Luckily, the whole online shopping experience has made life easier. But before you set out to explore the e-commerce world, ensure you’re not making yourself vulnerable to potential risk.
You don’t need to worry about being pickpocketed on the internet, but there are numerous other reasons you should protect your financial and personal data.You can also check this site for more Online Safety Tips.
Here are 5 cybersecurity tips that proven to be helpful while you shop online
These tips will help you keep your private information from reaching into the hands of cybercriminals.
1) Avoid Using Debit Card:
Experts suggest when shopping on the web avoid using debit cards. It’s best and safe to use MasterCard or payment solutions like PayPal. Since debit cards are directly linked to your bank accounts, you are more prone to getting your information hacked. Credit Cards are a lot safer and reliable than debit cards. They significantly offer more protection and has less liability to their name.
2) Shop On Reliable Sites Only:
Before you input any personal and financial data, verify if the shopping website is real and not a scam. The easiest way to test this is to closely look at the “HTTP” in the address bar. If there is no ‘s’ in ‘HTTP’ it means your data is not safe and the website is encrypted. Retail giants usually have an s in HTTP to secure transactions for their customers.
3) Always Update Your Software :
Updating your software is another simple way of securing your information that you input in different social media websites and not just a shopping site. Software updates are specifically designed to help you protect your data and fight cyber attacks that are reported so frequently. It might sound absurd, waiting for your computer to notify you about updates but the benefits are worth it. So next time you get a software update, don’t hesitate to launch it.
4) Beat Email Scams :
Holidays are a great time for hackers to send out viruses disguised as gifts and greetings. Strictly avoid opening any emails from people you don’t know or sites you’ve never visited. Another easy way scammers can access your information is by calling you and claiming to be from the bank or any financial organizations, saying there’s a problem with your account and you need to provide personal data. When you receive such calls, it is recommended to call your bank and verify if such a problem has occurred.
Also Read: Protection of Trade Secrets |
5) Simply Say No to Clicking Random Links on the Internet :
Apart from creepy email in your mailbox also avoid clicking any links on the internet that are either very promising or too good to be true. If you’re attracted to any mind-blowing shopping offer, do some research and find out if the deal is for real. Read some reviews online, or ask a friend if they have heard about it too. Generally, when you click on a random link, it takes you to another page where your activity is under scrutiny.
Bonus Tips
1) Use Stronger Passwords
There’s a reason this advice may sound boring because you hear it everywhere. However, it’s extremely important and true to protect your social media and shopping accounts with secure, strong and unique passwords. It’s not just corporate email accounts that require a strong password!
If all your social media accounts have the same password, then change them immediately. And if you want to protect yourself from all kinds of scam, then use a password generator or manager to help you come up with strong passwords and also remember them on your behalf. Long passwords that are too complicated are not worth a hacker’s time and effort.
2) Never Provide Excessive Information
Most websites or shopping websites ask you to fill in the information before completing your purchase or creating a wish list. Always provide information they have asked for and nothing more than that. Skip the fields with a complete address or phone numbers or try to keep it as minimum as possible. The more information you input, the more easily your account is susceptible to get hack. Also before you confirm take some time out to read the privacy policy, websites clearly mention how and where they will be using your personal information.
3) Try not to Go Public
Free hotspots may seem like a rescue from heaven when you’re out of data or phone coverage. When you sign in on free hotspots, the hackers are actually very excited for the next stage. This is because public networks are not secure at all, any information you enter through a public IP network can easily be determined and picked to blackmail you. Even if you do use a public network in case of emergency surgery, always make sure you log out of all your accounts and delete the cookies. You can also access public accounts freely by logging out of all your social media accounts first.
4) Be Careful While Shopping Apps
Shopping application makes shopping and everything else so advantageous, including your private information. Before downloading make sure your app, is secured by a strong source like Apple, Google Play, Android Play Store, etc. Before launching, apps usually ask access to your phone. If you find something fishy like access to your contacts or pictures simply terminate the launch. Going through the comments and reviews from real customers also help you identify if the app is secured or not.
5) Put a Lock on all Your Apps
One good thing about online shopping is that you can access it from anywhere, anytime and through any smart device. Make sure whatever device you use has a password for protection. Always put a password on your gadgets and phones and log off before leaving the screen. Do not let your mobile or computer browsers to remember your passwords as they could be easily accessed by anyone who uses it after you. Strictly close down all shopping and banking websites before shutting down your computer.
Getting ripped off from your own identity is worse than walking with a smaller shoe. This holiday season, make sure you follow these security tips to make your online shopping experience secure.