5 Tips to shopping safely online
Online shopping websites have grown in popularity and brought about an increase in the activities of cybercriminals that are targeting ignorant consumers. One must take a few precautions to get the best out of online shopping activities to avoid falling prey to criminals and internet scams. Here are four useful online shopping tips to help utilise the internet in a safe manner:
- Insert URLs directly into the address bar
It is safer to type the retailer’s URL into the address bar on your web browser, rather than clicking a link that takes you to the retailer’s website. It may require a bit more effort, but this simple action can help to prevent you visiting a fake or malicious website.
- A dedicated email address for online purchases
Create an email address that you use explicitly for online shopping. This helps reduce the risk of opening potentially malicious emails or spam messages disguised as sales promotions.
- Manage and protect online passwords
Password managers are great tools to help deal with multiple accounts and passwords, as well as encrypting certain passwords.
- Beware of public wi-fi
There are many security risks involved when accessing the internet via a public wi-fi network. Cybercriminals intercept data and capture passwords, login details and financial information. Refrain from utilising public wi-fi networks when completing tasks that involve confidential credentials.
- Carefully monitor your credit card statements
Every time you receive a credit card statement check it thoroughly for the transactions that you have completed, especially the online shopping ones. Most banks tend to limit disputes for credit card transactions to 30 days after the transaction took place and if you don’t log a dispute for a fraudulent transaction in time you will likely not get refunded by the bank for the amount.
Online shopping has become one of the most preferred means of purchasing products, due to its ease-of use and overall convenience. Above all of these practical tips, make sure to always trust your instincts. Just like you wouldn’t enter a shop that seems “odd” to you, do not continue shopping on a site that appears to be illegitimate.
