The lead up to Christmas is the biggest spending season of the year.
This is something that cyber criminals are aware of too, as they use phishing emails to entice consumers into logging into fake websites, handing over their details.
These fraudulent purchases can use up available credit or get cards locked down for fraud, keeping consumers from doing the shopping they need to get done.
Additionally, the hassle and stress of dealing with stolen credit card information of fraudulent purchases is not something anyone needs to be dealing with during the holidays.
Attacks targeting the retail industry have increased by 15% in the first quarter of 2020, according to McAfee’s July Quarterly Threats Report.
Many retailers may not be ready for a cyberattack. Jacequeline Jayne, Security Awareness Advocate APAC at KnowBe4 lists top things that retailers can do to be safe throughout the upcoming sales.
- Patch all software and check that your networks are safe from vulnerabilities.
- Communicate with vendors and ask them what they have in place for cybersecurity.
- Take their employees through new-school security awareness training, to avoid falling for scams and social engineering attacks in both their personal and professional lives.
- It would be advisable for them to educate their customers on what to look out for to avoid being scammed. All online retailers should have a page on their website dedicated to communicating with their customers on any scams that have been reported.
- Using social media is also a great way to keep customers up to date with scams and can also be used as a platform to educate on staying safe online.
- Educate customers who come into your physical stores on staying safe online and shopping safely.
To learn more, head to the KnowBe4 website, or the McAfee website.