don't let the Grinch steal your data.

Holiday season is a time of joy, love, gratitude and gifting.

Unfortunately, the holiday season can quickly become hectic, flooded with online opportunities and exclusivity that all prompt us to swipe, slide, insert, and scan our way to the best deals.

With the majority of shoppers trying to take advantage of online deals, cyber criminals focus their efforts on the holidays. Unfortunately, this has resulted in cybersecurity threats, fear of data breaches and personal data and identity theft becoming a common part of the season.

While navigating the internet and looking for holiday discounts, always be vigilant and protect yourself from attacks from prowling cybercriminals.

Keep the season merry and bright by following these simple tips:

Don't leave your computer unprotected from scams, malware, viruses, and other online threats.

Do install firewall, virus and spyware protection software.

Don't use a search engine to find deals. 

Do go directly to a website you trust.

Don't Immediately click on pop-ups or digital ads. 

Do install ad blocker software.

Don’t take the scammers’ bait.

Do ask questions when a business calls and never give out personal information over the phone or email.

Don't befriend strangers on social media. 

Do be aware of numerous social media scams.

Don't click on email attachments, unless from a trusted source. 

Do delete "best deal" emails with attachments.

Don't use public Wi-Fi to shop. 

Do utilize a secure, password protected internet connection.

Don't use debit cards for online shopping. 

Do use a credit card for online purchases.

Don't let your credit cards out of your sight as the skimmers or card readers can hide in many places.

Do be always aware of credit card skimming.

Don't randomly scan QR codes. 

Do be selective in which QR codes you scan, especially in public places.

Don't include extra personal information when checking out. 

Do fill required fields only.

Don't use a one-size-fits-all password. 

Do create a unique passwords for each website, especially sensitive accounts.

Don't be content with single authentication. 

Do enable two-step verification for sensitive websites and services.

Don't necessarily create a customer account for checkout. 

Do check out as a guest whenever possible, so your name, address, and credit card information is not saved.

Don't ignore unfamiliar charges. 

Do monitor your bank and credit card statements carefully.

Don't be careless with your credit. 

Do monitor your credit report to avoid a stolen identity.

Kotar Data Recovery Team wishes you a delightful and cheerful holiday season!