Website Security Tips for Cyber Monday

With the growing popularity of the Internet over the past decade, the retail holiday Cyber Monday debuted in 2005 as the online version of Black Friday. It quickly became one of the biggest online shopping days of the year, and by 2011 consumers were spending $1.25 billion online on the Monday after Thanksgiving.

• 25% of U.S. consumers’ spending during the holiday season is through an online retailer
• It is estimated that throughout the 2012 holiday season, online shoppers will spend over $54 billion, an increase of almost 17% from last year

While this influx of holiday shoppers purchasing gifts for themselves and loved ones is great for online businesses, there are risks that come along with the rewards. Santa’s not the only one sneaking around this season; website hackers are on-the-go and they’re bringing something even worse than lumps of coal – viruses, malware and more.

• Websites experience multiple attacks per day.

Protect Your Website in time for Cyber Monday

If you’re the owner of an eCommerce website, it’s important to stay proactive about protecting your online reputation.

• Make sure you have the proper protection plan in place for your website’s size and complexity.
• If your business accepts credit cards as a form of payment, be sure that you are PCI compliant to avoid facing fines and jeopardizing the privacy of your customers’ financial data.
• If your site is already safe and secure, display a security badge (such as the SiteLock Trust Seal), to show your visitors that you care about their safety and increase your sales conversions.

Tips to Avoid Falling Victim to Cyberattacks

• Beware of unsolicited emails that look like a coupon or promotion from a company; they could be a phishing scam that attempts to steal your credit card information. Before you open an email that looks like a coupon or promotion, check the sender’s address to make sure it doesn’t look suspicious.
• When shopping on a website, make sure that the company’s URL is secure. If the URL starts with “HTTPS” it is a secure site; if not, your information may be susceptible to data mining.
• If you discover an online store that’s offering unbelievable sale specials, do some research to make sure that it is not a fake front that will disappear later in the day. Use online business reviews or social sites to check the legitimacy of these stores before you provide them with any of your information.

For questions regarding your safety online, the SiteLock security experts are happy to answer any questions you may have! Don’t hesitate to give us a call at 855.378.6200.