End-of-Year Cybersecurity: Protect Your Digital Life

As we approach the end of the year, many of us are focused on holiday shopping, year-end financial tasks, and preparing for the new year. Unfortunately, cybercriminals are also busy during this period, taking advantage of increased online activity to exploit vulnerabilities. That’s why it’s crucial to pay extra attention to your cybersecurity and protect your personal information from potential threats.

Here are some essential tips and strategies to keep your digital life secure as the year comes to a close.

1. Be Cautious with Online Shopping

The holiday season is prime time for online shopping, but it’s also peak season for scams. Cybercriminals create fake websites and phishing emails to trick you into providing your credit card information.

• Shop Only on Trusted Websites: Stick to well-known and reputable online retailers. Look for “https://” in the website address and a padlock icon, which indicates a secure connection.
• Avoid Suspicious Links: Be wary of clicking on promotional emails from unfamiliar sources. If an offer looks too good to be true, it probably is. Instead, go directly to the retailer’s official website to check for deals.
• Use a Credit Card Instead of a Debit Card: Credit cards often have better fraud protection compared to debit cards. Plus, using a credit card doesn’t give scammers direct access to your bank account.

2. Update Your Software and Devices

Software updates often include critical security patches that protect your devices from the latest threats. Make sure your computer, smartphone, and other devices are running the latest versions of their operating systems and applications.

• Enable Automatic Updates: This ensures you’re always protected, even if you forget to check for updates manually.
• Check for Firmware Updates: Don’t forget about your router, smart home devices, and other connected gadgets. They also need to be updated to stay secure.

3. Strengthen Your Passwords

Weak or reused passwords are one of the most common ways that hackers gain access to accounts. Take some time before the end of the year to strengthen your passwords and make your accounts more secure.

• Use Complex, Unique Passwords: Ensure each password is a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using easily guessable information like names or birthdays.
• Consider a Password Manager: A password manager can help you create, store, and manage strong, unique passwords for all your accounts.
• Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification, such as a text message code or biometric scan, in addition to your password.

4. Be Wary of Phishing Attacks

Phishing attacks are becoming more sophisticated, with cybercriminals sending convincing emails or messages that appear to be from trusted companies or even people you know.

• Double-Check the Sender’s Email Address: Look closely at the email address to make sure it matches the company’s official domain.
• Avoid Clicking on Links in Suspicious Emails: If you receive an unexpected email asking for personal information, don’t click any links or download attachments. Instead, visit the company’s website directly or call their customer service to verify the request.
• Look for Red Flags: Poor grammar, generic greetings (like “Dear Customer”), and urgent language are often signs of a phishing scam.

5. Secure Your Home Network

A secure home network is essential, especially if you’re working from home or have a lot of connected devices.

• Change the Default Password on Your Router: Many routers come with a default password that’s easy for hackers to guess. Change it to something more secure.
• Enable Network Encryption: Make sure your Wi-Fi network is using WPA3 or WPA2 encryption to protect your data.
• Set Up a Guest Network: If visitors need to use your Wi-Fi, set up a separate guest network. This helps protect your main network from potential vulnerabilities.

6. Monitor Your Financial Accounts

End-of-year is a busy time for finances, whether you’re shopping, investing, or planning for taxes. Cybercriminals may try to take advantage of this by stealing your credit card information or hacking into your accounts.

• Check Bank and Credit Card Statements Regularly: Look for any unauthorized charges and report them immediately. The sooner you catch fraudulent activity, the easier it is to resolve.
• Set Up Account Alerts: Many banks and credit card companies allow you to set up alerts for large purchases, international transactions, or other suspicious activities. These alerts can help you catch fraud quickly.

7. Backup Your Data

No matter how careful you are, there’s always a risk of a data breach or malware attack. Regularly backing up your data ensures you can recover your files if something goes wrong.

• Use Cloud Storage and External Hard Drives: Having multiple backups, both online and offline, is a good practice. Make sure your backups are encrypted to keep your data safe.
• Set Up Automatic Backups: This way, you won’t forget to do it, and your data will always be up-to-date.

8. Be Mindful of Social Media Sharing

During the holidays, it’s natural to share more on social media, but oversharing can make you a target for scammers.

• Limit What You Share Publicly: Avoid sharing sensitive information like your location, vacation plans, or photos of your home that might reveal details to potential thieves.
• Review Privacy Settings: Check your social media privacy settings to control who can see your posts and personal information.

Why End-of-Year Cybersecurity Is Important

The end of the year brings increased online activity, from shopping to travel to tax preparation. This heightened activity makes it a prime time for cybercriminals to launch attacks. By taking these steps now, you can protect yourself, your family, and your finances from potential threats and start the new year with peace of mind.

Final Thoughts

Cybersecurity is an ongoing process, but taking the time at the end of the year to review and strengthen your security practices can go a long way. By staying vigilant and implementing these strategies, you won’t have to worry about the safety of your digital life.

Stay safe!

*Prepared by Jonathan Neher 

Securities offered through Registered Representatives of Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a broker-dealer, member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor. Avenues to Wealth Financial Advisors and Cambridge are not affiliated.