Festive season online sale and hidden data risks: 6 tips to protect your personal information

Online shopping risks: Avoid saving your credit card details on websites, as not all follow stringent security measures. This practice can lead to personal and financial data breaches

With festive season around the excitement fills the air, bringing with it the irresistible attraction of mega sales, grand discounts, and super savings. This is the time when shoppers are ready to indulge, splurging on gifts, decorations, and personal treats. However, amid the shopping frenzy, it’s vital to remember that the excitement can come with hidden risks, particularly concerning personal data protection.

With online shopping becoming the norm, protecting your personal information has never been more important, says Saurabh Gupta, CEO and Founder of VeriSmart AI, a blockchain-based data exchange platform. He adds, “During the festive season, while you enjoy shopping online, you must also stay vigilant against potential cyber threats. The seemingly great deals that tempt you into splurging should not blind you to the risks lurking in the digital landscape.”

As spending increases across digital platforms during this festive time, so do the tactics of cyber criminals. “Armed with more internet literacy, they exploit the eagerness of consumers to attack unsuspecting individuals. To safeguard against identity theft and financial fraud, it’s essential to adopt proactive measures,” Gupta says.

According to Gupta, you can protect yourself from identity theft this festive season by keeping these 6 simple tips in mind. 

• Avoid clicking unverified links: Steer clear of links from both known and unknown sources on messaging apps and social media. Cyber attackers often use social engineering to target affluent individuals, sending phishing links that can compromise your device and steal personal data or lead to financial fraud.

• Research unknown websites: Before visiting unfamiliar websites, check their reviews on Google. While searching for enticing discounts, you might encounter fake sites designed to collect personal information. Accepting third-party cookies can also track your online activity, making you vulnerable to pharming attacks that mimic legitimate bank pages.

• Don’t store credit card information: Avoid saving your credit card details on websites, as not all follow stringent security measures. This practice can lead to personal and financial data breaches.

• Be cautious with surveys: Stay away from festive surveys that ask for excessive personal information. Even seemingly harmless details like your date of birth or occupation can be exploited for identity fraud.

• Limit social media sharing: During the festive season, refrain from oversharing on public social media accounts. Public posts can expose you to various online and offline frauds.

• Avoid using public Wi-Fi for transactions: Do not conduct personal data sharing or transactions over open Wi-Fi networks, as they can be monitored. This puts your personal information at risk and can lead to digital abuse or blackmail.