The Pew Research Center reports that eight in 10 adults in the US shop online. That is almost 80 percent of purchases made online using a computer or cellphone. From Black Friday through New Year’s the number of purchases conducted online skyrockets. And so do the influx of threats from cybercriminals.

Protect your customers and team members from potential hackers and data thieves with these actionable tips.

Protect credit card information

A credit card number is one of the most frequently stolen items in the commercial cyber world. The major credit card breach that took place at Target in 2013 cost the company $18.5 million in settlements.

Protect against credit card theft by paying close attention to balance sheets and credit card company statements to look for signs of theft. Criminals on the black market will often deduct money in small increments over millions of accounts to get away undetected.

Cybercriminals hack the system via the internet, which is where the next tip comes in.

Reiterate your cybersecurity policy with your team

Along with credit card numbers, another hot target for cyber thieves is the people who work for you. Employees are more likely to make mistakes during the busy holiday season, with everything they’ve got going on professionally and personally.

Refresh your in-office cybersecurity training before the holiday season to ensure your employees are thinking of cybersecurity front-and-center. Touch on how to manage passwords for computers and #Wifi, as well as the latest cyber risks faced by your company and team.

Test for email safety

The holiday season is where consumers get an influx of sales advertisements, which increases the risk of cyberthreats. Your employees and customers are the ones who are likely to open attachments in phishing emails that contain viruses. Protect your system email by learning how to identify a phishing email

Conduct regular tests of your email marketing campaigns to ensure that your system is not being hacked into. Look for emails with incorrectly named names and/or email addresses to start.

Learn more about internet cybersecurity

Ready to see what else you can do to protect your cybersecurity at your workplace? Contact one of our experts today to book a free 30-minute phone consultation.