Norton Declares November 26 "Cyber Safety Sunday," Advocating for Safe, Scam-Free Online Holiday Shopping

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Nov 14, 2023, 09:00 ET

Experts share tips for shoppers to avoid falling victim to this year's top holiday scams

TEMPE, Ariz. and PRAGUE, Nov. 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- American consumers spend more than $11B on Cyber Monday every year, representing a 512% increase in daily online shopping activity and a huge opportunity for savvy scammers to steal away holiday cheer. In response to the expected increase in holiday cyber-attacks this season, Norton, a consumer Cyber Safety brand of Gen™ (NASDAQ: GEN), has officially declared the Sunday after Thanksgiving as Cyber Safety Sunday, a day of action for holiday shoppers to prepare themselves and their devices to confidently shop online.

Don’t get Scrooged by scammers this holiday. Take steps to protect yourself with the latest holiday shopping safety tips from Norton on Cyber Safety Sunday.

Cyber Safety Sunday officially kicks off Cyber Week, a period during which 42% of people plan to do the majority of their holiday shopping, according to recent data from Norton. With one in four consumers reporting being targeted by scammers last holiday season, Cyber Safety Sunday reminds shoppers to prioritize their online safety and implement security measures to protect their personal and financial information.

"The huge spike in online shopping during the holidays is a huge opportunity for scammers to ramp up their attacks, which are more sophisticated and believable than ever," said Iskander Sanchez-Rola, Director of Privacy Innovation for Norton. "We encourage people to spend time on Cyber Safety Sunday to understand the most prevalent scams and prepare for a safe online shopping experience ahead of Cyber Monday and throughout the gifting season."

While the volume of scam attempts has increased, so have the success rates of fraudsters, with more than half of all those targeted becoming victims. Norton experts shared their top five tips on how to prepare for Cyber Week and defend against scams this holiday season:

Make your list and check it twice. Fake online stores are fast becoming a popular tactic used to fool consumers. Try to shop exclusively on trusted retail sites that have web addresses that start with HTTPS. When using a mobile device, use apps directly provided by retailers rather than shopping from your web browser. Preparing your gift list in advance can prevent you from being tricked by a savvy scammer.
Update and differentiate your passwords for shopping sites before you start filling your cart. Shopping on password protected sites can add a layer of protection but not if you use the same password for multiple sites. Don't give thieves an easy way into your accounts. Keep track of passwords by using a password manager, such as Norton Password Manager.
Set alerts on your accounts to warn you of unusual activity. If you see something wrong, report it immediately. Protect your bank account by only using credit cards when shopping online. Credit card companies have fraud liability protections that debit cards do not.
Have a package delivery plan. Keep track of what you buy, and when and where it is shipping. Postal delivery phishing scams via text, email or phone call are on the rise. Make sure you are shipping your gifts to secure locations or mailboxes to thwart the plans of porch pirates.
Use software and apps to fortify your defenses. Install device protection software, such as Norton 360 Deluxe, to help protect and alert you of potential scams. Additionally, Norton Genie, a free AI-powered scam detection app, provides a fast, easy, and free way to check if something is a scam.

Norton is committed to providing ongoing support and resources to ensure holiday shoppers have a safe and secure holiday season. By participating in Cyber Safety Sunday, consumers can make informed decisions while shopping and contribute to a safer online shopping environment.

This Cyber Safety Sunday people can visit Norton.com to prepare for a safe shopping season and safeguard against online holiday shopping scams. Learn more about the top scams and other holiday shopping insights by viewing the 2023 Holiday Norton Cyber Safety Insights Report.

About Norton

Norton is a leader in Cyber Safety, and part of Gen™ (NASDAQ: GEN), a global company dedicated to powering Digital Freedom with a family of trusted consumer brands. Norton empowers millions of individuals and families with award-winning protection for their devices, online privacy, and identity. Norton products and services are certified by independent testing organizations including AV-TEST, AV-Comparatives, and SE Labs. Norton is a founding member of the Coalition Against Stalkerware. Learn more at https://us.norton.com/.