A lot of the preparation for Christmas now happens online – from buying gifts and decorations to ordering festive food, sending digital cards, and catching up with friends and family. While this makes life easier, it can also make us more vulnerable, especially when we’re busy, distracted, or rushing to get things done.
Cyber criminals know this. The festive period often sees a rise in scams, phishing emails, and fake websites. Increasingly, these threats are being enhanced using AI, making them look more convincing and harder to spot than ever before.
Christmas is also an ideal time to pause and check your digital security. Reviewing the settings on your devices, apps, and social media accounts now can help protect you well into the new year. Simple steps such as updating software, checking privacy settings, and using strong, unique passwords can make a real difference.
Get Safe Online has produced a helpful Christmas checklist that clearly explains what to look out for and how to stay protected during the festive season. You can access their advice here:
👉 https://www.getsafeonline.org/christmaschecklist/ alternatively you can download the leaflet here: Christmas Checklist
A few minutes spent checking your online safety now can help ensure the only surprises this Christmas are the good ones.