In this IT world we live in, most of us can't do without the convenience of
online shopping. Whether it means getting the best price on the latest phone, or the perfect pair of shoes, online shopping
gives us access to products, services, and special deals that might be
unavailable to us otherwise.
However, online shopping has its risks. The popularity and profitability of online retail has resulted in unscrupulous people looking to take advantage of unwary shoppers. Like any transaction, there are security issues to keep in mind when buying online, but with some common sense you can minimize the risk.
Follow these basic guidelines and you can shop online with confidence.
However, online shopping has its risks. The popularity and profitability of online retail has resulted in unscrupulous people looking to take advantage of unwary shoppers. Like any transaction, there are security issues to keep in mind when buying online, but with some common sense you can minimize the risk.
Follow these basic guidelines and you can shop online with confidence.
Regularly checking for updates to your browser and operating system, as well as ensuring apps are also kept up to date with the latest version. Take the time to install those free updates and security patches when they’re released. You may also want to enable your system settings so that these updates are installed automatically.
Running regular antivirus and malware scans is
recommended to help avoid compromising your personal details to tools
such as keyloggers. Fortunately, most programs
can automatically update these signatures, so be sure the automatic
updating feature is enabled in your software. In addition, viruses can swiftly change and mutate, use a program
designed to detect newly created or mutated threats even before their
signature is part of the automatic updates.
2. Keep it private (and separate)
Avoid using public Wi-Fi or public computers when shopping online. This includes cyber cafe, library or airport PCs. If you have to make a purchase when out and about, turn on hotspot data on your mobile device if you have rather than using Wi-Fi. A VPN is also a
great option for adding another layer of security.
It's worth using a separate browser that you regularly keep up to date for shopping and banking online, and another for everyday web use. Consider opening a second email account specifically for online shopping purposes to help minimize spam, and keep a track of which service is using your email address for what purpose.
No online shopping store needs your social security number or your birthday to do business. So the best thing you can to do protect yourself is to be careful about who you’re giving your payment details to. If you’re not entirely sure whether the retailer you’re visiting is reliable, do some research to verify its authenticity and security. However, if crooks get them, combined with your credit card number for purchases, they can do a lot of damage. The more they know, the easier it is to steal your identity. When possible, default to giving up the least amount of information.
3. Research your retailer
Make sure to fully check out the retailer's credentials if it's not a big name you have heard of before. A quick search of the site name should turn up results and reviews about the service, but keep an eye out for overly positive reviews on user forums that might not be legitimate.
Start at a trusted site rather than shopping with a search engine. Search results can be rigged to lead you astray, especially when you drift past the first few pages of links. If you know the site, chances are it's less likely to be a rip off. We all know Amazon.com and that it carries everything under the sun; likewise, just about every major retail outlet has an online store, from Konga to Jumia in Nigeria. Beware of misspellings or sites using a different top-level domain (.net instead of .com, for example).
Ensure that the site is using a secure connection, which is marked by https:// in the browser bar and a number of other indicators including an image of a lock. Some sites have an icon called a trust indicator or security seal that shows that the retailer is independently verified by a third party, such as an antivirus provider.
4. Use a payment method with buyer protection
Although debit cards ensure you are using your own cash to make a purchase, many do not offer the same robust buyer protection as other options if something does go wrong. A credit card, PayPal or a virtual wallet option give you more flexibility when it comes to requesting a charge-back (when a transaction is reversed and a refund is given to you as the buyer. It can either be initiated by your bank on detection of fraudulent activity, or you can initiate a charge-back depending on the situation).
Check with your bank for details. Consider using a credit card with a low credit limit specifically for your online purchases. And some banks now offer “one-time use” or “virtual” credit cards that are designed specifically for online shopping. Another option that you might consider using to add another layer of protection is a single-use credit card number. These are tied to your regular credit card but provide a unique number to be used for one transaction so your actual credit card number is not compromised. This is particularly useful if there is a breach somewhere along the chain that might reveal your credit card details. Again, check with your bank to see if this is an option.
Use a credit card instead of a debit card : Credit cards can be the safer choice for online shopping, if someone manages to intercept your financial information online, they can do less damage and you have more recourse than if you’d used a debit card. This is for two reasons:
It's worth using a separate browser that you regularly keep up to date for shopping and banking online, and another for everyday web use. Consider opening a second email account specifically for online shopping purposes to help minimize spam, and keep a track of which service is using your email address for what purpose.
No online shopping store needs your social security number or your birthday to do business. So the best thing you can to do protect yourself is to be careful about who you’re giving your payment details to. If you’re not entirely sure whether the retailer you’re visiting is reliable, do some research to verify its authenticity and security. However, if crooks get them, combined with your credit card number for purchases, they can do a lot of damage. The more they know, the easier it is to steal your identity. When possible, default to giving up the least amount of information.
3. Research your retailer
Make sure to fully check out the retailer's credentials if it's not a big name you have heard of before. A quick search of the site name should turn up results and reviews about the service, but keep an eye out for overly positive reviews on user forums that might not be legitimate.
Start at a trusted site rather than shopping with a search engine. Search results can be rigged to lead you astray, especially when you drift past the first few pages of links. If you know the site, chances are it's less likely to be a rip off. We all know Amazon.com and that it carries everything under the sun; likewise, just about every major retail outlet has an online store, from Konga to Jumia in Nigeria. Beware of misspellings or sites using a different top-level domain (.net instead of .com, for example).
Ensure that the site is using a secure connection, which is marked by https:// in the browser bar and a number of other indicators including an image of a lock. Some sites have an icon called a trust indicator or security seal that shows that the retailer is independently verified by a third party, such as an antivirus provider.
4. Use a payment method with buyer protection
Although debit cards ensure you are using your own cash to make a purchase, many do not offer the same robust buyer protection as other options if something does go wrong. A credit card, PayPal or a virtual wallet option give you more flexibility when it comes to requesting a charge-back (when a transaction is reversed and a refund is given to you as the buyer. It can either be initiated by your bank on detection of fraudulent activity, or you can initiate a charge-back depending on the situation).
Check with your bank for details. Consider using a credit card with a low credit limit specifically for your online purchases. And some banks now offer “one-time use” or “virtual” credit cards that are designed specifically for online shopping. Another option that you might consider using to add another layer of protection is a single-use credit card number. These are tied to your regular credit card but provide a unique number to be used for one transaction so your actual credit card number is not compromised. This is particularly useful if there is a breach somewhere along the chain that might reveal your credit card details. Again, check with your bank to see if this is an option.
Use a credit card instead of a debit card : Credit cards can be the safer choice for online shopping, if someone manages to intercept your financial information online, they can do less damage and you have more recourse than if you’d used a debit card. This is for two reasons:
- Credit cards have spending limits, while debit cards (which are directly linked to your bank account) do not.
- You can dispute fraudulent charges made to a credit card without being out-of-pocket the amount in dispute, but money withdrawn directly from your checking account by a debit card is much more difficult to recover.
One of the most critical security steps is the one we give the
least attention to which is our passwords. Passwords can be the best security
defenses we have, but if they’re not created properly, a hacker can
easily guess them. For any online shopping accounts you have, be sure to
create good passwords.
Also, get into the habit of using
strong, unique passwords for each online store you buy from. If you
haven't changed your password for an existing account in some time, do
it now. Password managers are a great tool if you have trouble generating and remembering unique passwords.
6. Compare total cost
Take into account shipping, sales tax and any other taxes or charges
that might apply, especially when importing goods from overseas.
Product doesn't suit you specification or you need to get a refund? Check the retailer's
policies before making the purchase to work out if you need to cover
return costs and any extra fees or charges you need to pay.
It's also worth shopping around to find the best deal on the same
product. Don't just assume your favourite online retailer is always
going to have the best price, as you might be able to find a better deal
elsewhere.
7. Check Statements
Don't wait for your bill to
come at the end of the month. Go online regularly during the holiday
season and look at electronic statements for your credit card, debit
card, and checking accounts. Make sure you don't see any fraudulent
charges, even originating from sites like PayPal. (After all, there's
more than one way to get to your money.)
If you see a charge
that looks out of the ordinary, report it to your credit card company or
financial institution immediately.
8. Document data
It’s always a good idea to keep documentation of your online
purchases. Most retailers will send you an email or refer you to a web
page with a confirmation of your purchase; this page should include a
purchase receipt and a confirmation number. Print or save the
confirmation and keep it until you receive your product.
9. Shopping on your smartphone or tablet
Apart
from the tips outlined above, there are a few things to be aware of when
shopping on a mobile device. Set a password, pattern or PIN lock on
your smartphone, and adjust the settings so the screen locks
automatically after a set period of inactivity.
The vendor's
own app might be a convenient way to make a purchase, but find out if it
is using a secure connection to transmit your personal information and
transaction details. If unsure, it's best to use the website through a
mobile browser.
Turn off Bluetooth if you are not using it, and check what
permissions applications are asking for before you install them. Also,
jailbreaking or rooting your device may open up more features but it can
leave it more open to threats.
Finally, if you lose your
device and it has personal information on it such as credit card info,
or you left it logged in to an account which has access to your credit
card or bank details, make sure you can remotely wipe and disable your
device. For iOS, enable Find My iPhone from the settings. Android users can use Google's Android Device Manager to remotely lock and erase the handset or tablet. Windows Phone owners can use the Find My Phone feature on windows phone.com to erase the handset if lost and Blackberry user can use Blackberry Protect.
10. If it looks too good to be true then re-check
The old-fashioned shopper’s rule of thumb “buyer beware” still
applies to online purchases. If you’re being offered a top-of-the-line
item for an unbelievably rock-bottom price, it may really be too good to
be true. Do additional research about the vendor before buying. At very
least, check for a phone number and street or mailing address so that
if there are any problems with your order, you have someone to contact.
Finally,
Don't
send your credit card details via email, or post them on social media
(even in a private message), or enter them on an unsecured website.
Don't
give away more information than you need. Retailers generally don't
need to know details like your date of birth or social security number,
so why disclose it if you don't have to?
Check for a physical address and contact details like phone numbers for the vendor before buying.
Remember to log out of your account after making a purchase
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