The holiday shopping madness has only just begun and your inbox is probably flooded with Cyber Monday deals from your favorite stores. In case you were not able to attend Black Friday, you can shop online for the latest sales today. On Cyber Monday, retailers offer deals including free shipping, limited-time discounts, and free gift cards. If you ask me, Cyber Monday seems ideal for shoppers who do not want to face the crowds during the holiday season.

I do not want to bring down your spirit as you surf the web for the perfect gifts for your loved ones, but you should be aware of the risks of Cyber Monday. Security company, McAfee, lists the “12 Scams of Christmas” you should look out for. Hackers have created holiday-related Web sites, scams and other convincing e-mails that can trick any online shopper. For example, hackers will take advantage of people’s generosity during the holiday season by sending out emails that appear to be from charities. These fake sites will actually steal donations, credit card information and the identities of donors. Hackers may also try to fool you through holiday E-cards, social networking friend requests and fake invoices from delivery services.

As much as I would like to expect the best from people during the holiday season, there are sadly many cybercriminals out there trying to deceive us.  It sounds simple, but remember to be extra careful by never clicking on links, creating unique passwords when signing up for new accounts and continuing to use security software.

Be safe and happy shopping!