Community Corner

How Online Shoppers Can Guard Against Holiday Cyber Attacks

Steer clear of using unsecured Wi-Fi when shopping on your mobile device, say experts.

Whether you are shopping from your home computer or using your smartphone, consumers should beware of ways criminals are looking to take advantage of their money, says the Baltimore Business Journal.

"Cybergrinches" are already on the attack, flooding email, social media and search results with tainted web links, according to USA Today.

The platforms of choice for hackers are mobile devices and social media networks, the Journal says.

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Smartphone use is on the rise this holiday season, according to a survey by accounting firm Deloitte. They found nearly 7 of 10 smartphone owners plan to use their phone for holiday shopping. Criminals are counting on 1 in 10 holiday shoppers to fall victim to holiday-themed phishing – luring them to click on a tainted link or fill out a bogus form, the Journal said.

To stay safe this holiday shopping season, check out these tipsfrom the Better Business Bureau to help avoid a scam:

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  • Avoid using unsecured Wi-Fi when shopping on your mobile device.
  • Avoid opening emails from people you do not know.
  • Create a strong password for retail websites. Avoid using the same password for multiple websites.
  • Avoid opening an e-card from someone you do not know. It could contain viruses.
  • Make sure your software is up to date – including anti-virus software.
Earlier Patch stories on holiday shopping:
Black Friday Madness: There's an App for That
Black Friday Shopping Guide for Top 9 Maryland Stores


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