Check Point Advises Online Holiday Shoppers to Beware of Risks on Busiest Online Shopping Day of the
Developers of the award-winning ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite share insider tips for safe online shopping during the holiday rush
[UKPRwire, Thu Nov 22 2007] “Don’t put hackers on your gift list” is the advice from developers at Check Point® Software Technologies (Nasdaq: CHKP), the worldwide leader in securing the Internet. In preparation for the advent of the online shopping world’s “Cyber Monday” on November 26th, Check Point is arming consumers against online threats.
The multi-billion seasonal shopping extravaganza officially starts the day after the American Thanksgiving holiday (the fourth Thursday of November) with an orgy of spending. But the Monday after Thanksgiving — when most people have gone back to work — is turning into a second shopping bonanza. Back from the holiday weekend, an increasing number of shoppers now use what’s become known as Cyber Monday for Christmas shopping, with e-commerce transactions nearly tripling.
Cyber Monday is marked by major discounts and promotions from online retailers aimed at driving Web traffic and boosting sales. For many consumers this time of the year can offer up a golden opportunity for some great online deals. However, it’s important for consumers to also be aware of the plethora of Internet shopping scams, hacker attacks, fraudulent emails, and phishing schemes that often run rampant as well.
“Internet holiday attacks get more advanced each year, but many people are still relying on outdated or nonexistent security solutions, which put their computers and identities at risk,” said Laura Yecies, vice president and general manager of Check Point’s ZoneAlarm consumer division. “To stay safe online this holiday season consumers need to educate themselves on the latest types of threats, and make sure they are running up-to-date and comprehensive security software on their PCs.”
Nearly nine in ten consumers regularly or occasionally research products on the Internet before buying in a store. Yet according to a Check Point-commissioned survey by Harris Interactive, more than half of adults who use the Internet had neglected to install a software firewall and fewer than one quarter of adults had installed a security software suite to protect against spyware and viruses. Additionally, the survey results concluded that when making purchases online, 97 percent of online shoppers use their credit card to complete transactions; however, 44 percent do not consistently verify security symbols when making purchases.
Check Point’s security experts offer the following tips to help consumers stay safe while shopping online:
-- Fight holiday fraudsters, hackers and identity thieves by securing your PC. A good firewall, antivirus, anti-spyware, spam and browser protection are all critical. But, keeping up with security updates is even more important.
-- Beware of online phishing scams. Do not give out personal or financial information in response to unsolicited email, nor click links in any email when conducting financial transactions.
-- Beware that the mere act of gift browsing in online music, gaming and other sites can deliver your personal information into the hands of marketers and scammers. Protect your privacy and your identity with this season’s latest computer protection: browser security.
-- Make holiday donations directly to charities and nor from links received in emails. Check your bank statements regularly and investigate any suspicious charges.
-- Only buy gifts from online retailers that disclose full, verifiable contact information. In addition, look for the little yellow lock at the bottom right corner of the browser window—that indicates a secure site.
With the number of e-commerce transactions expected to nearly triple during the holidays, Check Point developers aim to reduce the risks associated with shopping and transmitting personal information online. Check Point’s Internet security solutions are bringing unprecedented online safety and security to consumers’ PCs and browsers.
ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 7.0 integrates a new comprehensive identity theft solution as well as a powerful anti-fraud tool called Spy Site Blocking. The ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite also includes proactive antivirus and anti-spyware protection, privacy features, and parental controls. Separately, ZoneAlarm ForceField, currently available as a free, public beta, offers the first virtualized, on-demand browser security solution to enable consumers to shop online and surf the Internet with impunity. Since its beta launch in September 2007, more than 70,000 downloads of ForceField have ensued.
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