Do you use Gmail? If you do, you might have noticed a new addition to…

Encryption; why it should matter to you

Springtime for us means it’s time for none another than…spring cleaning! And if there is…

How to spring clean your PC!

Remember that time that you, channeling your inner diva, began to belt it out on…

The dangers of public Wi-Fi

Chalk it up to the fact that homo sapiens have always had to find new…

Curiosity killed the computer

Perhaps it’s no coincidence that “adware” and “annoying” both start with the letter A, because…

Adware Goes Rogue

We have written a lot about ransomware in all different forms and incarnations here on…

Ransomware, Ransomware , Everywhere

We’re betting you love your smartphone. It’s okay if you do, because you’re in good…

The Banking Trojan in Your Pocket (or, Why Your Smartphone is Way Less Secure Than you Think it is)

Where were you in 2012? If you were on LinkedIn back then, there’s a good…

Have you Been Pwned in the LinkedIn Data Dump? Here is how to Tell!

Remember how your crazy old Aunt Sally stashed all her money in between mattresses because…

Lessons from the SWIFT Fiasco; Could you be Banking Safer ?

June is upon us and with it comes some of life’s sweet little pleasures –…

The Mega Hacks Cometh!

Invariably, if you use the internet a lot, you probably hear the term “The cloud”…

Are You a Closet-Cloud-Confusee? Understanding The Cloud and What it Means for Your Security

So if you remember, about two weeks ago we told you about a huge string…

Mark Zuckerberg Gets a Lesson in Password Safety

Boom! Whizz! Bang! Typically, when you think of the Fourth of July, you think about…

The How to Liberate  Your Device From Intruders Guide for the Fourth of July

Wondering what your friend or co-worker is doing, staring at his or her phone, wandering…

Go, Pokemon Go! The Latest Craze that Could Fill your Device with Malware

So not only is Pokemon go the biggest craze ever (seemingly anyway), it also seems…

Privacy in the Age of Pokemon Go!

We are well into the summer and for a whole lot of people that means…

Sure, it's Not Your Fault; But They Got Your CC Info Anyway

We’re finally in the home stretch – In just a few days, school starts up…

8 Essential Back-to-School Cyber Security Tips for a Rockin&#039; (and secure) School Year

Happy National Online Learning Day! Wait, is that even a thing? Well, it is and…

Happy Online Learning Day! (Yup, it's Really a Thing!)

Here at Reason Software, we are excited to announce the release of Unchecky v1.0. This…

Unchecky v1.0 is Here! Interview with Michael Maltsev

Attention any and all persons weighing 400 pounds or more — Donald Trump thinks you…

Is Cyber Security Worth a Spotlight at the Debates?

Gather ‘round and we’ll tell you a tale (okay, a few tales) of mystery, murder,…

Creepy Tales from the Internet of Things Crypt

As morning hits around the globe, the world is waking up to find out that…

Lessons Learned From the Election Shocker; Don't Let Hacks Take You by Surprise

For better or for worse, the biggest shopping season of the year has arrived. Now…

The Ultimate How to Not Get Hacked While Shopping Online Guide

Oh, Thanksgiving Day. You probably get a warm and fuzzy feeling even before the sugar…

The (Rotten) Gift that Keeps on Giving

As if worrying that your Android might suddenly explode wasn’t enough to worry about. Researchers…

The Gooligan Android Breach; What you Need to Know

“Um, honey, I think we have a problem. The computer is telling me that all…

Vulnerability of the year: Ransomware

2016 has come and gone and now we can look back at the year that…

A is for Apple, B is for BitCoin; The Most Noteworthy Data Breaches of 2016

It’s been a full fifteen minutes since you last checked your Facebook account (oh, the…

Fake News Flash; Think Before you Share!

Mobile devices have come a long way. We mean a reeeallly long way. In but…

Simple Tips to Spotting Evil Apps

How does the idea of a smart city sound to you? The term might conjure…

The Hidden Dangers in Smart Cities + 5 Bonus Tips to Secure Your IoT Devices

You know the only saying “Nothing is certain but death and taxes”? Seems pretty clear…

5 Tricky Tax Season Scams and How to Avoid Them

When was the last time you went to your bank? If it feels like you’re…

5 Major FinTech Security Concerns You Need to Know About Before You Bank

In honor of Mother’s Day, we thought it would be fitting to take a look…

The amazing mothers of tech

By now, WannaCry is a household name. The ransomware that shocked the world on May…

WannaCry No More? You Better Start Patching

When is adware not just adware? When it’s also malware, of course! Fireball, a new…

Fireball & the explosive malware heard around the world

Imagine this scene: You’re sitting at home one night, happily watching House of Cards on…

Attacks to critical Infrastructures: the next cyber front to worry about

“We pride ourselves on being a leader in managing and protecting data….We also are focused…

Think Your ID was Exposed in the Equifax Breach? Here&#039;s What to do About it

This post has been updated to reflect the current BitCoin to UD Dollar exchange rate,…

Everything You Need to Know About Cryptocurrency

In a recent post, we discussed the basics of cryptocurrency — what it is, how…

The Role of Cryptocurrency In Cyber Crime

Remember the Petya/NotPetya ransomware outbreak from back in June? That was the ransomware that was…

Bad Rabbit: The New Ransomware With Some Famous Cousins

“It’s the most hackable time of the year.”  Oh wait, that’s not how the song…

How To Steer Clear of Cyber Monday Scams

As the holidays draw closer, chances are you’re busy making your gift list and checking…

What NOT to buy for the holidays

Another day, another oddly named malware attack. Last week, researchers from Kaspersky disclosed that they…

ZooPark and Watering Hole Attacks

So now, May 25th has come and gone. If you live in the EU, you’re…

Oh, the irony; phishers are using GDPR to scam you

Which is worse: getting hit with crypto mining malware or falling prey to ransomware? with…

Ransomware or crypto mining malware? Rakhni is both!

You may not have known, but September 15th is National Online Learning Day. Nowadays, it…

Watch out for online learning scams!

Veux-tu Virobot? For the non-francophones among us, what we’re asking is if you’ve heard about…

Virobot: are monster mash-ups the future of ransomware?

January 28th is International Data Privacy Day. If you’re wondering why data privacy needs its…

It's Data Privacy Day: What does your camera know about you?

Today, cameras are everywhere — on our phones, our Alexas, baby monitors, desktops, laptops, home…

Webcam hacking; taking back what’s yours

In spring 2018, a powerful banking Trojan named BackSwap surfaced, targeting online banking users in…

Browser-based threats; Don’t worry, we’ve got your back

Another day, another major hack. This time around, India-based outsourcing giant Wipro was hit with…

To Scan or Not to Scan; The Proactive Way to Protect Your PC

  Today is Mother’s Day, the day set aside to honor those special women, who…

The 5 Coolest Mother’s Day Tech Gifts You Can Find (and how to secure them!)

Reason is excited to launch Reason for Business, a powerful endpoint security protection solution for…

We Invite You to Join Reason for Business Beta

Cybersecurity breaches only make the headlines when they involve large entities like banks or tech…

Think SMBs Fall Under the Radar as Targets for Cyber Threats? Think Again.

The threat landscape is undeniably becoming more challenging and more menacing every day. It seems…

Reason Download Defender- It’s time to defend your downloads.

While spring cleaning may only come around once a year, PC cleaning needs to happen…

Should I Remove It? It’s cleaning time! How to declutter your PC.

6 tips for celebrating National Online Learning Day and keeping your data safe! Magnifying the…

To learn (online) or not to learn?

Next up on the ‘crazy meter’, and probably the ‘creepy meter’ as well, is the…

What happens when ‘ransomware’ meets ‘crazy’?

Recently, the cryptoblackmail scam, “ScamYourself”, has returned to the market – many usersworldwide have been…

Threat Analysis Report: Save Yourself Malware

The advent of the Internet and Internet-enabled technologies not only ushered in the era of…

Threat Intelligence; A Unifying Force of the Future.

Halloween: Famous SMB Cyber Attacks in Disguise. Halloween normally conjures up images of costumes and…

All Tricks and No Treats

Looking for another reason to put on your party hat? Well, we’ve got one: International…

International Internet Day: A Reminder about Security Online.

Before launching into a discussion on how an antivirus detects malware, it’s important to first…

How does an antivirus detect malware?

Start by Installing Reason Cybersecurity – Get 70% Off Today! Think about this for a minute:…

How to Keep Your Business Safe on Cyber Monday

Get 70% Off Reason Cybersecurity on Black Friday and Keep Your Business out of the…

Cyber attacks and Black Friday: It only takes one to put you on the red

Hacking has evolved into a billion-dollar growth business, making hackers relentless in their pursuit to…

Can Antivirus Programs Stop Hackers?

Windows 10, according to theinquirer.net, is a particularly appealing target for hackers and virus writers…

Which Antivirus is Best for Window 10?

Antivirus programs were initially created to distinguish and expel PC infections. Be that as it…

What is antivirus software and how can it protect you?

I think we can all agree that pups, the friendly, loyal, man’s-best-friend kind are cute…

Unwanted Software Blockers: Why Small Businesses Need Them

It’s here, 2020, the start of not just a new year, but a new decade…

Small business growth and guardianship in 2020: staying safe from hackers

Today, Windows 10 comes with Windows Defender, a native, comprehensive antivirus solution already integrated into…

What antivirus software comes with Windows 10?

So you’ve finally decided on the antivirus (AV) software you want to install and are…

Will antivirus software remove existing viruses?

We hear the terms ‘antivirus’ and ‘antimalware’ bandied about so much it’s easy to understand…

Can antivirus detect malware?

To answer the question, ‘can antivirus software remove viruses’, we should first examine what antivirus…

Can Antivirus Remove Virus?

While there is no quick way to answer which antivirus is better, there are at…

Which antivirus is better?

If you perform a Google search to find out which antivirus is good, the search…

Which antivirus is good?

If Windows is your computer operating system, you’re in good company; according to statista.com, Windows…

Which is the best antivirus for Windows?

The best protection against viruses and malware is reliable, up-to-date, antivirus software. Fortunately, there are…

Which antivirus should I use?

Learning about antivirus programs and how antivirus programs protect your computer is a good first…

How antivirus programs protect your computer

If you’re alarmed by all the news reports about malware attacks and the damage they…

It’s been over 40 years since the Creeper computer virus, made its appearance, and although…

Is an antivirus necessary?

“Reaper”, the first antivirus software, was created in response to “Creeper” the first computer virus,…

Are antivirus programs worth it?

According to cybercrime statistics from cpomagazine.com and websitehostingrating.com respectively, cybercrimes account for trillions of dollars…

Why is antivirus software important?

The term ‘antivirus’ is a bit of a misnomer today, since today’s antivirus software must…

why antivirus is needed?

The first question people usually ask about antivirus (AV) software, is ‘do I really need…

How do you know what antivirus to use?

Hackers are always looking for security holes so that they can install malware on your…

Which Antivirus is Best for Laptops?

Windows 10 was first launched in 2015, but it wasn’t until January 2018 that it…

Which Antivirus is Best for Windows 7

We hear a lot about the importance of having antivirus software on our computers, but…

How Does Antivirus Software Work?

According to a recent report from statista.com, an online statistics portal, 74% of Americans own…

Which antivirus is best for a Windows 10 laptop?

To combat the continuously evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats, antivirus software has been changing and…

How Antivirus Software Works

The alarming proliferation of malware and cyber attacks, reported almost daily in the news, has…

What antivirus do I need?

If a salesperson at a clothing store asked you if you needed any help and…

Browser or big brother? ReasonLab’s secure browsing premium feature protects your business

Antivirus, aka anti-virus, aka anti-malware, aka security software, has been around since 1971, and yes,…

What do antivirus do?

Cybercrime is on the rise; it is becoming increasingly ubiquitous and menacing. From private individuals,…

Which antivirus should I buy?

Cybercrime is a global phenomenon and India has been just as affected by it as…

Which antivirus is best for PCs in India

For a very long time, it was widely promulgated that Apple computers didn’t get infected…

What antivirus does Apple use?

Pretty much anyone who uses the Internet today has heard of computer viruses and malware…

How Antivirus Protects Your Data

The right to privacy has a long, sometimes contentious history, but today it is recognized…

Can small businesses really keep their data private?

Happy Valentine’s Day to all the cyber criminals in the world! …said no small business…

Small businesses need some Valentine’s Day love too

You can’t make this stuff up. One Sunday last year, Gillian Franklin, owner of Heat…

7 Cybersecurity Beauty Hacks You Need to Know!

## Christmas phishing scams - Why are they so popular?

The festive season is upon us, bringing joy, warmth, and unfortunately, an increase in holiday scams designed to exploit the goodwill and online shopping frenzy. As you prepare for the festivities, it's crucial to be aware of common scams that could jeopardize your holiday cheer.

**Did you know? Estimates suggest that [1 in 4](https://company.f-secure.com/en/for-media/experts-warn-shoppers-to-stay-alert-this-holiday-season) online shoppers may fall victim to shopping scams during the festive period.**

<ButtonImage
  buttonLabel="Run Free Scan Now"
  cta="https://lp3.reasonlabs.com/dwm/online-security?aflt=70&utm_source=Website-blog&utm_campaign=christmas_scams"
  imageSource="https://cms-reasonlabs-com.s3.amazonaws.com/cdn/Group_17178_53b9a3ccc5.png"
/>

Unfortunately, cyber criminals are out in force during this period, preying on the fact that online shopping activity increases in the lead-up to Christmas. Likewise, holiday deals on different brands and goods, as well as holiday travel deals, are also hugely popular at this time - as is the urgency that may lead to lax security as shoppers seek to make their Christmas preparations, while also scooping great value deals. In this blog post, we'll explore prevalent Christmas shopping scams and provide insights on how to avoid falling victim to them, with a special focus on the role of ReasonLabs in enhancing your online security.

## 1. Phishing Email Scams: Cyber Christmas Warning
Scammers often send [phishing](https://cyberpedia.reasonlabs.com/EN/phishing.html) emails disguised as holiday promotions. Holiday e-cards are also becoming increasingly popular over the traditional snail mail versions, but unfortunately there may be fraudulent versions that have the potential to deliver malware to your device. 
### How to avoid falling victim to phishing email holiday scams:

- Avoid clicking on suspicious links.
- Check the sender’s email address to verify that it’s real.
- Use a reliable antivirus such as [RAV Endpoint Protection](https://reasonlabs.com/) to detect and block phishing attempts.
## 2. Fake Gift Christmas Scams: The Gift That Keeps on Taking
Beware of unsolicited gift card offers from unknown sources. You might come across an offer for an enticing gift card balance or a card sold at a significantly discounted price compared to its face value. However, clicking on the link provided in the email or text, supposedly to claim your gift card, may result in malware installation, the compromise of your personal data, or receiving a stolen card.

Gift-giving pyramid schemes are on the rise, with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) labeling these social media gift exchanges as ‘[Secret Sister](https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/18854-bbb-warning-secret-sister-gift-exchange-is-illegal)’ scams. In this scam, the thief sends an inviting phishing email, e-card, or social media message e.g. send just one gift and receive up to 36 gifts back. Unfortunately, not only will you lose your gift and not receive the others that were promised to you, but fraudsters will now have your personal information.
### How to avoid gift phishing scams:

- Stick to reputable retailers
- Use [Dark Web Monitoring](https://cyberpedia.reasonlabs.com/EN/dark%20web%20monitoring.html) to scan your email for data leaks
- Remember that gift exchange schemes online are almost always a scam - you are better off creating your own Secret Santa group with known friends and family!

**Secure your privacy. Check cybercriminals don’t have access to your personal info.**

<ButtonImage
  buttonLabel="Run Free Scan Now"
  cta="https://lp3.reasonlabs.com/dwm/online-security?aflt=70&utm_source=Website-blog&utm_campaign=christmas_scams"
  imageSource="https://cms-reasonlabs-com.s3.amazonaws.com/cdn/Group_17178_53b9a3ccc5.png"
/>

## 3. Counterfeit Websites: The Grinch's Online Lair
Fraudsters create fake phishing websites with too-good-to-be-true deals on popular gift items, with the aim of tricking victims into sending payment, sharing credit card details, or collecting personal information. These could range from luxury goods to buy-in-bulk items, or Buy 1 Get One Free deals.
### How to avoid shopping on counterfeit phishing sites:

- If the deal looks too good to be true - it probably is!
- Check for secure connections - a verified website should start with ‘https’.
- Identify and block malicious websites with the Online Security browser extension.

## 4. Social Media Scams: Christmas Elves or Online Trolls?
Scammers exploit the holiday buzz on social media platforms. Be cautious of fake giveaways and offers advertised on social media. The latest [social media shopping scam](https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/29300-bbb-scam-alert-social-media-discount-code-shopping-scam) involves fraudsters using TikTok and other social media platforms to pose as aggrieved ex-employees, ‘exposing’ steep discount codes from their previous employer — but with the discount code comes a high ‘shipping cost’, so before you know it you are much more out of pocket than you realize!

Scammers may also use hacked accounts to advertise steep discounts on luxury or in-demand goods — but the products either don’t arrive or are cheap knockoffs of what was advertised.
### How to avoid social media Christmas scams:

- Don’t engage with strangers on social media who are trying to ruthlessly sell you something.
- Employ [two-factor authentication (2FA)](https://cyberpedia.reasonlabs.com/EN/two-factor%20authentication%20(2fa).html) or [multifactor-authentication (MFA)](https://cyberpedia.reasonlabs.com/EN/multi-factor%20authentication.html) on all your social media accounts - this will protect your accounts from getting hacked and used for future fraudulent purposes.
- Use a browser extension like [Online Security](https://reasonlabs.com/platform/products/online-security) which can intercept malicious cookies and trackers that target you with hostile advertising, adding an extra layer of defense against social media scams.

## 5. Shipping and Delivery Scams: Holiday Season Predators
Fake shipping or delivery notifications are designed to trick users into revealing personal information. For example, fraudsters send fake delivery notifications claiming your packages are delayed, that extra payments are required, or that there are other issues that need your attention. 

If you have been targeted by one of these types of scams, you may have been sent an email or text message that includes a link to click to “solve” the issue. But if you click it, you’ll be taken to a fake website that will steal your personal and payment information.
### How to avoid fake delivery and shipping scams:

- Verify tracking details independently so you can track your package on the company or courier site.
- If an SMS or email seems suspicious, don’t engage with it - do not reply, and do not open any attachments.
- Use a cybersecurity product such as [RAV Endpoint Protection](https://reasonlabs.com/platform/products/endpoint-protection) to provide comprehensive defense across your PC and detect malicious emails and messages.

**Secure your privacy. Check cybercriminals don’t have access to your personal info.**

<ButtonImage
  buttonLabel="Run Free Scan Now"
  cta="https://lp3.reasonlabs.com/dwm/online-security?aflt=70&utm_source=Website-blog&utm_campaign=christmas_scams"
  imageSource="https://cms-reasonlabs-com.s3.amazonaws.com/cdn/Group_17178_53b9a3ccc5.png"
/>

## 6. Charity Cons: 'Tis the Season to Give (Wisely)
Don’t let acts of kindness turn you into a victim! Be wary of scammers taking advantage of the holiday giving spirit. Criminals looking for financial gain may make fraudulent phone calls – possibly [spoofing](https://www.fcc.gov/spoofing) legitimate charities' phone numbers – or may set up fake charities to try to steal your money or personal information. They may even cleverly include added enticements in their charity pitches, such as end-of-the-year tax write-offs. 
### How to avoid goodwill charity Christmas scams:

- Check the legitimacy of charities before donating by researching who the charity is, and what they do. Crowd-funding websites such as GoFundMe campaigns are should be [verified](https://www.consumerreports.org/crowdfunding/be-careful-about-donating-through-crowdfunding) to ensure legitimacy, so make sure you do your homework.
- Verify the charity phone number is real. If plan to donate to charity by text, double-check the charity's official website to see if the number you have is legitimate. Also, verify the information provided in online solicitations, such as on social media platforms, before you donate or submit your credit card details. 
- Utilize cybersecurity software such as [Online Security’s URL blocker](https://reasonlabs.com/platform/products/online-security) that protects against security threats from suspicious websites.

## 7. Seasonal Job Scams: Santa’s Helpers or Identity Theft?
Retailers hire thousands of temporary workers during the holidays. Before agreeing to work for anyone, watch out for job scams designed to collect your personal information, including Social Security numbers and bank account information.
### How to avoid seasonal job scams:

- Verify the company or credentials of your prospective employer.
- [Glassdoor](https://www.glassdoor.com/index.htm) offers potential employees the opportunity to read reviews before starting work allowing you to check that the job offer is real.
- Utilize [two-factor authentication (2FA)](https://cyberpedia.reasonlabs.com/EN/two-factor%20authentication%20(2fa).html) or [multifactor-authentication (MFA)](https://cyberpedia.reasonlabs.com/EN/multi-factor%20authentication.html) on all account information so that even if a scammer gets hold of your details, they won’t get very far.

## 8. Wi-Fi Eavesdropping: Staying Cyber Safe
Public Wi-Fi networks can be breeding grounds for cyber attacks. If you are planning to do some Christmas shopping online, make sure you protect your online surfing activities from hackers who would love to steal your credentials once you’ve neutered your payment details.
### How to protect against Wi-Fi hacking:

- Be cautious about logging on to unprotected networks.
- Be aware of notifications that warn you about logging on to particular websites or networks.
- Safeguard your online activities using a VPN such as[ RAV VPN](https://reasonlabs.com/platform/products/vpn).

**Secure your privacy. Check cybercriminals don’t have access to your personal info.**

<ButtonImage
  buttonLabel="Run Free Scan Now"
  cta="https://lp3.reasonlabs.com/dwm/online-security?aflt=70&utm_source=Website-blog&utm_campaign=christmas_scams"
  imageSource="https://cms-reasonlabs-com.s3.amazonaws.com/cdn/Group_17178_53b9a3ccc5.png"
/>

## 9. Travel Scams: Holiday Cheer vs. Fake Deals
People often use the holiday period to take a trip - either somewhere warm to escape the freezing temperatures, or North on a Santa quest. However, scammers may try to take advantage of would-be travelers, with travel scams offering unrealistic deals. Travel phishing scams often use social engineering on spoofed travel websites to harvest private data. 
### How to avoid travel Christmas scams:

- Avoid too good to be true” deals. Use official travel sites rather than clicking on well-placed ads. If you can’t find the same deal, or at least a relatively similar one on the airline’s website (or on trustworthy third-party booking sites), it’s most likely a scam. 
- Don’t give out personal information on the ‘follow-up call’. Part 2 of the travel scam often involves fraudsters calling to request additional information after you book a flight. They’ll request your flight information, credit card details, and more — all of which they can use for financial and identity theft.
- Use cybersecurity software such as [Online Security browser extension](https://reasonlabs.com/platform/products/online-security) to verify the legitimacy of travel websites and emails.

## 10. Crypto Gift Card Scams: Cutting-Edge or Risky?
You may have decided this is the year to break away from the traditional gift card and opt for something cutting-edge. However, if you do decide to go down the [cryptocurrency](https://cyberpedia.reasonlabs.com/EN/cryptocurrency.html) route, proceed with caution: These scams often target individuals who may not be familiar with cryptocurrencies or those who are looking for quick ways to invest or make money.
### How to recognize a crypto gift card scam:

- Scammers will impersonate trusted entities, such as customer support from popular cryptocurrency platforms, government agencies, or tech support services. They will then use urgent language to pressure you into parting with the gift card details. Don’t feel threatened - you are entitled to take the time to verify that someone is who they say they are.
- If you suspect a crypto card scam, report it to the relevant authorities.
- Educate yourself on scam awareness. Visit the [ReasonLabs](https://reasonlabs.com/) site for more information on recognizing different online scams. 

## 11. Letter from Santa Scam: A Warning to Parents!
A handwritten letter from Santa to your child may seem like a great creative gift idea but in the past, these gift ideas have been [hijacked](https://www.fox17online.com/news/national/the-letters-from-santa-scam-parents-should-know-about#:~:text=Someone%20will%20email%20you%20an,legitimate%2C%20though%20it%20is%20not.) to become yet another Christmas scam.  The offer will usually take you to a website that can appear legitimate, where you can customize your letter from Santa Claus.  However, unsuspecting parents who purchase the item and enter their credit card information may find themselves unwitting victims of identity theft. The threat actors may even have procured your child’s name and address, which is also extremely worrying.

### How to avoid the ‘Letter from Santa’ scam: 
- Verify the website: Make sure the website has real contact information. If something goes wrong with your order, you need to be able to contact the business at a physical address. When in doubt, confirm that the address and phone number are real.
- Do your research: Check previous customer reviews to verify that the company is genuine.
- Use security software that can detect threats and malicious websites, such as [Online Security](https://reasonlabs.com/platform/products/online-security) browser extension .

## 12. Toy Scams: Santa's Not-So-Trustworthy Helpers
In their desperation to get their child that sought-after popular ‘toy of the year 2023’ parents may forget to stay as vigilant as they should. Scammers are great at preying on desperate people - they can create fake websites that claim to sell in-demand toys, but either never ship you the product, or send a cheap imitation knock-off instead.
### How to avoid Christmas toy scams:

- Only purchase toys from reputable retailers.
- Don't be fooled by a ‘great deal’ - super-low prices are often the biggest red flags!
- Use [Online Security browser extension](https://reasonlabs.com/platform/products/online-security) to scan websites for potential scams.

As you celebrate the season of giving, don't let cyber scrooges dampen your holiday spirit. Stay vigilant, employ the best cybersecurity practices, and let the full ReasonLabs Cybersecurity suite be your digital guardian against the 12 scams of Christmas. Wishing you a safe and joyous holiday season! For more information on all ReasonLabs products and services, visit [www.reasonlabs.com](http://www.reasonlabs.com). 

**Secure your privacy. Check cybercriminals don’t have access to your personal info.**

<ButtonImage
  buttonLabel="Run Free Scan Now"
  cta="https://lp3.reasonlabs.com/dwm/online-security?aflt=70&utm_source=Website-blog&utm_campaign=christmas_scams"
  imageSource="https://cms-reasonlabs-com.s3.amazonaws.com/cdn/Group_17178_53b9a3ccc5.png"
/>

The festive season is upon us, bringing joy, warmth, and unfortunately, an increase in holiday scams designed to exploit the goodwill and online shopping frenzy. As you prepare for the festivities, it's crucial to be aware of common scams that could jeopardize your holiday cheer.


#Ransomware

12 Scams of Christmas: How To Avoid Holiday Phishing Scams!

Top Cybersecurity Trends for 2023: What Do Home Users Need To Know?

It’s Halloween! Scary Cyber Attacks and How To Avoid Them

Independence Day: Cybersecurity Brings Independence to SMBs

Complete security for your device, privacy and identity.