Deck the Halls with Cyber Caution: Tips for a Safe Season!

As we rush to prepare for the season of giving, reservations often fall by the wayside. More people are shopping online than ever before, clicking on links and visiting various websites to find the perfect gifts. However, it's important to remember that not everyone shares the spirit of goodwill during this festive season. Grinches, aka hackers, are lurking about, waiting for the perfect opportunity to snatch and steal your personal and professional information and ruin your holiday.?

So, let's deck the halls with caution and keep those digital doors locked tight!?

Beware of MFA Fatigue!?

It takes a lot to make the season merry and bright. You've got places to be and a list of things to do! It's easy to become overwhelmed—especially if you're being bombarded by your Multifactor Authentication (MFA) app with repeated prompts to approve sign-in.?

That constant nagging can lead to what we call MFA Fatigue. In a moment of weakness (or holiday madness), you might tap "approve" just to make it stop, and just like that, the bad actors have slipped in!?

So, if you're getting MFA requests and you're not actively trying to log in – reach out to your IT team or IT services provider. They'll help you ensure your information stays as secure as grandma's secret Christmas cookie recipe!?

Be Cyber-Savvy!?

Let's take a moment to remember some of our handy security awareness training tips as we jingle all the way through our inboxes this season:?

1. Is the email legit??

Check if it's from the person you think it is! Is their email correct? Does it look off, or does their messaging seem different from usual? It could be as simple as an extra letter in their name or a switch from a .com to a .org.?

2. Hover and check!?

Before clicking those holiday links, hover over them to preview where the URL is going to send you. Make sure the URL matches where it claims to lead and isn't going to redirect you to something malicious.?

3. Do you feel the urgency??

Scammers love to rush us into bad decisions, and they do this by impersonating important people and using urgent language. If an email shouts, "I need this right away!" or "Act now!" take a moment to pause.??

4. Sensitive info? No thanks!?

Be skeptical of emails asking for your sensitive information, like account or login details. If it seems too good to be true, odds are - it's a scam. Just because someone claims to be a rich prince from a far-off land and wants to shower you with millions of dollars doesn't mean you should hand over your banking information.?

5. Unforeseen invoices or requests??

Unexpected purchase orders, receipts, or invoices can be alarming! If you didn't order it - don't click it, open it, or accept it! The same goes for information update requests. If you receive requests to update information, such as changes to direct deposit banking or similar, take a moment to verify. If the request seems sudden or you haven't been previously informed, pause and confirm your sources.?

6. Grammar and spelling errors??

It could be the holiday spirit, or it could be a sign of a scam! While AI has made communication for hackers a lot easier, be wary of emails that sound off. Grammatical errors and unusual verbiage are huge red flags.?

Happy Holidays from all of us at CCB Technology

As you sip your hot cocoa and shop for those last-minute gifts, remember to watch out for these cybersecurity red flags. We want you to enjoy a joyous, safe, and secure holiday season filled with laughter, joy, and maybe even a few snowball fights (just keep your accounts safe while you're at it)!?

Stay merry, stay secure!