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Stay safe this
'Silly Season'
As the festive season approaches, it’s a time for joy, generosity, and, unfortunately, heightened cyber risks. For business owners, this period is marked by unique cyber security challenges due to increased online transactions, charitable giving, and hectic schedules.
In this updated guide for 2024, I’ll cover the latest tactics cyber criminals are employing during this period and provide actionable strategies to safeguard your business operations.
Jump Ahead:
1. Holiday-Themed Phishing Emails
Phishing emails use Christmas-themed content to trick employees into clicking malicious links or providing sensitive information. These emails often appear to offer holiday discounts, e-gift cards, or festive promotions.
How It Happens: Scammers craft emails that mimic legitimate organisations or retailers. These messages create urgency, such as “Limited-time offer – click now!” or “Your Christmas reward is waiting!” When users click, they are redirected to fake websites or malware is downloaded onto their device.
Defence Strategy:
2. Fake Charity Campaigns
Scammers exploit the spirit of giving by creating fake donation drives or impersonating well-known charities. These campaigns tug at emotional heartstrings to encourage quick, unverified donations.
How It Happens: Cyber criminals set up fraudulent websites or send phishing emails asking for donations. They often use names and branding of real charities but provide fake payment links or forms to steal money and personal information.
Defence Strategy:
Inform employees about this scam and encourage them to check URLs before donating.
3. E-commerce Fraud During Christmas Sales
With the increase in online shopping during the festive season, businesses and consumers face risks like stolen payment details, fraudulent transactions, or fake online stores.
How It Happens: Cyber criminals intercept payment data, use stolen credit card details for transactions, or set up fake e-commerce sites that mimic real retailers. They also exploit insecure payment gateways to target businesses.
Defence Strategy:
4. Festive Social Engineering Attacks
Social engineering attacks manipulate employees into sharing sensitive information, like passwords or financial details, often under the guise of festive cheer or urgency.
How It Happens: Scammers pose as trusted contacts, such as managers or clients, and request information via phone or email. Common pretexts include Christmas bonuses, festive party arrangements, or urgent year-end compliance tasks.
Defence Strategy:
Use access controls to limit what information employees can share.
5. Gift Card Scams
Scammers impersonate managers or executives and request employees to purchase gift cards for “urgent” Christmas gifts or client presents. The scammer then uses these gift cards for personal gain.
How It Happens: A cyber criminal sends an email or message pretending to be a senior staff member, requesting immediate action. The employee, believing the request to be genuine, buys gift cards and sends the codes to the scammer.
Defence Strategy:
6. Compromised Holiday E-Cards
Digital greeting cards are a popular way to spread festive cheer, but cyber criminals can embed malicious software into these e-cards.
How It Happens: Scammers create fake e-cards with embedded malware or links to phishing websites. Once the recipient opens the card or clicks the link, the malware infects their device, potentially spreading through the network.
Defence Strategy:
7. Holiday Sale Spoof Websites
Fake e-commerce websites appear to offer “exclusive Christmas deals” but are designed to steal payment information or install malware.
How It Happens: Cyber criminals clone legitimate websites, complete with branding and design. Customers are tricked into entering payment details or downloading malicious files, believing they’re making a genuine purchase.
Defence Strategy:
8. Shipping Notification Scams
Scammers take advantage of increased package deliveries during Christmas by sending fake shipping notifications.
How It Happens: Victims receive emails or texts claiming there’s an issue with their delivery. These messages include links to phishing websites or prompts to download malware disguised as tracking tools.
Defence Strategy:
9. Christmas-Themed Ransomware
Ransomware disguised as festive downloads, like screensavers or event invitations, locks company systems and demands payment to restore access.
How It Happens: Cyber criminals lure users into downloading malicious files by offering Christmas-themed downloads. Once activated, the ransomware encrypts files and demands a ransom in exchange for decryption.
Defence Strategy:
10. Relaxed Security Practices Over the Holidays
During the holiday season, employees may be less vigilant about following security protocols, creating vulnerabilities.
How It Happens: Examples include using weak passwords, leaving devices unlocked, connecting to unsecured Wi-Fi, or bypassing standard security practices to save time.
Defence Strategy:
The festive season should be a time for celebration, not cyber breaches. By proactively addressing these risks, you not only protect your business but also contribute to a safer online ecosystem.
At Jam Cyber, we’re here to support your business throughout the year. If you need assistance preparing for the silly season’s challenges or strengthening your overall cyber security, get in touch with our team today.
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