8 Tips to Avoid Phishing, Malware, Scams & Hacks While Holiday Shopping Online

Online holiday shopping continues to surge—Adobe predicts global e-commerce spending for the 2024–2025 holiday season will exceed $1.4 trillion, with online traffic increasing more than 20% year over year. Unfortunately, cybercriminal activity rises with it. Scammers are now using AI-generated phishing emails, fake shopping sites, cloned apps, and advanced malware to trick even the most cautious shoppers.

Here are eight updated tips to help you stay safe this holiday season.

1. Be cautious with mobile shopping apps

Fake retail apps remain a major threat, especially during November and December. If you can, avoid downloading new shopping apps altogether. Instead, shop directly on the retailer’s official website in your browser. Even apps from legitimate app stores can be impersonated or tampered with.

2. Buy hard-to-find items only from trusted retailers

If you’re hunting for niche gadgets, accessories, or “too good to be true” deals, stick to reputable sites like Amazon, major retailers, or trusted local stores. Many scam websites mimic popular brands and disappear after collecting card details. Paying slightly more is safer than dealing with fraudulent charges later.

3. Update your browser & use protective extensions

Malicious ads remain one of the biggest infection vectors. Use an ad blocker and enable browser transparency/anti-tracking extensions. Most importantly, keep your browser updated—security patches fix vulnerabilities that attackers actively target during high-traffic seasons.

4. Skip new loyalty programs

Discounts in exchange for signing up sound tempting, but they often require unnecessary personal data. Many loyalty programs share information with third parties or have weak data protection. If you’re not a long-term customer, skip the sign-up and check the privacy policy before giving away details.

5. Use a DNS/web filter

Modern DNS filters like Quad9, Cloudflare Family, or OpenDNS block fraudulent and malicious sites in real time. They’re free, quick to set up, and add an extra protective layer between you and potential threats.

6. Use a password manager

A password manager can generate strong, unique passwords for all your shopping accounts, reducing the risk of credential leaks. Many now include breach alerts and autofill protection, making online shopping both safer and easier.

7. Avoid shopping on public Wi-Fi

Public or open Wi-Fi makes you vulnerable to data interception. If you must shop on the go, use your mobile hotspot or a trusted network that requires a secure login. Avoid entering payment information on unsecured networks.

8. Check for HTTPS every time

Always make sure the site has HTTPS, not just HTTP. Modern browsers highlight insecure pages, but scammers still use fake pages without proper encryption. If a site doesn’t show HTTPS, do not enter personal or payment details.