Laurence Cadieux
If you’re a proud geek, then there is no shortage of cool things for you to buy during Black Friday and Cyber Monday this year. Want an epic TV that looks like it should be on the bridge of the USS Enterprise? No problem! Care for a blender that autonomously senses and measures the weight of ingredients? You got it! How about a Lord of the Rings Elvish Mechanical Keyboard that even Gandalf doesn’t have? It can be yours!
But what if you’re a tech-lover who ALSO understands the importance of information security? Ah, that’s when the shopping experience can be tough and tedious.
But fear not! To help you get the most out of Black Friday and Cyber Monday this year, we asked our Security Teams to put together a list of security-related products and services that are available at a discount over the next few days (click each link for additional information):
- Antivirus software
- Remote desktop software
- Cybersecurity certifications and courses
- Cybersecurity awareness training
- A VPN
- A security camera
Watch Out for the Bad Guys
Consumers aren’t the only people who dial things up during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Hackers are also taking advantage of the increased shopping activity to commit identity theft. Here are some of scams that happen all the time, but go to the next level particularly around this time of year:
- Phishing: Hackers typically use a sense of urgency and pressure victims into making fast decisions, hoping that they don’t pay attention to the details.
- Fake websites: Hackers create fake online stores for well-known retailers. While some of these are amateur and laughable, others are remarkably authentic-looking. These fake websites offer coveted products at very low prices (see the next section for more on this). But of course, they never deliver the goods. Watch out for websites that misspell the original name of the domain, use numbers instead of letters, or have a subdomain in the website URL code.
- Fake order confirmation: Hackers send brief, seemingly ordinary and harmless text messages and emails asking people to click a link, in order to confirm an order. Naturally, most people immediately realize it’s a scam, because they didn’t buy anything. But some people really did make a purchase from a retailer (or are receiving a purchase from a courier) that is being spoofed by hackers. Unfortunately, in their haste they click the link and open the floodgates.
If It Seems Too Good to Be True…
A moment ago, we highlighted that hackers who set up fake websites typically lure victims with incredibly low prices. The best way to avoid this trap is to follow a fundamental rule: if a deal seems too good to be true, then it probably isn’t true at all. Of course, there are exceptions. But an incredibly massive deal should be approached with caution and skepticism. Double-check, or actually make that triple-check, the URL in the address bar, especially for changes that are easy to miss. Some hackers have been doing this for many years and are alarmingly good at it.
Best Practices
Let’s wrap things up with some best practices to help you get more for less this Black Friday and Cyber Monday:
- Create a plan and stick to it. We all know what happens when we go to the grocery store without a clear idea of what we need — and what we don’t. Yes, that’s right: we end up coming home with bags full of snacks and goodies, and somehow forgot the bread, milk, butter, and other basic staples. A plan, and the discipline to follow it, will ensure that you don’t end up with a bad case of buyer’s remorse.
- Pay attention to social media. Many retailers launch flash sales on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which only last for a few hours (and in some cases a few minutes!). Put your favorite retailers’ social media accounts on your radar screen, and get ready to move fast.
- Don’t forget to stack deals with loyalty programs. Many credit card issuers and various loyalty programs are offering cash-back incentives for purchases made during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Look into these incentives ahead of time, so that you know what card(s) to use to maximize your discount.
- Read the fine print! Ideally, you will love whatever you buy. But what happens if you aren’t happy? Most retailers (including those who sell services instead of products) have some kind of return policy. However, the terms and conditions may change during Black Friday or Cyber Monday. Do your research and clearly understand what the future may hold in the event you want to process a return or cancel a subscription/license.
Stay Safe & Have Fun
Whether you’re purchasing items for yourself, your company, or as a gift (aren’t you nice!), we hope that this article helps point you in the right direction.
We also ask you to please share YOUR advice for safe and fun Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping. In the comments section below, tell us what you’ve learned, and if you’ve found an amazing deal that your fellow community members might enjoy as well!
Steven Lafortune
