Tips for Enhancing Digital Security During Black Friday and Cyber Monday Online Shopping

🛡️ Tips for Strengthening Digital Security During Black Friday and Cyber Monday Online Shopping The Office of the Communications Commissioner - Digital Security Authority reminds citizens that the period of major online sales, such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday, is a favorite hunting ground for cybercriminals who attempt to exploit increased consumer activity. To protect your personal and financial data, we recommend following the best cybersecurity practices below: 🔒 1. Only shop from reliable and verified websites Ensure that the web address starts with https:// and that the padlock icon appears in your browser's address bar. Avoid purchases through links in advertisements or messages that do not come from official sources. ⚠️ 2. Be cautious of suspicious offers and fake websites Carefully check the store name and URL address. Offers that seem excessively attractive are often phishing traps or scams. 🧾 3. Do not save payment details Avoid saving card numbers on online accounts. If possible, use prepaid or virtual cards for extra security. 📧 4. Always check emails and do not click suspicious links Scammers send messages impersonating well-known stores. Carefully check the sender's address and do not open attachments or links unless you are certain of their origin. 🔑 5. Use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) Create unique and strong passwords for every account and enable two-factor authentication where available. 📱 6. Avoid shopping over public Wi-Fi Use secure connections (mobile data or VPN) when making online transactions. 💳 7. Regularly monitor your bank account movements Check your e-banking frequently for suspicious transactions and contact your bank immediately in case of unusual activity. The Office of the Communications Commissioner - Digital Security Authority, with a focus on protecting citizens and internet users, has developed an innovative platform to detect potential phishing addresses. The platform allows users to check whether a website is safe or may be a scam. By entering the URL address, citizens can report malicious pages to the Digital Security Authority by clicking the "Report Malicious Website" button, thus protecting both themselves and other users from potential scams and financial losses. If you have been a victim of a scam, you can contact the relevant department of the Cyprus Police by selecting the "Report Scam" button displayed on the platform's homepage. For further advice on protection against so-called "phishing" and other threats, users can consult the "Best Practices" also provided on the platform. This action strengthens national cybersecurity efforts, making the internet safer for everyone. 🔗 You can visit the platform at the following link: https://getsafeonline.dsa.ee.cy The Digital Security Authority and the National Cyber Security Incident Response Team – National CSIRT-CY (www.csirt.cy) remain available to citizens for information, support, and reporting incidents at 1490 or via 📧 Strengthening digital resilience requires constant vigilance and responsible behavior from everyone. 👉 Stay informed, protect your data, and contribute to a safer digital environment for all.