Staying Cyber Safe This Black Friday and Holiday Season

As Black Friday approaches, millions of shoppers are preparing to fill their carts with deals that seem too good to pass up. Unfortunately, cybercriminals are preparing too. This is their favorite time of year; a perfect storm of urgency, distraction, and opportunity. 

At ISI, we see this every season: as online activity surges and companies slow down for the holidays, attackers ramp up their efforts. They know that overwhelmed shoppers and short-staffed IT teams are easier targets. 

This security advisory isn’t here to ruin the fun of the holidays, but to keep you one step ahead of the people trying to exploit this time of year. 

Why Black Friday Is Prime Time for Cybercrime 

Black Friday marks the unofficial start of the holiday cybercrime wave. Between limited-time deals, promotional emails, and fake websites, even the most security-conscious shoppers can slip up. Attackers rely on the psychology of the season such as urgency, excitement, and trust to lower your guard. 

What many don’t realize is that cybercriminals plan far in advance. They often infiltrate corporate networks months before the holidays, staying quiet while they map systems and wait for the right moment to strike. Once IT teams are on vacation or skeleton crews are covering systems, they act by encrypting files, launching ransomware attacks, or pivoting through networks in search of valuable data. 

Time is critical: the faster an incident is detected and contained, the less damage it causes. 

Common Threats to Watch This Season 

Attackers use a variety of tactics during this time of year aimed at consumers, others at businesses: 

• Phishing and Smishing: Holiday-themed emails or texts posing as order confirmations, “exclusive deals,” or charity requests designed to steal credentials or deliver malware. 

• Fake Online Stores: Fraudulent sites that mimic popular brands, stealing payment info or delivering counterfeit products. 

• Ransomware: Malicious software that locks up critical data and demands payment to restore accesses, especially dangerous for organizations during year-end deadlines. 

• Bot and DDoS Attacks: Automated tools that overwhelm shopping portals or business systems, inflating prices, blocking legitimate users, or causing costly downtime. 

How to Protect Yourself and Your Organization 

For Individuals 

1. Shop smart. Go directly to known retailers and avoid clicking links in ads or emails. 
2. Be skeptical of deals that seem too good to be true. They usually are. 
3. Use secure payment methods. Credit cards or digital wallets offer better fraud protection. 
4. Enable multi-factor authentication. Especially on accounts tied to finances or sensitive data. 
5. Stay current. Keep software and devices updated to close vulnerabilities.

For Businesses 

1. Patch vulnerabilities quickly. Attackers love outdated systems. 
2. Train your teams. Awareness is the first line of defense against phishing and social engineering. 
3. Monitor your network closely. Especially during weekends and holidays when attackers often strike. 
4. Test your incident response plan. Preparation minimizes downtime and loss.

A Season for Celebration and Caution 

The holidays are a time to relax, reflect, and recharge. But cybercriminals don’t take time off and neither do we. At ISI, we remain vigilant 24/7 so you can focus on what matters most. 

As you navigate Black Friday deals and prepare for the year’s end, stay cautious, stay alert, and remember cybersecurity isn’t just a corporate concern, it’s a personal responsibility. 

Stay safe, shop smart, and enjoy a secure holiday season. 

-ISI Cybersecurity Team