--- title: "Tis the Season for Holiday Hacking: 4 Tips for Online Shopping Safety - Valeo Networks" description: Tips to use against cybercriminals taking advantage of holiday online shopping to stuff their stockings with stolen credentials image: https://blog.valeonetworks.com/hubfs/pexels-photo-853151-1.webp --- [Skip to the main content.](https://blog.valeonetworks.com/4-tips-for-online-cyber-shopping-safety#main-content) [![Valeo-poweredbyForte-white](https://blog.valeonetworks.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Valeo-poweredbyForte-white.png?width=600&height=99&name=Valeo-poweredbyForte-white.png "Valeo-poweredbyForte-white")](https://valeonetworks.com) [![Valeo Networks Division Logos 2024](https://blog.valeonetworks.com/hs-fs/hubfs/VN%20-%20Division%20Logos/Valeo/Valeo%20Networks%20Division%20Logos%202024.png?width=960&height=290&name=Valeo%20Networks%20Division%20Logos%202024.png "Valeo Networks Division Logos 2024")](https://valeonetworks.com) - [Services](https://valeonetworks.com/our-services) - [CMMC Services](https://valeonetworks.com/cmmc-services) - [Managed IT Services](https://valeonetworks.com/our-services/managed-it/) - [Cybersecurity](https://valeonetworks.com/our-services/cybersecurity/) - [Cloud Solutions](https://valeonetworks.com/our-services/cloud-solutions/) - [Compliance](https://valeonetworks.com/our-services/compliance/) - [Industries](https://valeonetworks.com/industries) - [Resources](https://valeonetworks.com/resources) - [Blog](https://blog.valeonetworks.com/) - [Data Sheets](https://valeonetworks.com/resources/datasheets/) - [Ebooks](https://valeonetworks.com/resources/ebooks/) - [Guides & White papers](https://valeonetworks.com/resources/guides-white-papers/) - [In The news](https://valeonetworks.com/in-the-news/) - [Our Services](https://valeonetworks.com/our-services) - [Webinars & Videos](https://valeonetworks.com/resources/webinars-videos/) - [E-Waste](http://valeonetworks.com/resources-e-waste) - [About](https://valeonetworks.com/about) - [Our Story](https://valeonetworks.com/our-story) - [Leadership](https://valeonetworks.com/about/leadership/) - [Partners](https://valeonetworks.com/about/partners/) - [Success Stories](https://valeonetworks.com/success-stories/) - [Contact](https://valeonetworks.com/contact) - [Careers](https://valeonetworks.com/about/careers/) - [Locations](https://valeonetworks.com/contact/locations/) - [Support](https://valeonetworks.com/client-portal/) [888-806-3601](tel:888-806-3601) [Client Portal](https://portal.Valeonetworks.com) Toggle Menu Toggle Menu [888-806-3601](tel:888-806-3601) [Client Portal](https://portal.Valeonetworks.com) - [Services *Toggle Menu*](https://valeonetworks.com/our-services) - [CMMC Services](https://valeonetworks.com/cmmc-services) - [Managed IT Services](https://valeonetworks.com/our-services/managed-it/) - [Cybersecurity](https://valeonetworks.com/our-services/cybersecurity/) - [Cloud Solutions](https://valeonetworks.com/our-services/cloud-solutions/) - [Compliance](https://valeonetworks.com/our-services/compliance/) - [Industries](https://valeonetworks.com/industries) - [Resources *Toggle Menu*](https://valeonetworks.com/resources) - [Blog](https://blog.valeonetworks.com/) - [Data Sheets](https://valeonetworks.com/resources/datasheets/) - [Ebooks](https://valeonetworks.com/resources/ebooks/) - [Guides & White papers](https://valeonetworks.com/resources/guides-white-papers/) - [In The news](https://valeonetworks.com/in-the-news/) - [Our Services](https://valeonetworks.com/our-services) - [Webinars & Videos](https://valeonetworks.com/resources/webinars-videos/) - [E-Waste](http://valeonetworks.com/resources-e-waste) - [About *Toggle Menu*](https://valeonetworks.com/about) - [Our Story](https://valeonetworks.com/our-story) - [Leadership](https://valeonetworks.com/about/leadership/) - [Partners](https://valeonetworks.com/about/partners/) - [Success Stories](https://valeonetworks.com/success-stories/) - [Contact *Toggle Menu*](https://valeonetworks.com/contact) - [Careers](https://valeonetworks.com/about/careers/) - [Locations](https://valeonetworks.com/contact/locations/) - [Support](https://valeonetworks.com/client-portal/) 1 min read # Tis the Season for Holiday Hacking: 4 Tips for Online Shopping Safety [Valeo Networks](https://blog.valeonetworks.com/author/valeo-networks) : Nov 30, 2018, 12:00:00 AM [Managed IT Services](https://blog.valeonetworks.com/tag/managed-it-services) Whether you’ve just started your holiday shopping or are waiting until the last minute, remember that the hackers are shopping too. With 60 percent of consumers purchasing gifts online, cybercriminals are taking advantage of this opportunity to stuff their stockings with stolen credentials. Holiday shoppers cite free delivery and time saved as top reasons for buying online, but keep in mind that same convenience trickles down to these cyber grinches. Almost half of buyers report having had their data breached at one time and a third continue to purchase online after being hacked, altering only their method of payment. Half of hacked shoppers said they would continue to do business with a breached retailer, but that they expect action on the part of the seller to regain their trust. Security experts agree that a proactive approach may be the best strategy to avoid getting Scrooged this holiday season. Here are some tips you can use to avoid having your financial data breached or identity stolen: 1) Use legitimate, well-known shopping applications rather than links found in a search. Instead of googling “X-box on sale,” go directly to merchant websites like Best Buy or Amazon to conduct your search. Be sure to spell them correctly, because sites using fake domain names can easily steal your credentials. 2) Avoid falling for[phishing emails](https://blog.valeonetworks.com/the-art-of-social-engineering-what-small-businesses-can-learn-to-stay-safe/) with special deals or fake shipment information. If the deal seems “too good to be true,” it is probably a scam designed to take your credit card information. 3) Keep security in mind when setting up internet-connected devices by not using default passwords. [Internet of Things (IoT) devices](https://blog.valeonetworks.com/how-is-the-internet-of-things-iot-being-impacted-by-malware/) such as smart speakers or smart toys may have stored credentials that create a privacy and security risks. If the manufacturer provides a default password, make sure you change it to safeguard your personal information. 4) Avoid using your credit card directly on a website. Many merchant websites are unencrypted and vulnerable to hackers. By using a credible third-party service such as PayPal, there’s no need to risk entering your credit card number. Be vigilant in protecting your credit card and personal information this season. Don’t let hacker fraud dampen your holidays! Download your [free Cybersecurity White Paper here](https://saalexit.com/cybersecurity-small-business-needs-know/)! Resources: [https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/about-deloitte/articles/press-releases/deloitte-2018-survey-retail-holiday-sales-to-climb.html](https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/about-deloitte/articles/press-releases/deloitte-2018-survey-retail-holiday-sales-to-climb.html) [https://www.foxbusiness.com/features/cyber-hackers-troll-for-thanksgiving-shoppers-5-tips-to-stay-safe](https://www.foxbusiness.com/features/cyber-hackers-troll-for-thanksgiving-shoppers-5-tips-to-stay-safe) [https://www.zdnet.com/article/new-iot-security-rules-stop-using-default-passwords-and-allow-software-updates/](https://www.zdnet.com/article/new-iot-security-rules-stop-using-default-passwords-and-allow-software-updates/) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) #### ![BusinessOwnerGuidetoM&A-1](https://blog.valeonetworks.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BusinessOwnerGuidetoM%26A-1.png?width=303&height=209&name=BusinessOwnerGuidetoM%26A-1.png) #### Download our eBook*THE ULTIMATE ROADMAP TO CMMC COMPLIANCE* by filling out the form below! 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[Managed IT Services](https://blog.valeonetworks.com/tag/managed-it-services) [Read More](https://blog.valeonetworks.com/are-you-prepared-for-windows-7-server-2008-end-of-life) [![How IT Storage Services Could Help You Avoid HR Compliance Penalties](https://blog.valeonetworks.com/hubfs/Blog%20Images/Imported_Blog_Media/29219843_s-1.jpg)](https://blog.valeonetworks.com/help-your-form-i-9-compliance-with-a-better-it-storage-system) #### [How IT Storage Services Could Help You Avoid HR Compliance Penalties](https://blog.valeonetworks.com/help-your-form-i-9-compliance-with-a-better-it-storage-system) [Valeo Networks](https://blog.valeonetworks.com/author/valeo-networks) : Aug 7, 2018, 12:00:00 AM Businesses, whether large or small, are responsible for managing a massive amount of proprietary and personal information. A huge volume of that data... [Managed IT Services](https://blog.valeonetworks.com/tag/managed-it-services) [Backup & Disaster](https://blog.valeonetworks.com/tag/backup-disaster) [Read More](https://blog.valeonetworks.com/help-your-form-i-9-compliance-with-a-better-it-storage-system) [![How Secure Are Your Passwords?](https://blog.valeonetworks.com/hubfs/Blog%20Images/Imported_Blog_Media/Digital-security-lock-e1588875868554-1.jpeg)](https://blog.valeonetworks.com/how-secure-are-your-passwords) #### [How Secure Are Your Passwords?](https://blog.valeonetworks.com/how-secure-are-your-passwords) [Valeo Networks](https://blog.valeonetworks.com/author/valeo-networks) : May 7, 2020, 4:00:00 AM Best Practices for Data and Account Protection Many organizations and individuals don’t consider their passwords to be at-risk until it’s too late.... 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