Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology & IEMA-OHS Highlight Ways Residents Can Stay Cyber Safe This Holiday Season

SPRINGFIELD – As Illinois residents gear up for holiday shopping, travel, and online celebrations, the Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT) and Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS) are reminding everyone to stay alert to cyber scams that often lurk at the end of the year. With more purchases, donations, and digital communication taking place online, cyber criminals take advantage of the season’s increased activity and distractions.

“Cyber criminals rely on busy schedules and split-second decisions,” said Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology Statewide Chief Information Security Officer Jason Bowen. “Taking a few extra moments to verify links, check accounts, and safeguard your information can prevent a holiday headache. Our goal is to help Illinois residents stay protected, not just in December but year round.”

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This holiday season, DoIT highlights five key steps recommended by the National Cyber Security Alliance:

• Slow down before you click: Beware of ads encouraging users to click on links, account warnings and shipping notifications. If you receive notice or an enticing offer, do not click on the link. Instead, go directly to the company's website to verify the offer is legitimate.
• Shop only with trusted retailers: Cyber thieves are fond of setting up fake e-commerce sites. Prior to making a purchase, read reviews to hear what others say about the merchant. In addition, look for a physical location and any customer service information. It's also a good idea to call the merchant to confirm that they are legitimate.
• Use safe payment methods: Using a credit card is often recommended over a debit card, as there are more consumer protections for credit cards if something goes awry.
• Protect your accounts: Be alert to the kinds of information being collected to complete your transaction. If the merchant is requesting more data than you feel comfortable sharing, cancel the transaction. You only need to fill out required fields at checkout and should never save your payment information in your profile.
• Monitor your financial and online activity: Be sure to continuously check your accounts for any unauthorized activity. Good recordkeeping goes hand-in-hand with managing your cybersecurity.

“Cyber criminals are constantly evolving their tactics, but so are we,” said Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security Deputy Director of Homeland Security Beth Windisch. “By staying vigilant and following a few simple precautions, Illinois residents can protect themselves and help strengthen our state’s cyber resilience.”

DoIT and IEMA encourage residents to stay informed about current cyber threats and leading practices. Visit https://doit.illinois.gov/initiatives/cybersecurity/best-practices.html for additional information.

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