Understanding how to shop online safely is crucial in today’s Internet-based society, especially on a day like Cyber Monday, the Monday after Thanksgiving, which has become one of the largest online shopping days of the year.
Although shopping online on Cyber Monday is convenient and can score you great deals, it also comes with added risks, considering that hackers are anticipating a surge in online shopping activity as well. In other words, along with countless promotions and deals, you’re likely to see an increased amount of spam on Cyber Monday, and while many people are experienced online shoppers and know what safety precautions to take, others may be tricked into giving their personal information to an untrustworthy source. Use the following 10 safety tips to help reduce the risks involved with shopping on Cyber Monday:
Always use a major credit card when making purchases online. Since most major credit cards offer fraud protections, using them to shop online is safer for the buyer.- Only shop on secure websites. Every reputable online retailer now offers a secure connection. When making a purchase, look for “https://” (rather than http://) at the beginning of the URL in your address bar. This signifies a secure connection, so if you do not see it, do not input your information. There are few items that cannot be purchased from another online retailer. Do not take the risk; shop elsewhere.
- Do not click on unknown links in emails. Many phishing attempts begin when a user clicks a link in an email. Even if you recognize and trust the sender of the email, his/her account could be compromised, so it’s best to refrain from clicking enclosed links or attachments if you have any concerns. If a link appears to be pointing to a promotion, visit the vendor’s official website to locate the deal directly.
- Update your Internet browser. Whether you are using Google Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Safari, or Internet Explorer, make sure you are running the latest version of that browser. The newest versions contain the latest safeguards to protect you from adware, ransomware, spyware, malware, and phishing attempts.
- Use updated security software and check to ensure that your firewall/virus protection software is installed correctly before making a purchase online.
- Never give out your social security number. There is no legitimate reason that an online retailer would need this information, so if you encounter one asking for your social security number, you may want to consider shopping at another website.
- Watch out for scams, especially on sites like Craiglist and eBay. Never give your credit card information via email or telephone or make a wire transfer of funds. When planning to make a purchase on these types of sites, take every precaution to establish the seller’s credibility.
- Never shop on public Wi-Fi. Even if the websites you are browsing are secure and your laptop, smartphone, or other wireless communication device is running up-to-date antivirus software, other users connected to the network still may be able to access your activity, including your transactions, and obtain your personal information.
- Update your passwords frequently. It’s best to use a unique, strong password for each website. The strongest passwords are created using a mix of numbers, symbols, and letters.
- Always print and save payment confirmations. Unfortunately, miscommunication and lost information issues occur every day. If you don’t receive an item you purchased online, having a record of the transaction showing the date, time, and amount paid will help prove your side of the claim.
Taking a few precautions and exercising caution will help you protect your personal information and have a safer online shopping experience on Cyber Monday. At Eaton & Berube, the protection of your assets is important to us. For additional safety tips and useful resources, please subscribe to our blog or contact us.