Holiday bliss or digital miss?
The holiday season is fast approaching and with it comes the excitement of Black Friday, Cyber Monday deals and shopping for Christmas presents.
These global shopping events have become popular and Namibia has fully embraced the shopping craze. While physical stores remain a go-to for many, the trend toward online shopping is growing steadily. However, this shift to online shopping comes with risks as cybercriminals target unsuspecting shoppers with increasingly unique, sophisticated tricks to dupe unsuspecting online shoppers. Every holiday season the scams become even more elaborate and hard to spot.
Hackers exploit online shoppers through tactics like phishing, ransomware attacks, malware and fake websites that mimic trusted online stores. These fraudulent sites lure users into sharing sensitive information such as personal details and credit card numbers.
It is exceedingly difficult to differentiate the real from fake websites, so vigilance is essential. If you are unsure about shopping from a particular website, take the time to research its legitimacy and always read customer reviews. By staying cautious and informed, you can avoid falling prey to cybercrime and ensure your festive season remains joyful and stress-free.
You can still shop safely online without compromising your security by taking a few proactive measures. It starts with having a robust up-to-date cybersecurity tool. A free virus scanner might seem convenient and cheap, but it often lacks comprehensive protection against evolving cyber threats. Investing just a few bucks a month in a proper cyber-security software package can save a lot of heartache and protect your digital devices and your family's. Following simple practical tips can also keep you safe from scammers.
Practical tips for online shopping:
• Make sure you only buy from trusted sellers and web shops.
• Check for the padlock icon in the address bar, indicating the website is secure.
• Do not save any banking information on a website, however convenient it may seem.
• Do not shop while using a public Wi-Fi network, unless using a proper Virtual Private Network (VPN).
• Create strong passwords with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Strong credentials make it harder for hackers to access your accounts.
• Trust your instincts, if something feels off about the website, exit immediately and avoid using it further.
• If an offer seems to be too good to be true, it must probably is.
Stay informed and vigilant.
Namibia faces challenges in IT security awareness and training, making it necessary to focus on safe online practices, especially during the holiday season. This does not just impact private individuals, but businesses are at risk too.
Compromised security might affect companies as well. Employees and management must be vigilant throughout the year, but especially during this time of year. Your employees may decide to do some of their Christmas shopping at the office, if your cyber security provisions are not up to date, it can adversely affect the whole organisation.
Keep your organisation on high alert and if in doubt about the robustness of your cyber-security protection, engage a cyber-security professional who can assess the issue. It will give you peace of mind, but also possibly protect you from business interruption and financial losses.
Secure your holiday season.
Before diving into online shopping this Black Friday, prioritise your cybersecurity. A little (pre)caution goes a long way in protecting yourself from potential threats. Don’t let online Christmas shopping become a digital miss for you and your loved ones.
Happy, peaceful shopping.
* Illana Erasmus is the Manager: Sales and Marketing at Green Enterprise Solutions.
** Opinion pieces and letters by the public do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial team. The editors reserve the right to abridge original texts. All newspapers of Namibia Media Holdings adhere to the Code of Ethics for Namibian Media, a code established jointly with the Media Ombudsman.
These global shopping events have become popular and Namibia has fully embraced the shopping craze. While physical stores remain a go-to for many, the trend toward online shopping is growing steadily. However, this shift to online shopping comes with risks as cybercriminals target unsuspecting shoppers with increasingly unique, sophisticated tricks to dupe unsuspecting online shoppers. Every holiday season the scams become even more elaborate and hard to spot.
Hackers exploit online shoppers through tactics like phishing, ransomware attacks, malware and fake websites that mimic trusted online stores. These fraudulent sites lure users into sharing sensitive information such as personal details and credit card numbers.
It is exceedingly difficult to differentiate the real from fake websites, so vigilance is essential. If you are unsure about shopping from a particular website, take the time to research its legitimacy and always read customer reviews. By staying cautious and informed, you can avoid falling prey to cybercrime and ensure your festive season remains joyful and stress-free.
You can still shop safely online without compromising your security by taking a few proactive measures. It starts with having a robust up-to-date cybersecurity tool. A free virus scanner might seem convenient and cheap, but it often lacks comprehensive protection against evolving cyber threats. Investing just a few bucks a month in a proper cyber-security software package can save a lot of heartache and protect your digital devices and your family's. Following simple practical tips can also keep you safe from scammers.
Practical tips for online shopping:
• Make sure you only buy from trusted sellers and web shops.
• Check for the padlock icon in the address bar, indicating the website is secure.
• Do not save any banking information on a website, however convenient it may seem.
• Do not shop while using a public Wi-Fi network, unless using a proper Virtual Private Network (VPN).
• Create strong passwords with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Strong credentials make it harder for hackers to access your accounts.
• Trust your instincts, if something feels off about the website, exit immediately and avoid using it further.
• If an offer seems to be too good to be true, it must probably is.
Stay informed and vigilant.
Namibia faces challenges in IT security awareness and training, making it necessary to focus on safe online practices, especially during the holiday season. This does not just impact private individuals, but businesses are at risk too.
Compromised security might affect companies as well. Employees and management must be vigilant throughout the year, but especially during this time of year. Your employees may decide to do some of their Christmas shopping at the office, if your cyber security provisions are not up to date, it can adversely affect the whole organisation.
Keep your organisation on high alert and if in doubt about the robustness of your cyber-security protection, engage a cyber-security professional who can assess the issue. It will give you peace of mind, but also possibly protect you from business interruption and financial losses.
Secure your holiday season.
Before diving into online shopping this Black Friday, prioritise your cybersecurity. A little (pre)caution goes a long way in protecting yourself from potential threats. Don’t let online Christmas shopping become a digital miss for you and your loved ones.
Happy, peaceful shopping.
* Illana Erasmus is the Manager: Sales and Marketing at Green Enterprise Solutions.
** Opinion pieces and letters by the public do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial team. The editors reserve the right to abridge original texts. All newspapers of Namibia Media Holdings adhere to the Code of Ethics for Namibian Media, a code established jointly with the Media Ombudsman.
