Be smart and safe while getting the best deals

Consumers have been waiting all year for Black Friday and the excitement it brings, but all the hype can also be overwhelming.

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While big discounts grab our attention, it is easy to overlook hidden risks and opportunities.

Francois Wirth, chief information officer at BrightRock, shared some of his essential tips to help you get the best deals while keeping your data, finances and peace of mind secure:

Avoid using public Wi-Fi when making payments

While it is tempting to connect and check prices on the go, remember public Wi-Fi is a prime playground for hackers. They can intercept data and steal personal information like credit card numbers. If you must connect, use a VPN to keep your data encrypted, or better yet, switch to mobile data for secure browsing.

Watch out for 'phantom' Black Friday sites