'Tis the Season for Cyber Safety

With the holiday season upon us, a lot of cybersecurity blogs and websites are publishing strategies for people to utilize in order to stay safe online. As more people are using the internet to shop during the months of November and December, there are a lot of scams out there designed to steal your personal financial information. Here are some helpful articles with tips that you can use to keep your identity and other data safe online.

• This article from CNET.com is about how you can recognize and avoid phishing e-mails. Phishing attcks attempt to trick a person into giving up their personal information such as bank account passwords and credit card numbers. Phishing emails can sometimes be hard to spot, so it is important to know what to look for.
• Computerworld security offers a look at five things that people do to put themselves at risk to hackers and other online criminals.
• OnGuard Online , a site maintained by the Federal Trade Commission, has a helpful tip guide for shopping online anytime throughout the year.
  
• Internet security company, McAfee, is warning users of the "12 Scams of Christmas" in this article posted by CNET.com.

The internet is a fantastic way to keep in touch with family and friends during the holidays. It is also great for avoiding the mall crowds by shopping from the comfort of your own home, just remember to follow the safety guidelines that were published in the above articles. Have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!