5 Ways to Protect Yourself & Your Money This Black Friday
Black Friday weekend is a critical period for retailers, with online sales surging significantly. In South Africa, e-commerce transactions already exceed a billion annually, and the Black Friday to Cyber Monday window sees a massive revenue spike for most businesses. However, this lucrative period for retailers is also a prime opportunity for cybercriminals, and this year, the threat is more sophisticated than ever before. AI-powered tools are enabling scammers to create highly convincing fake deals, making it increasingly difficult to distinguish genuine offers from fraudulent schemes.
Staying Safe During the Shopping Frenzy
Protecting yourself requires vigilance. The days of simply spotting bad grammar as a red flag are gone. You’re now up against polished phishing sites and fake emails designed to perfectly mimic legitimate communication. The massive increase in online transactions, coupled with the pressure to process sales quickly, creates a breeding ground for phishing attacks. Here are five ways to bolster your defenses:
1. Double-Check Website Addresses: Before entering any payment information, carefully examine the website URL. Look for subtle misspellings or unusual domain extensions that might indicate a fake site.
2. Be Wary of Email Links: Avoid clicking directly on links in emails, especially from unknown senders. Instead, manually type the retailer’s website address into your browser.
3. Use Strong, Unique Passwords: Employ strong, unique passwords for all your online accounts and consider using a password manager to keep them secure.
4. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Whenever possible, enable 2FA for an extra layer of security. This makes it significantly harder for hackers to access your accounts, even if they have your password.
5. Monitor Your Bank Statements Regularly: Keep a close eye on your bank and credit card statements for any unauthorized transactions. Report any suspicious activity immediately.
By taking these precautions, shoppers can better navigate the potential pitfalls of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, safeguarding their finances from increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.
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