Safe Black Friday and festive season shopping

Black Friday and the holiday season present exciting opportunities for great deals, but they also lead to an increase in cybercriminal activities. Cybercriminals often impersonate legitimate platforms and create convincing phishing scams, sometimes using artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance their tactics. 

It's important to stay vigilant and protect yourself during this time.

Be cautious when evaluating deals

• Always verify the legitimacy of the source before clicking on any deals. Stick to well-known retailers or trusted websites. 
• Visit the retailer's official website directly rather than clicking on external links to securely access deals and avoid phishing scams.
• Be cautious of offers that appear too good to be true. Cybercriminals often create misleading advertisements to deceive you. Take a moment to assess any deal that seems unusually beneficial.
• Always test second-hand items to ensure they are in good condition before purchasing. Never send money until you have received and inspected the product.

Adopt cybersecurity practices and tools for safer shopping 

• Keep your devices secure by updating your operating system, software and applications as updates and security patches become available to avoid vulnerabilities. 
• Install anti-virus on your machines and devices for an added layer of protection. At UCT, you can install Trellix to protect both UCT-owned and personal machines. It is your responsibility to install a reputable antivirus on your mobile devices though.
• Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on your online accounts, where available, for an added layer of security.
• Download apps and software exclusively from trusted platforms like the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Avoid unofficial websites, which may contain malicious software.
• Check the sources of the programme developer and always look at the source of the application. Research the developer to make sure they are legitimate. 

Guard your personal and financial information

• Never share your usernames, passwords, or sensitive information, even if the request seems legitimate.
• Check that the website's URL starts with https and displays a padlock icon in the address bar when making online payments. If either of these elements is missing, do not proceed with the payment.
• Avoid making any purchases using public WiFi networks, as they might expose your data to potential risks.
• Make sure to regularly check your bank statements. If you notice any suspicious or unfamiliar transactions, report them immediately.

Stay vigilant

If you notice suspicious activity on your UCT account, report it to the UCT Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT) at UCTcsirt@uct.ac.za. Vigilance and proactive reporting are crucial to maintaining a secure environment for everyone.

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