7 Safety And Security Tips When You Shop Online
Ever thought how a simple mistake from your side can cost you a hell lot of money especially when you shop online? Or worse still your identity being stolen and used for illegal purposes. Today I am going to share some tips on how to safely and securely shop online.
7 tips to stay safe and do secure shopping:
1. Stay Away From Phishing
Before you buy anything from a site, check if the website URL is correct. Do not click links that you receive in emails which directs you the product page immediately unless you are sure about the source.
2. Use Passwords With Numbers And Symbols:
When you register at an online store or site, try to create a password that consists of numbers, symbols and letters. Also do not use a password that exists in the dictionary or the name of any of your close ones.
3. Make a Habit to Use SSL:
According to the Wikipedia,
Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) is a cryptographic protocol that provide security for communications over networks such as the Internet.
To put it simply, when you see an SSL padlock or button near the address bar or bottom of the page, it means the page is secure and you can enter your personal information without fear. Proceed with caution if you do not see a SSL.
4. Do Not Shop Via Public Computers:
This is the most common mistake done by many. Public computers are not yours and might have keyloggers running in the background. Keyloggers record whatever you type. Hopefully now you appreciate the situation. Especially unauthorized internet centers are a strict no-no.
5. Stay Away From Adware:
There are some ads that prompt suddenly on screen telling you have one urgent mail or you have won some jackpot etc., do not ever click them and worse still, do not give away your personal information no matter what.
6. Update Softwares Frequently:
Keep updating your antivirus, Operating system and other applications that make use of the internet frequently. Hackers are always on the lookout for loopholes while the respective software devs try to patch up the loopholes.
7. Check Your Credit Frequently:
This is a very good way of keeping track of your account information especially if you have registered with a lot of online stores. Checking the statements might help you find out if any purchases were made without your knowledge. A handy tip when you are completely computer ignorant.
Well that’s about it from my desk for now. These are some of the most simple and effective ways to protect yourself from online purchase scams and other common attacks. Got a suggestion that should be up there? Let me know through your comments.
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