· A survey indicates that 80% of shoppers are anticipated to make purchases online this year.

· While 85% of consumers begin utilizing connected devices within a day of obtaining them, a mere 45% report taking the appropriate security precautions.

· Despite acknowledging the significance of device security, nearly half of consumers (46%) are unsure if they are implementing adequate protective measures.

Intel Security has released its second yearly McAfee Most Hackable Holiday Gifts list, aiming to spotlight potential security vulnerabilities linked to popular gift items this holiday season. Topping the list as the most susceptible category was laptops and PCs, followed by smartphones and tablets, media players and streaming sticks, smart home automation devices and apps, and finally, drones.

A recent distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack, which disrupted websites such as Twitter, Reddit, and Spotify, was executed through a botnet composed of unsecured webcams and other Internet of Things (IoT) devices. This attack significantly impacted numerous popular websites linked to the Dyn domain. Consumers can contribute to preventing such attacks by ensuring their devices are updated with the latest security patches. Intel Security emphasizes the importance of consumer awareness regarding the risks associated with even seemingly harmless devices.

“As expected, connected devices remain highly sought-after holiday gifts this year. However, it’s concerning that consumers remain uninformed about what behaviors could jeopardize security when using new devices,” stated Gary Davis, Chief Consumer Security Evangelist at Intel Security. “Often, consumers are eager to immediately start using their new gadgets, neglecting to ensure the device is adequately secured. This lack of caution can be exploited by cybercriminals as an entry point to collect personal data, potentially leading to malware infections, identity theft, or even the utilization of unsecured devices to launch DDoS attacks like the recent Dyn incident.”

In conjunction with the list, Intel Security carried out a survey to identify risky behaviors exhibited by consumers during the holiday season. While a majority of consumers recognize vulnerabilities in older connected devices like laptops (73%), mobile phones (70%), and tablets (69%), there is a lack of awareness regarding potential risks associated with newer connected devices, such as drones (20%), children’s toys (21%), virtual reality technology (18%), and pet-related gadgets (11%).

This year’s most susceptible holiday gifts are:

1. Laptops and PCs - Malicious applications designed to target PCs are widespread, affecting not only Windows-based devices.

2. Smartphones and Tablets - Survey findings revealed that 64% of consumers are planning to buy either a smartphone or tablet this holiday season. Similar to PCs and laptops, malware infections on these devices could result in the theft of personal and financial data.

3. Media Players and Streaming Sticks - By neglecting to update these devices, users might unknowingly provide cybercriminals with access to their home networks.

4. Smart Home Automation Devices and Apps - Contemporary connected home devices and apps grant users the ability to manage their homes remotely using smartphones. However, hackers have showcased methods that could potentially compromise Bluetooth-enabled door locks and other home automation devices.

5. Drones - It is projected that drone sales will exceed US$20 billion by 2022. These devices provide unique viewpoints for capturing video and photographs. However, inadequate security measures could allow hackers to interfere with GPS signals or hijack the drone via its smartphone application.

Although 75% of consumers believe in the crucial importance of securing their online identities and connected devices, almost half are unsure if they are taking the appropriate security steps. To ensure a joyful and secure holiday season, Intel Security advises the following:

· Secure your device - Ensure that you have comprehensive security software installed.

· Utilize only secure Wi-Fi networks - Operating devices like smart home appliances on public Wi-Fi networks could expose users to risks.

· Maintain up-to-date software - Promptly install patches provided by manufacturers to protect devices against the latest known threats.

· Employ strong passwords or PINs - When available, utilize multifactor authentication (MFA), incorporating additional factors such as a trusted device, facial recognition, or fingerprint scanning, to bolster login security.

· Exercise caution before clicking links - Be wary of links from unknown senders and rely on internet security software for consistent protection. Hover over links to reveal the full URL of the destination in the lower corner of the browser.