Most of us will be making online purchases this holiday season, but doing so can leave us open to fraud.
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has some advice for anyone going online to make purchases.
First, check your devices. Make sure all the software is up-to-date -- not only on your phone and computer, but also on appliances, electronics and toys. Does each on your online accounts have a strong, unique password? If two-factor authentication is available, use it.
Second, only shop through trusted sources. There are lots of fake websites out there that look like the real thing. Refrain from clicking on links from e-mails -- they can be from malicious sources -- as well as ads on webpages.
Also, use only safe methods to pay. Before providing your credit card number, check the website's privacy policy. Use a credit card rather than a debit card, check your statements for any fraudulent charges and don't provide personal information a business requests in an e-mail.
For the full list of CISA safety tips,
click here.