Cybersecurity Precautions for Online Shopping: Online shopping is easy since you can compare prices and have your products delivered directly to your door without ever leaving the comfort of your own home.
However, having a better deal online takes more than getting the lowest price. You’ll want to make sure that things arrive on time, that the quality is what you expected, and that items come with a suitable guarantee. It also means for you to return the items or should get any support with your concerns or issues you have on a particular product.
Use these tips to make your shopping experience more secure.
Online Shopping Tips You Should Know
Think first before you click
Be careful of emails, messages, or other promotions that appear “strange” or urge you to click on links right away. You shouldn’t click on the link if you receive a great deal. Instead, go directly to the company’s website to ensure the deal is legit. If you can’t find it on their website, report the fraud to your email provider as a phishing activity. Keep in mind that if something seems too good to be true, there is a high possibility that it would be.
Always use secure websites.
Checking regularly the “HTTP” at the beginning of a website’s URL is crucial. The additional “s” stands for “secure,” which means that your personal and financial information is encrypted when delivered to the business. On secure websites, the display of a lock icon shows that your data is protected. Never give credit cards or other sensitive information on unsecured websites.
Avoid special offers that seem too good to be true.
Any e-store that offers too much at too cheap a price is suspicious. If the cost is too low, examine if the merchant received the products correctly and whether you could ever get the products you paid. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a high-end brand or a low-cost alternative, if the thing works or if you can return a damaged product – or if the merchant is making extra money by selling your financial information.
Not reputable internet retailers may make an unrealistically low price offer like their brick and mortar counterparts. And then say the item is out of order to try and sell you anything else in a classic “bait and switch” fraud.
Skip the debit card transactions
It is advisable to use credit cards or payment methods such as Paypal while purchasing online. Suppose someone tries to access your account. Using your debit card places you in a much more vulnerable position since it is connected to your bank account. Credit cards provide more safety and lower responsibility if a card number is taken.
Pete Canavan, a member of our advisory committee and a cybersecurity specialist, entirely agrees. He recommends sticking to payment services and credit cards for speedy refunds if something goes wrong.
Install and update your security software
While keeping your software up to date is one of the simplest methods to protect your data, many individuals yet put it off. Software updates are made provided is designed to help in the development of website security and the prevention of new threats that are continually being discovered. Waiting for your computer (or smartphone) to update and restart may seem annoying, but the security benefits are well worth it. Do that the next time you notice an alert to update your software.
Anti-virus software can assist in the detection and removal of viruses that can steal your personal information. Make sure your mobile device’s operating system is up-to-date before making a purchase.
Shop with companies you trust
Cybercriminals frequently create fraudulent websites to get your credit card and other sensitive information. Secure its security at all costs, and use only well-known websites. If you really must shop on an unfamiliar website, look for a physical address and other facts such as the company’s contact information before making a purchase. It generally is if a deal appears to be too good to be confirmed on an unfamiliar website.
Review privacy profiles
Examine the privacy policies of the websites/merchants you are visiting. Be aware of the information the merchant will get about you, how this will be held, how it uses, and whether or not it will be sold or shared with other individuals.
Secure your transactions.
Before completing an online purchase, look for the “lock” sign in the browser’s status bar and ensure “HTTP” appears in the URL bar. The “s” stands for “secure” and indicates that the web page’s communication is encrypted. Look for a broken key sign, which indicates a non-secure connection. Some browsers can be configured to alert the user if they send non-encrypted data.
Final Thoughts
Are you getting a loved one an internet-connected device? Don’t simply assume that they’ll know how to use it safely. Teach recipients how to manage privacy and security settings, create a secure password, and disable any features they don’t need. Don’t make it difficult for your loved ones to learn. Please give them the gift of peace of mind in addition to the technology.