Holiday Phishing & Malware Safety

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! After a couple of years of subdued holiday celebrations, 2022 is off to a big start! This is also true for fraud and malware activity.

During the holiday season you will be exposed to an increase in fake shipping notices, invoices, greeting cards and wishes from friends and family. Be aware of impersonation tactics used to trick you into providing sensitive info or following a link.

Phishing – those pesky fraudulent emails trying to induce individuals to reveal important personal information – is still the most popular method to deliver malware such as ransomware. These fraudulent phishing emails are becoming more convincing as cybercriminals use trusted services like Microsoft Azure and Google Drive to deliver the malware and/or steal your log-on info. So far, 2022 has seen a 61% increase in the rate of phishing attacks compared to 2021 based on a report by security company SlashNext.

As always, prevention and awareness are the best defenses against these attacks. With holiday shopping, travel and event planning in full swing, take that extra second to think before you click!

For more information on how to protect yourself and all the devices in your household from cybercriminals, please visit our Cybersecurity Center.

Have a happy and safe holiday season!