After another extremely difficult year for most of us, the Christmas season is generally a great time to relax and spend time with friends and family.
Whether this is possible remains to be discussed, but one thing is certain: Cybercriminals rarely go on vacation, so sadly, you will always have to be on your guard this Christmas.
However, fear not, we have some tips to protect you during the holiday season.
Make sure all new devices are properly secured
For many people, Christmas means primarily one thing: gifts. With Black Friday deals offering discounts on all kinds of devices, new tech gadgets and tools will be some of the most popular options for unpacking, turning on and connecting to the internet on December 25.
But hackers often target such additions during the Christmas season to target careless new users, so protecting your new devices is paramount.
You can protect all your new devices by making sure the latest software updates and security patches are always installed, and it's best to do so as soon as new updates are released.
This doesn't just apply to newer laptops, tablets, or cell phones - hackers can attack devices like activity trackers, coffee makers, smart refrigerators, and even routers.
Fortunately, Bitdefender Total Security offers comprehensive protection against major cyber threats on mobile devices and PCs, including Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS, with up to 15 devices per household covered by your subscription.
Stay in control
If you've been generous and spent a lot of money on new internet-connected devices for your family this Christmas, it may also be worth making sure they're safe online with the proper checks.
Online scammers often target children who may not have the proper level of security knowledge, making them easy targets and a possible gateway to your home network or personal information, especially on things. Services intended to be family-friendly, such as gaming sites.
Bitdefender Total Security comes with a range of family security features, including advanced parental controls, that allow you to monitor and supervise your family's online activities. The fully customizable platform means you can filter inappropriate pages, limit screen time, and block them from all harmful content, making sure everyone is protected.
And beware of scams!
If you didn't get what you wanted this Christmas, you might also be tempted to go to the sale to find a good deal, but even that can come with some risk.
Phishing emails, in which hackers spoof messages from a legitimate company in an attempt to steal login or personal information, have seen a significant increase, often attempting to lure victims with bogus offers or holiday related promotions.
If you receive an email that looks suspicious, please take a few minutes to review it carefully. Phishing messages often contain obvious spelling, image, or formatting errors, or contain clearly malicious links.
Also, be sure to be vigilant when checking work-related emails and make sure you don't fall victim to a "vacation brain" and unintentionally open a fraudulent link or message.
Bitdefender Total Security goes beyond traditional antivirus and malware blockers to protect you from the latest phishing scams, including dedicated anti-phishing and anti-fraud systems to keep you safe online.