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Reporter: Justin Schecker

TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) -  With more and more shoppers planning to take advantage of deals online, here are some tips to make sure a cyber Grinch doesn't spoil your holiday season. Analysts predict consumers will spend $1.5 billion on Cyber Monday.

The technology security company McAfee has put together a list of possible scams you should be aware of as you search the web today and throughout the holiday shopping season.

Be careful of social media scams, such as when liking Facebook pages or checking out deals that are advertised on your news feed. When on Twitter, watch out when clicking on shortened links because some could easily be malicious.       

If you plan to shop on your smart phones, be careful when downloading applications. Some apps are designed to steal your personal information and others have the ability to hack into your phone and send out expensive text messages. 

And make sure your smart phone is password protected even when the phone is out of your hands. 

You also need to watch out what emails might pop up in your inbox. Some may feature deals that are just too good to be true. While they may advertise the perfect gift, they may be the perfect trap to infect your email or computer with a virus.       

When shopping online, confirm a website is secure before entering your personal information. Look for a "s" after "HTTP" in the URL. 

Paying with a credit card will also offer more protections than paying with a debit card. 

After you make a purchase, check your bank statements regularly to make sure the only charges there are the ones you've actually made. You should also keep record of order confirmations and receipts with a designated folder in your inbox or with an application like "Slice." 

If you plan to shop outside the comforts of your home, only use secure internet connections and not public WiFi.