Ho-Ho-Hold Up—Is That Message Real? Bad Santas Are Sending Seasonal Scams

Send us fan mail!Happy Holidays to all our Cyber Pals!Host Selena Larson, and co-guest ho-ho-ho hosts, Tim Kromphardt & Sarah Sabotka unwrap the surprising (and sometimes clever) ways cybercriminals use seasonal themes to trick both consumers and enterprises.From fake party invites and too-good-to-be-true discounts to holiday-flavored malware and RMM delivery, the team breaks down how threat actors capitalize on increased spending, lower vigilance, and year-end business pressure. They share real examples—like “free Christmas tree” scams, fake travel itineraries, smishing campaigns, and even malware hidden behind a Christmas caroling invitation.You’ll also hear:🎁 Why holiday-themed lures work so well🎁 How scammers tailor their tactics to shifting consumer behavior 🎁 The rise of SMS scams, malvertising, and SEO-poisoned shopping searches 🎁 What enterprises should watch for as employees mix work and personal activity 🎁 Why energy drinks are (shockingly) a hot commodity in cargo theft schemes 🎁 Practical tips to stay safe—whether you’re holiday shopping or closing year-end invoicesBefore you head off for vacation, join us for a fun, insightful, and very festive breakdown of the seasonal threats that might be landing under your digital tree this year.For more information about Proofpoint, check out our website.Subscribe & Follow:Stay ahead of emerging threats, and subscribe! Happy hunting!Chapters:00:00 — Welcome & Holiday Threat Rundown02:15 — Why Seasonal Lures Work So Well05:40 — Fake Deals, Discounts & Shopping Scams09:10 — SMS Scams and the Rise of Smishing12:25 — Malvertising, SEO Poisoning & Online Shopping Risks16:50 — Travel Scams and Fake Itineraries20:05 — Enterprise Risks During the Holiday Season24:30 — RMM Delivery and Technical Threat Trends28:45 — Holiday-Themed Malware Examples33:20 — Cargo Theft & The Energy Drink Surprise36:10 — Tips to Stay Safe This Season39:00 — Final Thoughts & Sign-Off

There are no comments yet.

Please log in to write the first comment.