Introduction
The holiday season is the busiest time of the year for retailers and families, but unfortunately, it is also the busiest time for cybercriminals. Distracted employees and an influx of holiday emails create the perfect storm for security breaches. As we approach the end of the year, it is time to check your tech habits to see if your business is on the "Naughty" or "Nice" list.
The Naughty List: Risky Habits
Employees often let their guard down during the holidays. Common "naughty" behaviors include clicking on fake "shipping notification" links, using simple passwords like "Holiday2025," or connecting to unsecured public Wi-Fi while traveling to finish up work. These small lapses are exactly what hackers are counting on to slip a malicious payload into your network.
The Nice List: Best Practices
Getting on the "Nice" list means being proactive. It involves verifying the sender of every "gift card" email (a common phishing tactic), ensuring all devices are updated before the office closes for the break, and enabling Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) on every account.
How to Stay off the Coal List:
• Beware of "Urgent" Requests: Scammers often pose as CEOs asking for gift cards for employees—verify these requests offline.
• Secure Holiday Shopping: Ensure employees aren't using company devices for risky personal shopping on dubious websites.
• Update Your Defenses: Ensure your firewall and antivirus definitions are patched before the holiday skeleton crew takes over.
• Data Backups: Verify your backups are running successfully so you can recover if a Grinch strikes.
Conclusion
Don't let a cyberattack steal the joy of your holiday season. By enforcing a few "Nice" habits, you can ensure that your business stays secure and your team returns to a safe network in the New Year.
Jacob Rooney : Dec 17, 2025, 5:59:59 AM
Kurt Thomas : Oct 8, 2025, 6:00:00 AM
Clint Underwood