10 ways to protect yourself on Cyber Monday, including 3 that might surprise you

Holiday shoppers are expected to set a one-day, online sales record today, forking out an estimated $3 billion on everything from electronics to organic fruit in a wild Cyber Monday buying frenzy.

This is the 10th anniversary of Cyber Monday. It is the biggest day for online holiday sales, which the National Retail Federation estimates will top $100 billion in 2015.

And why not?

Shopping online is convenient. No crowds to fight. No parking hassles. Good deals galore.

With the good, however, comes some bad. Every two seconds in America, someone has their identity stolen. That means while you’re logged on looking for good deals, savvy cybercrooks will be trying to snatch your personal or financial data.

But the scenario isn’t all doom and gloom.

A little common sense and awareness will go a long way in protecting your valuable data, said Tim Maniscalo, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Central Indiana.

“I would not discourage anyone from shopping online,” he said. “’It's a great way to shop.”

The downside, Maniscalo said, is simple.

“Like anything else, when there is a lot of money involved, there are going to be a lot of people trying to game the system,” he explained. “If you are cognizant of that and careful, you’ll be fine. Just be smart. Be aware. And if something doesn’t feel right, just don’t do it.”

Attorney General Greg Zoeller is urging Hoosiers to take a proactive approach to protecting their identities.

“We are naive if we think our information is not already exposed, ripe for theft,” Zoeller said in a statement last week kicking off a new public awareness campaign for the Freeze Identity Thieves program.

A free “credit freeze” prevents identity thieves from opening new lines of credit in your name, he said, and effectively stops them in their tracks. The “lock” does not, however, prevent you from obtaining loans or opening new accounts.

The freeze can be set up online with the three credit reporting agencies — TransUnion, Experian and Equifax — from a link at the AG’s website: www.indianaconsumer.com/idtheft

While a freeze is helpful after the fact, cyber security expert Jason Glassberg, co-founder of Seattle-based Casaba Security, said following a few simple precautions will greatly reduce your risk of getting ripped off while doing business online.

“During the holidays, people get busy and caught up in the spirit and they may let down their guard,” he explained. “Now, more than nearly any other time, it is important for folks to really keep their wits about them and concentrate on what they are doing. The people most likely to become victims are those who make it the easiest for the thieves.”

And not all of the risk associated with online shopping comes when you're at the computer. You also need to be aware of "porch pirates" waiting to snatch packages when they're dropped off at your home.

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police are warning online shoppers, according to a holiday safety announcement, that  "thieves are out there stealing packages from porches before residents return home from work."

Here are several tips from Glassberg, Maniscalo of the BBB and IMPD to help protect your money, personal data and holiday purchases:

• Use a credit card, rather than debit card, for more protection. Better yet, if you have multiple credit cards, set one aside for online use only. It makes bills easier to track and limits exposure if your data is stolen.
• Consider using one PC or electronic device for all online purchases. Making purchases and financial transactions from devices used for other purposes, including downloading games and other material from the Internet, puts you at greater risk for malware.
• Make sure the websites you use are legit. URLs starting with "https" are more likely secure. If the web address has been shortened, hover your mouse over it to see the full address. If the address looks fishy, don't proceed.
• Avoid unsolicited links offering deals. Clicking on them could infect your computer with malware. 
• Shop on a home network secured by a password. Avoid shopping on public or free wi-fi networks where data can be intercepted.
• Keep your computer's software and anti-virus programs up-to-date.
• Request a signature confirmation of home delivery. By doing this, the deliverer will have to wait until you're available or else deliver the package to an at-home neighbor.
• Insure valuable items being shipped to your home.
• If you have an understanding boss, have packages delivered to you at work.
• Track packages online to see exactly when they are en route to your house, and watch for a courier's text notification that your package has been delivered.

Tim Evans is The Star's consumer advocate. Call him at (317) 444-6204 and follow him on Twitter: @starwatchtim