The reasons to shop are unlimited. Shopping websites have turned into a worldwide marketplace accessible to one and all. Websites are consumer oriented. They are to perform suiting the preferences of the customer. Thus, we have become accustomed to this manner of shopping comfortably.
This article informs us, although shopping online is satisfying, we need to take certain measures to protect our identity in an immense world of threats, scams, and digital frauds. This guide will let you become aware of the threats online shopping can imply and the measures to take care of them.
KNOW WHERE YOU SHOP:
Shopping on familiar and popular websites like Amazon and Flipkart will ensure protective shopping. These websites can easily do the job and are reliable with personal details. There are higher chances personal details are at risk with unknown websites. You can identify an unauthentic website by the website’s design or wrong spellings in URLs.
EMPLOY STRONG PASSWORDS:
While shopping online, employ the use of strong passwords to avoid easy reveal to data thieves. Also, do not use the same password for all your shopping sites, if one password can get detected all the information stored in these websites become accessible. You can put phrases or sentences of 12 words as your password. This acts as a strong lock.
MAKE A SEPARATE EMAIL FOR SHOPPING:
The customers are advised to use a separate email address for online shopping. This will ensure separate shopping email accounts from these websites that would not interfere with the professional/personal email. The hackers cannot access your contacts, or any other important information attached to your personal email.
LOOK FOR SECURE SOCKETS LAYER (SSL):
Mostly all websites running online have a locked padlock symbol in their URLs. This is an extremely important symbol that indicates the security of a website and the user. Don’t share any sensitive details on any website devoid of this symbol in their URLs.
AVOID OPEN NETWORK:
It is risky to enter personal details on a website while using the public hotspot. Anyone can easily hack the provided information if the network doesn’t encrypt your details.
USE A LAPTOP:
It is better to shop on laptops than on mobile phones. Laptops have appropriate anti-virus software to protect against malware. Smartphones are an easy target to get malware on your device.
UPDATED BROWSERS ONLY:
Always use an updated browser. It ensures complete security. Hackers can easily hack an older website if they find a loophole.
DELETE ANYTHING SUSPICIOUS:
We all get enough shopping email. But we must stay careful about the links in these emails. Make sure these links take you to the official website and is not a hidden corrupted file.
INSTALL VPN:
If you use the public hotspot. Install and use a virtual private network (VPN) which will provide encryption to your personal details by securing the network.
SHARE ONLY WHAT’S NEEDED:
Be careful about the shared information on the internet. No popular websites ask for a driver license or security number. Nowadays, every time you make the transaction, banks employ one-time password to protect your transactions against theft. Do not share these passwords.
USE CREDIT CARDS OR OTHER RELIABLE WALLETS:
While doing business, use a credit card instead of a debit card. Debit cards can give direct access to your bank accounts whereas credit cards include heavy authorization process. You can also use wallets such as Paytm or PayPal to pay on an online shopping website. It will allow you to spare only the needed information to the website.
DO NOT BELIEVE EVERYTHING:
There are many times attractive deals come your way. There are chances they are a scam. If the information is not on the official website of the shopping website, don’t believe it. Sometimes, these deals are shared on the private e-mail address involving links to share your personal information. Also, if you buy e-cards, it is important to read all the terms and conditions.
CHECK BANK STATEMENTS:
It is important to stay cautious and keep a regular check on your bank statements for faulty transactions. Sometimes, without notice, some transactions are made twice without proof on the website. It is your responsibility to complain to the customer service and clear the confusion.
