Each year the festive season brings crisp mornings, sparkling celebrations, and cosy comforts. Unfortunately, the holiday season often coincides with a peak in cyber-criminal activities including fraud and phishing attempts, and this year is proving to be no exception. The rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI) has put more power in the hands of these criminals, leading to more sophisticated dupes that are harder to spot. Staying well-informed and prepared will give you the best chance of staying safe online.
It’s an important time of year for retail sales, and the convenience and ubiquity of online shopping makes the creation of fraudulent websites a lucrative opportunity for cyber criminals. This year there has been an increased incidence of fake websites that mimic legitimate ones to steal shoppers’ personal information, such as login credentials and payment details. It’s crucial to be vigilant and verify the authenticity of websites before you enter any personal information or carry out a transaction.
For further tips and advice see our 10 steps to cyber success.
Staying Safe This Holiday Season
- Be cautious of unsolicited emails and Teams messages: Phishing attacks often come in the form of emails or Teams messages that appear to be from legitimate sources. Always verify the sender’s identity before clicking on any links or providing personal information.
- Use strong, unique passwords: Ensure that your passwords are strong and unique for each account. Consider using a password manager to keep track of your passwords securely.
- Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA): MFA adds an extra layer of security to your accounts by requiring a second form of verification, such as a code sent to your phone, in addition to your password.
- Complete your essential cyber security training. This is a short online course that covers the basics of cyber security, such as how to spot phishing emails, how to create strong passwords, and how to report incidents. The course is available through Metacompliance and should be completed by all staff and students: https://universityofstirling.metacompliance.com/
Take a moment to prioritise your online safety this festive season. By staying vigilant and adopting good cyber security practices, we can enjoy a happy and secure holiday.