Security expert Robert Siciliano breaks down 12 holiday scams to watch for, from phishing emails and fake charity sites to bogus travel deals. He recommends checking for HTTPS on websites, keeping antivirus software updated, and avoiding suspicious links.
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The holidays are full of spending. In fact, holiday sales are expected to reach over $6 billion this year. But we've also seen a lot of data breaches lately with stores like Target and Home Depot being attacked by hackers. While shoppers can't avoid data breaches, there are some scams to look out for this season. And here to tell us about the 12 scams of the holidays is security expert Robert Siciliano. Good morning. Good morning. Now, what are the scams shoppers are most likely to come across this season while shopping online?
Yeah, well, certainly receiving emails that look like they're coming from legitimate entities. You know, you get an email that looks like it's coming from a retailer with some too-good-to-be-true offer, and next thing you know, you start clicking links or you start downloading stuff, and very well you might infect your device with malware, malicious software. So always be wary anytime you receive any type of an email from anyone for that matter. Be careful clicking links, and if you do visit like a website that looks like it might be a retailer, it could be a spoofed or even fake website. And once you start entering your credit card information, well, you may end up paying for the lifestyle of an identity thief.
Yikes. I, as a victim, that is just horrible. I know what that's like. Now tell us about the 12 scams of the holidays and the types of tactics scammers might use?
Well, in general, they're looking for people that are unsuspecting, unaware. You know, they'll send you an email that looks like it's coming from a charity, maybe even a charity of your choice. And once you go to this particular website, you enter your credit card information. You know, you very well could be, uh, you know, supplying that to criminals. Also, if you are deciding that you might want to travel over the holidays, you might go online search out some offers for holiday travel. Sometimes these might be too-good-to-be-true offers, and again, giving your information to criminals. And then, you know, you might have ongoing communications with, you know, different retailers over the web. You always have to make sure that your devices have updated antivirus, anti-spyware, anti-phishing, and a firewall. Making sure that your critical security patches are also updated. And in the address bar where it says HTTP, make sure it says HTTPS. That way you know you're entering your credit card into a secure website. And where can we go very quickly, very quickly, where can we go for more information? Go to McAfee.com to learn more about your personal protection.
Thank you so much for joining us. That was very helpful information.
