Tips to keeping your information safe this Cyber Monday

“Especially because there are deadlines, I would definitely think that people are going to be purchasing online on Cyber Monday at the workplace”.

What I don’t like is the advice that shoppers should change their passwords regularly.

This is the easiest to fall for. Look for “https” when making an online purchase. You pull out your phone and up pops a free WiFi hotspot.

And in some cases the bar or the site’s name will even turn green. BBB dynamic seals will take you to a site’s BBB Business Profile. If the wrong person gets your work email AND password, your company could get hacked.

There are a couple issues there. It’s also a good idea to see what, if any, return policy the store offers. When in doubt, don’t connect. Don’t connect to an unknown or insecure wi-fi connection. But how do you protect yourself online? Learn how to spot a secure website, know whether your debit or credit is more secure, and much more. Stuck in the Philippines” or “Urgent: “Must move funds from Romania”, something that says “Merry Christmas from the Andersons” might slip through our defenses. This is when fraudsters pretend to be a lawyer or a law enforcement officer and tell you they can help you recover the money you’ve already lost. If you suspect that you have received a mail for a package that you have not ordered, do not click on any mails within the email.

Yes, broken record time here.

Also, muscle up your passwords. Identity theft affidavits, which are affidavits filed with the IRS by taxpayers claiming they were victims of identity theft, dropped to 237,750 during the first nine months of 2016, a almost 50% declined, as compared to the same period in 2015 when 512,278 affidavits were filed.

Using your credit card online ensures that you will be protected by the Fair Credit Billing Act.

If you really want to make sure you’re in the right, you need to know where your company stands on computer use during company time.

It is one of the biggest online shopping days of the year, with millions of stores offering online sales for Cyber Monday.

As far as checking on deals themselves, price checker sites like Camel Camel Camel can track prices of items to see if you’re truly getting a deal or if it’s just advertised as one. Double check to be sure.

Get 15% off almost everything online and in stores today at Target. You’re inviting thieves to come check it all out. Also, watch for look-alike websites.

A local cyber security specialist has some tips on how to keep transactions and personal information secure online for Cyber Monday.

– Hackers hope you won’t notice a few bucks missing from your account. If you don’t recognize a charge, call your financial institution immediately.

Go over your credit card statements.

If you’re buying on a computer, experts suggest purchasing on a private computer rather than a public one. Make sure your computer is equipped with the most current operating system and antivirus software, and download the latest update on your smartphone and/or tablet.

These look like the common email notices sent out when something you’ve ordered online has been shipped.

It’s important for consumers to be extra cautious when shopping online this holiday season.