn\">Turn On \u201cFind My Phone\u201d Settings<\/a><\/li>\n  <li><a href=\"#disable\">Disable Location Services When You Don\u2019t Need It<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#devices\">Use Your Own Devices, Chargers, Cables, and Power Adapters<\/a><\/li>\n  <li><a href=\"#public\">Don\u2019t Use Public Wi-Fi Unless Absolutely Necessary<\/a><\/li>\n    <li><a href=\"#data\">Watch Out for Over-the-Shoulder Data Thieves<\/a><\/li>\n  <\/div> <br><br>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"reduce\"><strong>Reduce The Number of Devices You Use<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Going on holiday doesn\u2019t mean you need to live off-grid, but you should <strong>limit the devices you\u2019re taking with you<\/strong> to the minimum. Doing so dramatically reduces the risk of losing them or having them stolen.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"turn\"><strong>Turn On \u201cFind My Phone\u201d Settings<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Losing your device is one of the most stressful experiences, whether you misplace it or have it stolen. Luckily, mobile devices come with a handy \u201cFind my phone\u201d feature <strong>letting you pinpoint where your phone or tablet is<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If your devices don\u2019t have it built-in, Google Play and the App Store offer multiple third-party apps with the same functionality. Our top picks include <a href=\"https:\/\/preyproject.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Prey Anti-Theft<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cerberusapp.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Cerberus<\/a>, but the choice is limitless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"disable\"><strong>Disable Location Services When You Don\u2019t Need It<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Navigation often makes it easy for hackers to spy on your location. This applies even to saved locations in your photo gallery!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Use your GPS when navigating unknown territory<\/strong> and turn it off when you don\u2019t need it. You should also refrain from \u201cchecking in\u201d to restaurants, bars, hotels, beaches, and other places you visit on Facebook and social media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"415\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Kic-A51Wqgk\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\" style=\"display: block; margin: auto;\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"devices\"><strong>Use Your Own Devices, Chargers, Cables, and Power Adapters<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s easy to forget your batteries, chargers, or other items necessary to power your devices. The obvious solution seems to be widely available cords in public spaces or even your hotel \u2014 but it\u2019s not smart.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Cables, power adapters, and USB ports may contain malware.<\/strong> They can infect your devices as soon as you plug them in, giving attackers an entry to the entire system.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The same goes for public computers or tablets<\/strong> at hotels or libraries. Even if they\u2019re not malicious, cookies and trackers still record your online activity. If you really need to use a public device, don\u2019t log in to any vulnerable or personal accounts.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/eg78YLsdwhdSKyfksp3LwqA9Y-TZlZvXnfkYibqOkKpyWocb0rA2XJB9ByrcaNXrXFM1ajlqOJx6xU8E17Jv16mKlJlBY-AHY6blbVUel85n-W5EU-W7PXEk0HZyxsK4L824isUUNHcznKIIlG4pjU3Q3t_qPxLZbSj0VIfd2JhLKt1CsH-H2b84hw\" alt=\"\" style=\"width:550px;height:338px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Don\u2019t charge your devices with malware instead of electricity<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"public\"><strong>Don\u2019t Use Public Wi-Fi Unless Absolutely Necessary<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Public Wi-Fi is a playground for snoopers and hackers<\/strong> as they use it to spy on unsuspecting travelers. They often steal any data you share and perform man-in-the-middle attacks \u2014 usually without you noticing. This may even happen on the internet at your hotel.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In an ideal world, you\u2019d use your mobile data when traveling. But since it\u2019s not always possible, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/buy-vpn-online?conversionpoint=holiday_cybersecurity\"><strong>get a VPN to stay safe on public Wi-Fi<\/strong><\/a>. A VPN encrypts the internet traffic passing through your device. It\u2019s a guaranteed way to avoid nasty surprises like identity theft without compromising on your speeds or bandwidth.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As a bonus, a VPN also helps you bypass geoblocks, so you can still access services and sites from back home without issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"data\"><strong>Watch Out for Over-the-Shoulder Data Thieves<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite hackers coming up with more sophisticated attacks every day, traditional <strong>shoulder surfers are still thriving<\/strong>. They often hang out in public spaces, including the pool in your hotel, trying to steal any data you may share by looking over your shoulder.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sometimes it can be difficult to spot them, especially if you\u2019re in a crowded space \u2014 but <strong>you can use cool gadgets to help<\/strong>. My favorite is a screen protector you stick on, which makes your screen completely dark for anyone who\u2019s not looking directly into it. They\u2019re super affordable too!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/buy-vpn-online?conversionpoint=holiday_cybersecurity\"><button class=\"bg-btn-1\">Stay Safe on Holiday <\/button><\/a>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Secure Holiday Season Purchases With Cybersecurity Tricks<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"background-color: #f3f3f3; padding: 10px; border-radius: 25px;\">\n  <h4>Stay Jolly and Avoid Losing Money or Data With These Tricks:\n  <\/h4>\n  <li><a href=\"#credit\">Use Credit Cards or PayPal to Complete Purchases<\/a><\/li>\n  <li><a href=\"#phishing\">Spot Phishing Messages and Avoid Scams<\/a><\/li>\n  <li><a href=\"#shop\">Shop From Verified and Trusted Online Retailers<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#credentials\">Create New Shopping Accounts Using Different Credentials<\/a><\/li>\n  <li><a href=\"#bank\">Check Your Bank Accounts Regularly<\/a><\/li>\n    <li><a href=\"#dodgy\">Be Aware of Dodgy Charities Asking for Donations<\/a><\/li>\n  <li><a href=\"#protection\">Boost Festive Protection With a VPN<\/a><\/li>\n  <\/div> <br><br>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"credit\"><strong>Use Credit Cards or PayPal to Complete Purchases<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The holidays give malicious actors a great opportunity to trick you into purchasing highly discounted items without sending them to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To avoid disappointment, <strong>use credit cards, PayPal, Klarna, or another form of secure payment<\/strong>. These companies let you pay using credit, which you pay off over time. However, if you don\u2019t receive the item or something goes wrong, contact the credit provider and ask them to remove the charge \u2014 so <strong>you won\u2019t lose your money<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"phishing\"><strong>Spot Phishing Messages and Avoid Scams<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s easier to disguise a phishing message among holiday marketing emails, so you need to learn how to spot a fake email, text, or phone call quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before you click on any links, <strong>check the sender\u2019s details<\/strong>. Watch out for spelling mistakes or random capitalization in the middle of a word. You should also verify it came from a real company by looking up their contact details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Phone calls are trickier as you can\u2019t confirm how legitimate they are straight away. Even if your phone shows a Caller ID, <strong>refrain from sharing your details over the phone<\/strong>. Instead, hang up and call the retailer using the number found on its website.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"shop\"><strong>Shop From Verified and Trusted Online Retailers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/WDONrpIum8YIsjwtPgJTXkZRJF0vvsnsE3oM__DHddNvnOp9U5iX0BTdp5Sps25VzZKzJyGuPJkTToHkQ3tHgP7J6hNoEcV6FUNNcJv3ranuu79CkLFQU_cH95RfeTDQpinOe-yzZ8RW5pwnoaGNpL_ZbWgqPKJL8S6a5w5aabJ9hctV6Cc9hI-QyQ\" alt=\"\" style=\"width:550px;height:342px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Supporting small shops is great, but make sure they\u2019re safe<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When shopping online, pay attention to URLs. <strong>Secure websites have \u201c<\/strong><strong><em>https:\/\/\u201d<\/em><\/strong> at the front, which means the platform protects you with encryption. \u201c<em>Http:\/\/\u201d <\/em>is not the same thing \u2014 the <em>\u201cs\u201d<\/em> indicates a site\u2019s security.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Scan the URL for spelling changes<\/strong> too. Scammers often create legit-looking domains for skim readers, like Amaz0n.com. Since they also rush making malicious sites, you\u2019ll likely spot multiple grammar mistakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re not sure, <strong>use Whois Domain and TrustPilot<\/strong>. They\u2019ll tell you who created the website and whether people had a good experience with it.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"credentials\"><strong>Create New Shopping Accounts Using Different Credentials<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When you\u2019re buying from a new website, create a new account using a separate email and a unique password. <strong>Don\u2019t repeat your login details<\/strong> from other sites. This stops a cybercriminal from logging into all of your accounts when they get details for one.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"bank\"><strong>Check Your Bank Accounts Regularly<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even if you don\u2019t think it\u2019s a scam, make it a habit to <strong>check your outgoing payments regularly<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It can be extremely difficult to spot anything malicious, yet you may hand your payment details into the wrong hands. Checking for suspicious withdrawals helps stop scammers from stealing money from your bank account before it\u2019s all gone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"dodgy\"><strong>Be Aware of Dodgy Charities Asking for Donations<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/iGI-3VXDn_9LdI5GWuEB7mLxMSWKgm5CVw7HVlZuIqFsXzt062egzwjAJJUQVtYsJ6DEsvlJ7MMpkDP74GCAlGBXABWc6n2OprJ-UI5aHbvZf-eUwYXaZ3jWdG-ylq-GHNiEhEhf2OpyAQWsMq0mu8tpIL0LJ5l0wZNYHYQqa2JtDm4wrWa_DUOK0Q\" alt=\"\" style=\"width:550px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Anyone can start a charity \u2013 watch out who you\u2019re helping!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sharing is caring, but do you know where your donations end up when you throw a coin into a collection bucket? Many charities actually take a big percentage of it for themselves. <strong>Do your research before donating<\/strong>, as your goodwill gesture may fill the pockets of those who don\u2019t need it.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Regardless of its legitimacy, <strong>don\u2019t enter into any direct debit agreements <\/strong>and <strong>avoid making bank transfers<\/strong>. You can take a leaflet with the details, but you still need to find out the who, what, and how of the charity you intend to help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"protection\"><strong>Boost Festive Protection With a VPN<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Connecting to a VPN server <strong>prevents would-be hackers from stealing your credentials<\/strong> as you\u2019re getting your family\u2019s dream gifts. It anonymizes your real location by changing your IP address and encrypting your traffic. This means no one can see any of your personal details, no matter which websites you visit.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Moreover, <strong>credible VPNs (like PIA) use a No Logs policy<\/strong>. We don\u2019t monitor, collect, or share your data with anyone, keeping your shopping history 100% private. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/buy-vpn-online?conversionpoint=holiday_cybersecurity\"><strong>Get Private Internet Access for a safe holiday season<\/strong><\/a> and test it risk-free on all devices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Enjoy Your Holiday Knowing Your Devices Are Safe<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These easy cybersecurity tips and tricks will help you relax and have fun on your well-deserved holiday. Though you don\u2019t have to apply all of them, try to<strong> follow as many as possible for maximum protection<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The key is to <strong>be vigilant at all times<\/strong>, whether you\u2019re at home filling up stockings or working on a tan in Mexico. Cybercriminals never sleep \u2014 and the holiday season is their party time.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/buy-vpn-online?conversionpoint=holiday_cybersecurity\"><button class=\"bg-btn-1\">Get Private Internet Access <\/button><\/a>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>FAQ<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What are the most common holiday cybersecurity risks?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/what-is-phishing-and-how-do-i-prevent-it\/\">Phishing<\/a>, social engineering, malware, and identity theft lead the way as the most popular threats around holidays.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not all cybersecurity risks are quite so direct. If you don\u2019t secure your smart home, you may return to a malicious global botnet. This means your fridge, speakers, cameras, and other IoT devices could be partaking in <strong>DDoS or man-in-the-middle attacks<\/strong> as we speak.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How can you protect your cybersecurity on holiday?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Refrain from using public Wi-Fi.<\/strong> Free networks let hackers break into unsecured devices and install spyware. Foreign countries may also have a questionable outlook on surveillance, sending your data who-knows-where.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/buy-vpn-online?conversionpoint=holiday_cybersecurity\"><strong>Use PIA<\/strong><\/a><strong> <\/strong>before connecting to a public network to hide your internet activity from possible snoopers and keep your data private. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/vpn-features\/vpn-encryption\">VPN encryption<\/a> prevents unauthorized malware installations and stops viruses from nestling into your devices behind your back.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Is Private Internet Access useful when traveling?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes! <strong>PIA protects all your devices<\/strong>, so you don\u2019t have to worry about cyberattacks and scams.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/vpn-server\">PIA\u2019s global server network<\/a> comes with military-level security, using 256-bit AES encryption, best VPN protocols, a Kill Switch, and a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/vpn-features\/no-logs-vpn\">No Logs policy<\/a>. These give you the<strong> complete protection and anonymity<\/strong> you need to avoid nasty holiday surprises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What are the most important IoT safety tips when leaving home?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The best (and easiest) IoT safety tip when you\u2019re going on holiday is to <strong>install an IoT VPN to protect your network<\/strong>. IoT vulnerabilities lie in its constant connection to the internet, so focus on securing your Wi-Fi before anything else.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Second, <strong>update IoT software<\/strong> in your home. This patches up weak spots and boosts your network protection. It also helps to <strong>enable two-factor authentication<\/strong> on IoT mobile apps and change your passwords before you leave.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Looking for simple holiday cyber security tips &#038; tricks? Check out how you can protect your devices and data at home and while traveling. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":74,"featured_media":21816,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_stopmodifiedupdate":false,"_modified_date":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[845],"tags":[2669,1407,1520,661,401,2671,2672,85,2638],"class_list":["post-21815","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guides","tag-holiday","tag-backup","tag-cyber","tag-data","tag-encryption","tag-info","tag-protection","tag-security-2","tag-tips"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.9 (Yoast SEO v26.9) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>The Best Holiday Cybersecurity Tips &amp; Tricks<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Looking for simple holiday cyber security tips &amp; tricks? 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Check out how you can protect your devices and data at home and while traveling.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/holiday-cybersecurity-tips\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"PIA\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/privateinternetaccess\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-09-28T02:46:41+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-04-16T08:03:24+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/chen-mizrach-jL6PTWI7h18-unsplash.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1600\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"902\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Julia Olech\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@buyvpnservice\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@buyvpnservice\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Julia Olech\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"13 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/holiday-cybersecurity-tips\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/holiday-cybersecurity-tips\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Julia Olech\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/c7236764ebb74cd72528692898beec02\"},\"headline\":\"The Best Holiday Cybersecurity Tips &amp; Tricks\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-09-28T02:46:41+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-04-16T08:03:24+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/holiday-cybersecurity-tips\/\"},\"wordCount\":2631,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/holiday-cybersecurity-tips\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/chen-mizrach-jL6PTWI7h18-unsplash.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"#holiday\",\"backup\",\"cyber\",\"data\",\"encryption\",\"info\",\"protection\",\"security\",\"tips\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Guides\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/holiday-cybersecurity-tips\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/holiday-cybersecurity-tips\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/holiday-cybersecurity-tips\/\",\"name\":\"The Best Holiday Cybersecurity Tips & Tricks\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/holiday-cybersecurity-tips\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/holiday-cybersecurity-tips\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/chen-mizrach-jL6PTWI7h18-unsplash.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-09-28T02:46:41+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-04-16T08:03:24+00:00\",\"description\":\"Looking for simple holiday cyber security tips & tricks? 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