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6 tips for shopping online safely at Christmas
Many of us now prefer to shop online: you can avoid the queues, it’s easier to compare goods and prices…
No doubt Christmas is one of the times of the year when most online transactions take place. That’s why we want to offer you some tips for shopping online safely.
6 tips for shopping online safely at Christmas
1. Use a secure WiFi or Internet connection
It’s convenient (and cheaper) to use public WiFi connections that are not password-protected.
When you connect from your house or from the office, you know who is responsible for the network and who else could be connected, but on a public network, anyone else could be connected.
For this reason, it is far better if you are going to make transactions online -such as Christmas shopping- to do so from a secure Internet connection.
2. Keep your computer up-to-date and protected
Bank details are some of the most sensitive data that you can transfer across the Internet and they are essential when making such transactions. If this Christmas you intend to buy any presents online, make sure your computer is up-to-date and properly protected.
How? Keep your operating system updated and use the best antivirus. Take a look, and choose the one that best adapts to your needs.
3. Buy from well-known sites with a good reputation
One of the first things you should do when shopping online is check that the URL of the website coincides with the website where you think you are and that it begins with HTTPS.
Buying only from reputable online stores will help prevent you from falling victim to data or identity theft.
4. Check the privacy and refunds policies
Check their privacy policy. It should be in a visible place and up-to-date.
Can you return the goods? And what if you want to change something, say, for another size? These are also important things to consider when choosing places to shop online.
5. Don’t follow links in emails and ads
At this time of year it’s not unusual to receive thousands of ads for unbeatable offers. Though it’s worth stopping to think if they aren’t just too good to be true.
Such adverts and email campaigns with offers and fantastic discounts are often used as a tool by cyber-criminals. Avoid phishing scams and don’t fall into the trap.
6. Keep an eye on your credit card transactions
It is also important that after making purchases online you check that all the transactions in your statement are the ones you have made yourself.
If you see anything suspicious, get in touch with your bank.
The post 6 tips for shopping online safely at Christmas appeared first on MediaCenter Panda Security.
Company data at risk by widespread employee access
A large number of companies are leaving their confidential files at risk by over-sharing with employees, according to a new survey by the Ponemon Institute.
The post Company data at risk by widespread employee access appeared first on We Live Security.
Bebe clothing store suffers payment card breach
The clothing chain Bebe has been the latest company to suffer a breach of payment card information to hackers, reports PC World.
The post Bebe clothing store suffers payment card breach appeared first on We Live Security.
Tech Gift Ideas for Boomers
These gifts will definitely make your loved ones feel special this holiday, even if they are not very tech savvy.
Under $50
Winner: Roll Up Travel Charger ($49). I travel a lot and love the simplicity of this travel charger from Restoration Hardware. Not only can it charge up to four gadgets simultaneously, but the roll up design keeps cables out of sight. Perfect!
Runner up: Belkin Bluetooth Receiver ($40). Play music straight from your phone or tablet onto any stereo with a tiny $40 dongle from Belkin.
$50-100
Video
Brookestone Virtual Keyboard
Winner: Virtual Keyboard ($99). Many of us, not just seniors, have problems typing out texts on our iPhones or tablets. This is especially true when the message goes beyond LOL!
With a virtual keyboard, you can turn any flat surface into a QWERTY-friendly environment. I like the Brookstone Virtual Keyboard.
Runner Up: Amazon Kindle ($79). I’ve written before about my love of reading and I still believe that e-readers make great gifts for anyone who enjoys a book. Not only that but many classic novels are available for the Kindle for free!
$100+
Video
Photo Cube Mini Printer
Winner: Photo Cube Mini Printer ($150). Holidays are a time for gatherings and that means picture taking. However, printing pictures that you’ve taken on your phone can be a bit of a hassle.
The printing experts at VuPoint have a solution. The new-millennium version of the Kodak Instamatic, the Photo Cube Printer will instantly print photos straight from any device. No computer needed.
Runner Up: Ringly ($195). What looks like a cocktail ring, is actually a smart device, synced to your phone. It uses vibrations and colored lights to inform you of any calls or messages so you can keep your phone out of sight.
Charitable Causes
I’m looking to make this holiday season more meaningful by giving back. I love the fact that “Giving Tuesday” is taking hold as a holiday shopping idea.
Here are some tips to finding that perfect gift with a conscience:
NPR Giving Gift List:
NPR have created a marvelous Giving Gift List encouraging people to donate their money or time to a good cause and/or by purchase handmade gifts from craftspeople in some of the worlds’ struggling countries.
The list contains beautifully curated and intriguing items– from Guate Custom Boots from Central America for $200 to a Bamboo Bicycle Holder from Ghana priced at $20.
One World Children’s Fund
One World Children’s Fund has many worthwhile projects deserving your support. Personally, I am treasuring a beautiful handmade basket I received from a friend’s charitable organization supporting a secondary school in Tanzania called Tinga Tinga that emphasizes education for girls.
I wish we could set aside every Tuesday as Giving Tuesday. Here’s wishing you happy holidays and I hope this gives you some great gift ideas and a little giving inspiration!
Sony PlayStation Network down due to hacker attack
Poor Sony. They are getting it from all directions these days. On Sunday, the PlayStation Network, the online store for games, movies, and TV shows, suffered a hacker attack and was knocked offline. Visitors to the store got a message that said, ‘Page Not Found! It’s not you. It’s the Internet’s fault.’ I just visited the page, and got this same message, so reports that it was up again, were at best, temporary – at least for some of us.
Sony tweeted yesterday that they were investigating.
We are aware that users are having issues connecting to PSN. Thanks for your patience as we investigate.
— Ask PlayStation (@AskPlayStation) December 8, 2014
A group called Lizard Squad, which was also involved in a hack of Xbox Live last week as well as previous attacks on EA Games and Destiny, claimed responsibility for the attack.
PSN Login #offline #LizardSquad — Lizard Squad (@LizardPatrol) December 8, 2014
During the Xbox hack, Lizard Squad promised that attacks would continue until Christmas.
This attack comes on the heels of news recently that Sony Pictures’ corporate network was infiltrated by cybercrooks which resulted in the theft of 100 terabytes of confidential employee data, business documents, and unreleased films. It was speculated that North Korean hackers were behind the attack due to the upcoming release of the movie “The Interview,” which is about an attempted assassination of Kim Jong-Un. The North Korean government denied responsibility for the attack on Sunday. The attack has since been traced to a luxury hotel in Bangkok, and is being investigated.
The two attacks appear to be unrelated.
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Sony Pictures hacking traced to Thai hotel as North Korea denies involvement
The identity of the Sony Pictures hackers who attacked last week remains a mystery, but we have an alleged location where the attack was masterminded from, according to a report from Bloomberg.
The post Sony Pictures hacking traced to Thai hotel as North Korea denies involvement appeared first on We Live Security.
Tor a major source of bank fraud, says US Treasury Dept.
Tor has been used to mask the identities of cybercriminals in a significant number of bank frauds for over a decade, according to a US Treasury Department report obtained by Brian Krebs on his Krebs on Security website.
The post Tor a major source of bank fraud, says US Treasury Dept. appeared first on We Live Security.
One Billion More: Kaspersky Lab Reports on Cyber Threats in 2014
Identity theft – six tips to help keep yours safe
Private data such as addresses and social security numbers can be just as valuable to cybercriminals as valid credit card details can be to thieves – if not more so. Lock yours down with our tips.
The post Identity theft – six tips to help keep yours safe appeared first on We Live Security.