Shopping online is a convenient way for many to buy what they need, especially around the holiday time when you want to avoid the cold weather as well as the long lineups at the mall. While it has its upsides, online shopping can also be dangerous. Hackers and scammers are always taking advantage of buyers, especially online and especially during the holiday season when everyone is looking for convenience and a bargain. So it’s important, when choosing to shop online, that shoppers protect themselves.
Keep your personal and financial information safe this holiday season by implementing these tips while you browse the web for the right gift for your loved one:
1. ALWAYS USE SECURE WEBSITES
Before you decide to look through a website to make an online purchase, make sure the website you are on is both secure and legitimate. Some websites have been designed to trick shoppers by using names that are similar in name to popular stores and businesses. So take the time to double-check the URL to:
- Ensure you are using the official website of the store you want to shop from
- Confirm the website you buy from is encrypted for added protection
- The “s” in the HTTPS portion of a URL signifies a secure connection, telling a user that the information being sent is encrypted
- The HTTP alone means the connection is insecure and anyone can read the information that is being exchanged on the website
- Pay attention when the browser gives a popup saying the certificate does not match the name or other warnings
2. DON’T USE PUBLIC WI-FI TO SHOP ONLINE
Public Wi-Fi hotspots are a hacker’s best friend as they can easily steal your personal and credit card information easily and quickly. So while it may be convenient to shop online from any location, it’s important to use a secured connection that keeps your information protected. Wait to be home and if you absolutely have a need to make an online purchase, turn off Wi-Fi and use your mobile/cellular data plan to do so.
3. USE BLUETOOTH CAUTIOUSLY
Bluetooth-enabled accessories like earpieces and hands-free devices are very convenient, and cyber criminals can trick your device to pair with your phone when you are not using it to steal information. Turn off the Bluetooth setting on your phone when these devices are not in use.
4. BE CAUTIOUS WHILE CHARGING
Connecting your mobile device to any computer using a USB/charging cable that you do not have control of can give a malicious computer control of your device, locations such as charging stations at an shopping centres, airports or a shared computer should be used with caution, preferably not used at all.
5. DON’T USE DEBIT CARDS FOR ONLINE PURCHASES
While debit purchases are a popular form of purchase for online shopping, using a credit card is the best option for online shopping as it offers more security and protection. Debit cards are directly linked to your bank account which puts you at a greater risk if it were to be stolen by a hacker. A credit card on the other hand offers less liability and also allow you to seek reimbursement for fraud and incomplete orders.
6. WATCH FOR PHISHING SCAMS – ESPECIALLY EMAIL SCAMS
RULE OF THUMB: If it’s too good to be true, it probably is…
The holiday season is popular for its email scams that show up in your inbox in the form of special offers and gifts that seem like they’re too good to be true, because they usually are. It’s important not to open an email or click links that you’re not sure of. Research and find out if these emails have been tagged as suspicious by other shoppers. Even emails that seem like they have been sent by reputable vendors could be used to steal your information. Always take the time to visit the vendor’s website to see if they are truly offering the deal that you want to take advantage of.
7. UPDATE YOUR PASSWORDS FREQUENTLY
While it may seem like a frustrating task, it is important that you take the time to change your passwords frequently when you are an online shopper. Changing your passwords keeps your information safe and should be unique for every account you have. Long and unique passwords act as a deterrent for hackers as they take time to crack and not worth a hacker’s time. Better yet, use the 2FA (two factor authentication, sometime called dual factor authentication) feature of the most popular shopping sites, it ties your password with something you have like your mobile phone, so getting a hold of your password is not enough to get access to your accounts.
8. BE CAUTIOUS OF THE INFORMATION A WEBSITE MIGHT ASK YOU FOR
Before deciding to make a purchase online, take the time to find out what kind of information a website might ask you for. The information you are asked for should make sense and should be enough to ensure your purchase can be delivered to you. Look through what you are being asked to fill out and online give the information that you are required to give. Your information is valuable and should be protected.
9. ALWAYS READ THE POLICIES WHEN MAKING AN ONLINE PURCHASE
Before making an online purchase, be informed about the store’s policies so you know what steps to take if things don’t go as planned. Save the confirmation number/receipt of your purchase in case you need to file a complaint in the future.
The holidays are a magical time. Ensure yours are safe by following these simple steps to protect your identity when you shop online this holiday season.
