Smart Tips to Stay Safe Online Shopping
In today’s digital age, it’s vital to practice safe online shopping tips. Hackers and scammers use sophisticated techniques that often make it difficult to spot fraudulent retailers. Stay safe this holiday season – and year-round – by practicing these online shopping tips.
Tip #1: Learn How to Identify Secure Websites
There are three main ways to help identify a safe online shopping website.
- URLs – Never trust an email or text link or even a link on Facebook or Instagram. If you’re looking for a specific retailer, visit their website directly in your browser.
- Trusted Retailers – If you’ve never heard of a retailer, be hesitant before making a purchase. Try to make online purchases from reputable, well-known websites.
- Secure Website – Before making any online purchase, verify that the security lock is in the web address bar. Additionally, check to make sure the website contains “https://” near the padlock icon.
Tip #2: Secure Your Accounts For Safe Online Shopping
It’s important to secure your accounts and devices when shopping online or entering financial information.
- Use Secure Networks – Avoid using public Wi-Fi, if possible, and never enter personal or financial data on an unsecured network. Always use a VPN to help encrypt your connection or use a private network.
- Use Strong Passwords and Multi-Factor Authentication – Never use easy passwords on websites, as you can easily fall prey to hackers. Instead, practice using strong passwords with a mix of letters, numbers and symbols and always enable multi-factor authentication when possible. Read more about how to protect your data and devices using strong passwords.
- Update Software – Always keep your software up-to-date, as hackers are constantly finding vulnerabilities and software companies are readily providing updates to patch any security issues.
Tip #3: Protect Your Financial Data
Guarding your financial data is a priority for safe online shopping. Consider practicing these financial tips:
- Regularly Monitor Accounts – Have your credit cards and banks text and email you any charges or withdrawals so you can immediately recognize any suspicious activity.
- Avoid Debit Cards – Since debit cards link to your bank accounts, we recommend avoiding their use online and opting for a credit card instead. Credit cards also offer superior reimbursement and protection against fraudulent transactions.
- Virtual Numbers – Use Apple Pay, Venmo or PayPal if possible for online transactions, as these merchants don’t provide your actual credit card number to merchants, but use temporary or virtual card numbers.
Tip #4: Verify Vendors
Before making any purchases online, we recommend doing a quick check to make sure the retailer is legitimate and not a scam.
- Check Reviews – If you’re purchasing from a brand new store or a store that you are not familiar with, check Google reviews to see if people have had positive or negative experiences. You can do this by typing into Google “problems with” and then the name of the store.
- Return Policies – Always verify the company’s return policy, as some companies have fine print where they don’t accept returns or charge return restocking fees.
- Use Common Sense – If something seems too good to be true, chances are, it probably is! Exercise your best judgment when making purchases online, and remember to take your time and not feel rushed.
Home Telecom Offers Free Internet Security Software
Home Telecom offers current high-speed internet customers FREE internet security software so you can make sure your devices are up-to-date and secure from hackers or possible phishing attempts. Trend Micro is easy to install and provides enhanced threat protection. Don’t delay, act now and download this complimentary software in time for your holiday shopping.