Tips for Safe Online Shopping; 7 Things You Must Know
There are numerous reasons to shop online. There are discounts to be had. It’s difficult to choose from such a large number of options. The shopping experience is safe. The shipping is quick. With the correct e-tailers (electronic retailers), even returns are simple. Consumers have never had it easier or more convenient to shop. It’s also safer than going out in the age of COVID-19, even if you’re properly masked and gloved. But do you know tips for safe online shopping? No? So stay with us in today’s HiGift article.
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What about the bad guys, though? It happens all the time. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), the most common cybercrime in half of the 50 states in 2019 was non-payment for or non-delivery of products ordered online.
Keep calm. These figures, while disturbing, should not stop you from shopping online. All you have to do is apply common sense and follow sound counsel. Here are some general principles; follow them and you’ll be able to shop with confidence.
7 Top Tips for Safe Online Shopping
Update Your Operating System
If you’ve been ignoring your Android or Apple device’s annoying software update notification, do it right away! You are prone to viruses and other problems if you utilize out-of-date operating software. When an update is ready, make sure you don’t swipe away the notification and install it right away.
Use Familiar Websites
Begin by visiting a reputable website. When you get past the first few pages of links, search results might be engineered to lead you astray. If you’re familiar with the website, it’s less likely to be a scam. Misspellings and sites with a different top-level domain (for example,.net instead of.com) are the oldest tactics in the book. Yes, the offers on these sites may appear appealing, but that is how they get you to give up your personal information.
Use Strong Passwords
It’s critical to establish strong passwords that are unique for each website or service you use. Choose something difficult to guess, and update crucial accounts like your bank account and email address on a regular basis. It’s also crucial to protect your personal and financial information by locking your phone with a passcode, fingerprint, or facial recognition. The culprits will not be able to unlock your cellphone if it is lost or stolen.
Don’t Use Public Wi-Fi
While it may be handy and fast to log into free Wi-Fi at the airport or your local coffee shop, keep in mind that these networks are still public, making them perfect targets for cybercriminals looking to steal your credit card number or other personal information. If you must use a public Wi-Fi network, NEVER make transactions or enter into key accounts such as email or social media while connected. When you don’t have access to a secure network, we strongly advise you to use a virtual private network (VPN) or a hotspot.
Only Download Trusted Apps
Before downloading an app, conduct some research on it in the app store before installing it. Read the reviews and pay attention to the specifics and information it requests. Apps that aren’t acquired from a reputable app store may contain malware that is used to steal your personal data. It’s also a good idea to erase any apps on your phone that you don’t use anymore.
Install Anti-Virus
Antivirus protection isn’t simply for your computer. Because your phone is really a smaller computer, why wouldn’t you provide it with the same level of security? Antivirus apps for your mobile device are available from a variety of reliable organizations to protect you from malware and other risks.
Avoid Shopping in Public
Why not shop on your own laptop while you’re out? When you have to enter your credit card number, expiration date, and 3-digit code on the back into a shopping site while sitting in a public cafe, you’re giving an over-the-shoulder snooper plenty of opportunity to look at the items. Sit in the back, facing the door, and think like a mobster. Use trusted sites that have your credit card on file so you don’t have to get it out for anything more than a latte. Even better, shop online from the comfort of your own home.
Shop Safe Out There
While purchasing on a PC is preferred when possible, we understand that shopping on mobile devices is still the most popular option. Your phone is almost certainly always within reach, and who can resist the convenience of click-to-buy? So, if you’re going to make an online purchase from your phone or tablet, do so safely and securely by following our mobile security tips.