2020 has been a year like no other, with the COVID-19 pandemic changing our everyday lives – particularly the way we celebrate the holidays. As a Unit 42 threat researcher, my mind goes to the holiday shopping season and helping consumers stay safe online.
Just as holiday decorations seem to go up earlier and earlier each year, the surge of online shopping seems to start earlier every year too. The existing trend has grown even more pronounced with many retailers advising customers to shop earlier than ever due to potential pandemic-related shipping delays. Amazon Prime Day on Oct. 13 and 14 has become an unofficial start to the holiday shopping season, followed by Black Friday and (of course) Cyber Monday. That all leads into Christmas, Hanukkah and other winter holidays.
However, with an extended holiday shopping season – one that will be predominantly online due to COVID-19 – come more opportunities for cybercriminals to target consumers with a variety of attacks.
To help you avoid the top four threats that consumers should be aware of, here are Unit 42’s 2020 cybersecurity tips for safer holiday shopping.
Protect against ransomware by separating work and personal devices.
2020 has been the year of ransomware. Attackers have been brazen during the COVID-19 pandemic, primarily targeting healthcare organizations, educational institutions and municipalities.
While attackers have largely targeted the enterprise and public sector this year, we may see consumers who are working from home and doi ..
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