Holidays can be a stressful time for families, especially with gift shopping. Responsive Technology Partners wishes everyone a happy holiday free from stress. Here are some tips to help you have the happiest holiday yet.  

 

  1. Update devices

Updating your devices can help prevent malware attacks and keep your device secure. “Before picking out that perfect gift, be sure that all internet-connected devices ‒ including PCs, smartphones and tablets ‒ are free from malware and infections by running only the most current versions of software, web browsers and other apps.” (NCDIT). You can always get assistance with these tasks from a technology professional. 

 

  1. Use secure Wi-Fi

Be careful of the network you are using. “Using free public Wi-Fi to shop online while at your favorite coffee shop is tremendously convenient, but it is not cyber safe. Don’t make purchases while connected to public Wi-Fi; instead use a virtual private network (VPN) or your phone as a hotspot.” (NCDIT).  

 

  1. Monitor accounts

Keep up with all online accounts to prevent fraud. “Check your online financial accounts regularly for suspicious spending. Also, take advantage of text and email alerting services that many banks and credit card companies now offer.” (NCDIT).  

 

  1. Beware of payment

Don’t be careless with your payment method. “Use a credit card or pre-paid debit card instead of a debit card linked to your bank account. Or, use a reliable, established third-party payment service, such as Google Pay, Apple Pay or PayPal.” (NCDIT).  

 

  1. Incident Response Team

“Before you head out for the holidays, know who can be called in if a cyber incident happens. You should clearly establish, in writing, who’s on call and when. On-call team members should be available 24/7. Well-organized incident response teams should already understand their roles and responsibilities. Still, given how hectic the end of the year can be, it’s worth confirming who will be responsible during the holidays.” (Security Intelligence).  

 

  1. Downloads, clicks, messages, and emails

“Social engineering attacks continue to generate good results for cyber criminals. So be wary of any and all communication, even if it appears that it comes from a trusted source. If a request sounds fishy, stop and examine the entire context carefully: Who is the message coming from? Is the email address or domain name valid? Look again. Slight misspellings and typosquatting attacks can escape detection if you are in a hurry to get out the door.” (Security Intelligence).  

 

Want to learn more about improving cyber security? Responsive Technology Partners is the leading cyber-security expert in the Athens, Metter, Milledgeville, Vidalia, and Atlanta, Georgia areas. We also have locations in Tampa, Florida, Roanoke, Virginia, and Raleigh South Carolina. Service offerings include I.T. support, cyber-security and compliance, telephony, cloud services, cabling, access control, and camera systems. Our company’s mission is to provide world-class customer service through industry leading I.T. solutions that make every customer feel as if they are our only customer. Please visit our website to learn more: https://www.responsivetechnologypartners.com/. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sources: 

NCDIT. https://it.nc.gov/resources/cybersecurity-risk-management/cybersecurenc/tips/holidays 

Security Intelligence. https://securityintelligence.com/articles/5-cybersecurity-tips-for-holiday-cyberattacks/\