here are top cyber security tips for safe online shopping for online shopping.
However, the main question arises: Is it safe to do online shopping? Especially with so many users sharing credit card information over online shopping websites.
Here are some tips that you have to keep in mind before releasing your credit card information and clicking, ‘BUY‘ or ‘checkout’.
1. DO NOT CLICK On Suspicious Links
Malicious links are sent by scammers over internet who look more real than the original ones. As these links are specifically of the well-known sites like eBay and Flipkart, many online users fall victim.These links are created for installing malware in visitor’s pc.
The secure way of not getting tricked by these would be NOT to open these links if provided via social media sites, messages or emails from unknown sources.
2. Keep your Eye on New Vendors or websites
People tend to purchase goods and services from new vendors or websites as they generally give attractive discounts over social networking sites also.
However, one should always be safe from such vendors as sometimes the customer is trapped and exploited easily.
- Always get a double confirmation of the things that are necessary including product purpose and suitability, materials and construction, quality, and other things like speedy shipping, prompt refunds, and returns.
- Always try to start from minimum purchases and then shift to the major ones.
- Always look before you leap.
Search online for other people’s experiences online and also some sites like http://www.bbb.org and others.
3. Always Use Strong Passwords
This tip is one of the most obvious ones, but people do not intend to use it generally.
- Always try to avoid easy to crack passwords by including a combination of upper and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters in your password & put hard password not easily guessable.
- dont put simple passwords like 12345 or admin12345.
- dont have same password for multiple sites.
4. Always Use Secured Websites for shopping
Before releasing your sensitive information over online webisite, check to make sure if the website you just visited is a secure site.
Secure sites have a closed padlock in the status bar, and its URL starts with HTTPS, which means:
- Communication is encrypted
- SSL verifies authenticity
5. Avoid Using Debit Cards, Instead Use Credit Cards
Do not use debit card for online shopping.
In a case, if someone manages to intercept your financial information online, they can do less damage.
- Credit cards have spending limits but debit cards do not have.
- Credit cards should also be used with low credit limits even as other option also given by the bank as “one-time use.”
You can even make use of virtual credit cards that are specifically designed for online shopping only.
6. Important Things to Remember While Shopping
- Always keep documentation of your online purchases, mostly an email is sent to the customer confirming the order.
- It is the duty of every customer to print the document or save it somewhere safe till receiving the order.
- Moreover, it is always suggested to log off from the retailer’s website after making the purchase.
These are always considered to be the smarter options to adapt than to become a victim.
7. Do Not Provide Your Details to Every Website You Visit
Online stores provide an option for the customers to check out as a one time customer.
If you are not shopping regularly from any site, avoid filling unnecessary information, just in case, to be safe.
8.Check Your Bank Statements Regularly
Most of the banks now allow for setting up email notifications of any credit card transaction.
If you see any charges that are unusual, they have to get reported, and suitable actions should be taken that are needed to get a prompt refund.
Learn and develop your goals. 