How to stay safe while shopping online this holiday season

Quick answer

• Shop with retailers you trust
• Verify deals before you click
• Go directly to the retailer or carrier to track packages
• Avoid public Wi-Fi for payments
• Turn on multifactor authentication

Adding security software like Webroot Total Protection gives you an extra layer of protection against scams and identity theft.

The holiday season is one of the busiest times of the year online. We search for the perfect gift, compare prices, plan holiday travel, and track deliveries, all from our phones and laptops. That convenience makes the season a lot less stressful. It also creates an opening for cybercriminals, who know shoppers are busy, distracted, and eager to grab a limited time deal.

Why online shopping scams increase during Black Friday and Cyber Monday

Online shopping scams increase during the holidays because more people are shopping, and cybercriminals follow the crowds. In the weeks leading up to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, millions of people are hunting for deals at the same time. That makes it easier for scammers to blend in.

They take advantage of all that activity with fake shopping websites, fraudulent shipping notifications, phishing emails, and other holiday scams designed to steal your personal and financial information.

The most common holiday shopping scams

The most common holiday scams are fake retailer websites, phishing emails, and fake package delivery texts. Many of them are getting harder to spot:

• Fake shopping websites that closely copy the look of real brands
• Phishing emails offering "exclusive" deals or discounts that seem too good to be true
• Package delivery scams sent by text or email that look like real shipping updates

During a busy holiday season, it's easy to click first and ask questions later. The good news is that staying safe doesn't mean giving up the convenience of online shopping. A few smart habits can lower your risk and help you shop with confidence.

5 ways to shop safely online this holiday season

Before you start checking gifts off your list, here are five simple ways to protect yourself online.

1. Shop with retailers you know and trust. Buying from a new website? Take a few minutes to research the company, read customer reviews, and verify the site before you enter any payment information.
2. Think twice before clicking deals or promotions. Scammers love limited time offers and urgent messages because they pressure you to act fast. If a deal seems unusually generous, check the source first.
3. Be cautious of shipping and delivery alerts. Package tracking scams spike during the holidays. When in doubt, go straight to the retailer's website or the shipping carrier instead of tapping links in unexpected texts or emails.
4. Protect your financial and personal information. Use secure connections when you shop and avoid entering sensitive details on public Wi-Fi whenever you can.
5. Strengthen your account security. Strong, unique passwords and multifactor authentication help keep criminals out of your shopping, banking, and email accounts.

Add extra protection while you shop online

Good security habits are your first line of defense, and security software adds another layer of peace of mind. Webroot Total Protection brings antivirus, identity protection, VPN, cloud backup, and scam protection together in one solution, designed to help protect you from a wide range of online threats.

Why cybersecurity makes a great holiday gift

For the hard to shop for people on your list, cybersecurity might be one of the most practical gifts you can give. Long after the wrapping paper is gone and the decorations are packed away, protection against online threats keeps helping your loved ones stay safer in an increasingly connected world.

Holiday shopping safety FAQ

1. How can I tell if a shopping website is fake?

   Check the web address carefully for misspellings or extra characters, look for reviews from other shoppers, and be wary of prices that are far below what other retailers charge. If something feels off, shop somewhere else.

2. What should I do if I get a package delivery text I wasn't expecting?

   Don't tap the link. Go directly to the retailer's website or the shipping carrier's site and enter your tracking number there.

3. Is it safe to shop online using public Wi-Fi?

   It's best to avoid entering payment or personal information on public Wi-Fi. If you need to shop on the go, use a VPN or your phone's cellular data.

4. What is multifactor authentication and why does it matter?

   Multifactor authentication adds an additional step to logging into an application. For example, when logging in to your bank account, a code will be sent to your phone or email and you must enter it to gain access to your information. Even if someone steals your password, it makes it much harder for them to get into your accounts.

5. What should I do if I think I've been scammed?

   Contact your bank or card issuer right away, change your passwords, and keep an eye on your accounts for unusual activity. You can also report the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. It is also wise to invest in scam protection. Webroot Total Protection includes scam protection and other features, such as credit and identity monitoring, that help reduce the potential harm a scam can cause.

Learn more about how Webroot Total Protection can help you from becoming a victim of online scams and identity theft.