Think twice about shopping through social media. As it turns out, social media platforms can be a "cesspool of Black Friday scams," said the Times. Instead, opt to go straight to legitimate websites, or at least do some research before hitting purchase via Instagram.

As the holiday shopping season rolls in like a tsunami wave, it can feel overwhelming to prioritize how you're going to get everything done and also handle the responsibilities of your life.

A lot of Black Friday shopping is done online, which makes it prime time for scammers and hackers to try and steal your data. They are relentless, but there are any things you can do to help keep your data safe, not only while shopping for Black Friday, but year-round.