Retail Cyberattacks Surge: How to Protect Your Online Orders

The spike in cyber attacks is being felt across the retail sector causing the supply chain to come to a halt, shelves to empty, and consumer information to be compromised.

Recent events, such as the impact to United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI), a key supplier to Whole Foods and other giants, underscore an increasing vulnerability to those who shop on-line. Customers are warned to increase their vigilance and take precautionary actions to protect their online orders and their personal details.”

Cybersecurity professionals report a spike in retail-focused attacks, increasingly more sophisticated on the part of the infiltrators. These attacks not only shut down sales and cause supply chain pandemonium, but they open the spigot on sensitive customer details like names, email addresses, phone numbers, and even order histories, which may be used in future fraud attempts.

The recent cases at high-profile brands such as Marks & Spencer, Victoria’s Secret, Adidas, The North Face and Cartier show how wide-reaching this growing threat has become.

The effect on consumers may include orders being canceled and delays in delivery, as well as an increased risk for phishing scams and identity theft.

Even the most sophisticated cybercriminals rely on stolen information to create realistic-looking fake emails or promotions that prey on people to click on dangerous links or continuing to disclose personal information.

Considering these mounting threats, protecting your online orders and personal information has never been more important. Here are key things consumers can do:

Be Good at Password Hygiene: Use difficult-to-guess unique passwords for all online accounts. Never use the same password in different places. Try a good password manager to keep your passwords secure and strong.

Turn on Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): If available, choose MFA on your online retail accounts. That’s an extra layer of security, usually, you need a code from your phone, in addition to your usual password, and it means it’s a lot tougher for someone who’s not you to sign in.

Watch Out for Phishing Scams: Watch out for unsolicited emails or messages that seem to come from a legitimate retailer. Avoid clicking on any suspicious links or download any attachments. Tripsy AVOID, go in person or directly to the companies Website or app to confirm any promotion and account update.

Keep a Close Eye on Accounts: Check your bank statements and credit card activity often for any unauthorized transactions. If necessary, act quickly to report any suspicious activity to your bank and the retailer.

Keep Software Current: Keep your devices’ operating systems, web browsers and security software current. Such updates are frequently accompanied by some serious security patches that address newfound vulnerabilities.

Consumers can avoid becoming cybercrime’s victim around online shopping in today’s dynamic digital world by following these cyber security best practices.