The holiday season significantly increases cybersecurity risks for businesses, driven by heightened online activity and reduced vigilance among consumers.

Cybercriminals take advantage of this period by launching various attacks, including phishing scams, ransomware, and business email compromise (BEC).

Phishing scams are particularly prevalent during the holidays, often disguised as enticing emails promoting discounts or charity requests, aimed at stealing personal information.

In addition to phishing, scammers create fake e-commerce sites that offer unrealistic deals to capture payment information or distribute malware.

BEC schemes involve impersonating executives or vendors to trick employees into transferring funds or revealing confidential information, which can be especially effective during the holiday season.

Operational disruptions during the holidays can exacerbate the effectiveness of BEC scams, leading to significant financial losses for businesses.

Ransomware attacks also see an uptick, as attackers exploit slower response times typical of the holiday season to encrypt data and demand ransom.

Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks can disrupt services by overwhelming systems, resulting in revenue loss and reputational damage during peak shopping times.

To stay safe during the holiday festivities, individuals should be vigilant about online security, double-check offers, and secure new gadgets.

Using public Wi-Fi networks, commonly found in holiday venues, poses risks for data interception; employing a VPN is recommended to protect sensitive information.

Scammers also create fake charities during the holiday season, exploiting people's generosity, making it crucial to verify organizations before donating.

Smart devices, popular gifts during the holidays, can pose security risks if not properly secured; users should change default passwords and enable two-factor authentication.