KPMG: The 12 (cyber)threats of Christmas

By: Trademagazin Date: 2024. 12. 16. 11:09

People spend their time preparing for the holidays in many ways. Some people chase after fish, perhaps even catch the fish themselves, while others see it as an opportunity to fish for data and cheat us out of not only chocolate, but also other things. What should we pay attention to so that the holidays do not turn into a cyber nightmare? KPMG gives us twelve pieces of advice to take to heart.

1. According to cybersecurity experts, the number of phishing emails and messages increases significantly every holiday season. Let’s try to filter out fake order or delivery notifications, and report suspected phishing emails immediately!

2. Today, even the doorbell or speaker can be online, so it is possible to take control of them. If you receive a smarter, networked smart device as a gift, check if it offers two-factor authentication protection and turn on this security feature!

3. During the holiday season, we tend to pay less attention to our devices, so the chance of them being lost or stolen is higher. Don’t forget about company laptops and phones even if we attend office celebrations or social events, and keep them locked at home when not in use. If the device is lost or stolen, report it immediately!

4. Fraudsters often pretend to be bank employees, customer service staff – or even acquaintances over the phone or on social media, abusing certain video or audio recordings. This way, they can easily make unwary people believe that they can be trusted. Don’t let such calls, emails, SMS or messages sent via social media deceive us! Always verify the person before transferring money to them!

5. Don’t neglect security updates during the holiday season! If you use a company laptop at home, turn it off completely at the end of each day so that security updates can run. Always update your company smartphone when prompted.