When you think about shopping online, the first thing that comes to mind is safety, right? After all, what happens when you go to purchase something online and the website stops working as expected? Or worse, what if someone hacks your credit card information and steals your funds?
Even if you’re using a reputable website to make your purchase, there are always risks involved. Thanks to the wide variety of scammers and hackers out there, as well as the need for updated cybersecurity measures, it’s always a good idea to be a little paranoid when browsing online.
Fortunately, there are ways for you to feel confident knowing your personal information is safe while shopping online. Here are some handy tips to keep you protected:
Use A VPN
You’ve probably heard of virtual private networks (VPNs) before. They are a type of service that allows you to access the website you need from any location, as long as you are connected to the internet. The best part about VPNs is their privacy policy; they are strictly adhered to, and most importantly, they don’t keep any logs of your activity. Because of this, you can be sure that your personal information remains private, even if you connect from a public place.
You may also want to take this opportunity to create a new username and password for your account. Doing this will not only make you feel safer making online purchases but will also help you remember what those login details are. You can also take this opportunity to change your payment details if necessary.
Look Out For Scam Email
One of the biggest risks you take when shopping online is giving out your personal information to someone over the internet. Unfortunately, scammers often go through email to collect such information, so you need to be on the lookout for these emails. Scammers will often send threatening emails to convince you to take action, such as giving out your bank details or taking part in a survey. These emails are often untrustworthy, so it’s best to avoid opening them.
Use HTTPS
Nowadays, whenever you make a purchase from a reputable website, a lock symbol will usually appear in the top left-hand corner of your browser. This is thanks to HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure), which is simply a more secure version of HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol). Whenever you see this symbol, you know that you are in good hands, as the site is using a more secure version of HTTP.
However, it’s often difficult to tell whether or not a site is legitimate just by looking at the certificate. Sometimes, even seemingly reputable websites will be insecure. To avoid being tricked, always check the address bar of your browser to make sure that the site is actually what you think it is. Alternatively, use Google Chrome’s security checklist to verify that the site is protected by a valid certificate from a trusted company.
Look For Security Certificates
When shopping online, it is crucial that you pay close attention to the security certificates on the site you are visiting. A security certificate ensures that the site is legitimate and trustworthy, as it has been vetted by a 3rd party certification company. If the site doesn’t have one, it probably isn’t legitimate, especially if it is asking you to provide personal information. It is a good idea to look for a reputable Security Certificate provider, such as Norton or Symantec, to get a sense of security before making a purchase.
Be Selective Of Which Websites You Visit
One of the biggest risks you take when shopping online is by visiting untrustworthy websites. Even if you are using a VPN, it is still possible to be tricked. To avoid exposing yourself to such risks, it is important that you only visit websites that you know are legitimate. Even if you have a good feeling about a particular site, it doesn’t mean that it is totally without risks. You should therefore be selective of which websites you visit and work hard to avoid falling victim to cybercriminals.
To help you identify trustworthy websites, you can use Google’s security checklist or websites such as https://www.bbb.org/ to check for potential red flags. Remember, however, that even seemingly trustworthy websites may be unsafe. Always use your best judgement when deciding whether or not to visit a particular website.
Keeping your information secure while online shopping is a lot easier than you think it is. With just a few simple tips, you can be sure that your personal information is safe while you shop online. By following these tips, you can also ensure that you are visiting legitimate websites and are not being tricked by scammers. With a bit of luck, you can enjoy all the perks of online shopping without any risks.