Top 5 ways to stay safe online — and avoid the holiday horror stories
In the lead up to the Christmas holiday period, it’s easy to let your guard down online
2 min
We’re all aware of the dangers of cyber hacking and identity theft and most of us will take care when connecting online not to give away too much information. But at this time of year, when online shopping hits its peak and families head off on holiday, it’s easy to let your guard down. Here, the experts share their top tips for staying safe online when you’re out of the office and going on holiday.
Keep your OOO simple
Senior Information Security Consultant in Westpac Group’s Cyber Culture team Sally Youden says online security starts before you leave your desk.
“While switching on your out of office message is an easy task, you might want to reduce the amount of information you provide,” she says. “It could be used for malicious purposes by cybercriminals looking for opportunities to find a ‘way in’ to an organisation.”
While it’s important to communicate clearly, she said you should avoid adding too much detail like mobile numbers and job titles for external OOO messages.
Secure your spend
Shopping online over the Christmas and January sales periods is a convenient method for purchasing from the comfort of your living room, but it can expose you to data breaches and identity theft. Experts at the University of Queensland advise sticking with a service like PayPal for payment, or even setting up a separate credit card with a low limit specifically for online purchases. Saving details like passwords to online accounts will also expose your bank accounts to theft. Instead, set up multi-factor identification to minimise risk.
Parcel scams
Most of us are aware of the parcel scams where hackers send a SMS advising a parcel is being delivered to your address. However, at this time of year when there are so many deliveries happening, it can be hard to discern the real from the fake, especially when they are impersonating services such as Australia Post. Ms Youden’s best advice is to pause and think before you click on a link. If you’re not sure whether it’s your parcel, reach out to the delivery service independently to confirm the details.
Pop-up precautions
Pop-up ads and social media offers can be tempting but cyber security experts at NAB suggest it’s better to avoid clicking on them. If you find the temptation too much, consider installing a pop-up blocker.
“Those bright and shiny ads that pop up on your screen when shopping online or using social media are clever and persistent marketing tactics looking to promote products or services,” NAB advises. “They can also be used to deliver malicious software, direct you to dodgy webpages, or fake sales.”
Instead, if you see an attractive offer, go to their website independently and check reviews before handing over your details.
Frequent flyers
It’s the easiest thing to do when you’re waiting for your flight, but recharging at the airport can be a risky business. Known as ‘juice jacking’, public charging stations such as those at airports and hotels can be hacked by cybercriminals, Ms Youden says. NAB experts advise that the same goes for public wifi services.
“If you have to use public Wi-Fi, consider using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to create a secure connection. Avoid using free Wi-Fi to do any online banking or shopping, as this information may be exposed and misused.”
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The pandemic-fuelled love affair with casual footwear is fading, with Bank of America warning the downturn shows no sign of easing.
The pandemic-fuelled love affair with casual footwear is fading, with Bank of America warning the downturn shows no sign of easing.
2 minThe boom in casual footware ushered in by the pandemic has ended, a potential problem for companies such as Adidas that benefited from the shift to less formal clothing, Bank of America says.
The casual footwear business has been on the ropes since mid-2023 as people began returning to office.
Analyst Thierry Cota wrote that while most downcycles have lasted one to two years over the past two decades or so, the current one is different.
It “shows no sign of abating” and there is “no turning point in sight,” he said.
Adidas and Nike alone account for almost 60% of revenue in the casual footwear industry, Cota estimated, so the sector’s slower growth could be especially painful for them as opposed to brands that have a stronger performance-shoe segment. Adidas may just have it worse than Nike.
Cota downgraded Adidas stock to Underperform from Buy on Tuesday and slashed his target for the stock price to €160 (about $187) from €213. He doesn’t have a rating for Nike stock.
Shares of Adidas listed on the German stock exchange fell 4.5% Tuesday to €162.25. Nike stock was down 1.2%.
Adidas didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Cota sees trouble for Adidas both in the short and long term.
Adidas’ lifestyle segment, which includes the Gazelles and Sambas brands, has been one of the company’s fastest-growing business, but there are signs growth is waning.
Lifestyle sales increased at a 10% annual pace in Adidas’ third quarter, down from 13% in the second quarter.
The analyst now predicts Adidas’ organic sales will grow by a 5% annual rate starting in 2027, down from his prior forecast of 7.5%.
The slower revenue growth will likewise weigh on profitability, Cota said, predicting that margins on earnings before interest and taxes will decline back toward the company’s long-term average after several quarters of outperforming. That could result in a cut to earnings per share.
Adidas stock had a rough 2025. Shares shed 33% in the past 12 months, weighed down by investor concerns over how tariffs, slowing demand, and increased competition would affect revenue growth.
Nike stock fell 9% throughout the period, reflecting both the company’s struggles with demand and optimism over a turnaround plan CEO Elliott Hill rolled out in late 2024.
Investors’ confidence has faded following Nike’s December earnings report, which suggested that a sustained recovery is still several quarters away. Just how many remains anyone’s guess.
But if Adidas’ challenges continue, as Cota believes they will, it could open up some space for Nike to claw back any market share it lost to its rival.
Investors should keep in mind, however, that the field has grown increasingly crowded in the past five years. Upstarts such as On Holding and Hoka also present a formidable challenge to the sector’s legacy brands.
Shares of On and Deckers Outdoor , Hoka’s parent company, fell 11% and 48%, respectively, in 2025, but analysts are upbeat about both companies’ fundamentals as the new year begins.
The battle of the sneakers is just getting started.
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