19 Nov Tips for Safer Online Shopping
Before you hit check out in your cart this holiday season, you might want to take a second. Do not let Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals and distractions cloud your judgment. It is always important to pay attention to signs that your online shopping transactions are secure. The holiday season is a profitable time for online retailers, and cybercriminals see this as an opportunity to profit. Check out these tips for safer online shopping so your wallet is protected this holiday season.
- Ensure Your Browser is Up-to-Date
It is important to always update to the most current version of your browser. By doing this, the vulnerabilities that may have been found in previous versions are likely to have been identified and patched.
- Look for HTTPS
Before entering a credit card number or confidential information, make sure that the address bar’s URL begins with HTTPS and not HTTP. These are indicators that your session is secure and the site is using encryption to protect your data.
This protocol is known as SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encryption, and it helps protect online transactions by keeping data in transit confidential through encryption. In other words, your information is encoded and not visible to hackers.
- Research the Privacy Policy
Make sure you completely understand the company’s privacy policy and how your data will be used. Know what kind of information is being collected, how this data will be used, and who will access it. Some websites may give you a choice to opt-out of sharing information.
- Cybersecurity Education
Phishing emails are at their highest during the holiday season. Be careful when it comes to clicking links that could direct you to a fake website built to capture personal information.
- Use Strong Passwords
Always use strong passwords and update them regularly. Never use the same password for multiple accounts. This is especially important for accounts that contain your personal information.
- Stay Away from Public Wi-Fi
Public Wi-Fi connections are often unencrypted and unsecured, leaving you vulnerable to an attack. This occurs when a cybercriminal exploits a security flaw in the Wi-Fi network to access and intercept your private information.
- Go with Your Gut
If you are still unsure about the credibility of a website, research it.
By using these tips, you should have a safer holiday online shopping experience.