Shopping online is fast, easy and open 24/7 - what's not to love? While many high street shops are closing their doors, online retailers are booming - this could be down to the multitude of bargains that can be found online.
Sadly, along with the rise in popularity of internet shopping, comes an increase in online crime. Don't fall prey to internet fraudsters and crooks, read on and find out how you can shop safely online.
Sadly, along with the rise in popularity of internet shopping, comes an increase in online crime. Don't fall prey to internet fraudsters and crooks, read on and find out how you can shop safely online.
Shopping online is fast, easy and open 24/7 - what's not to love? While many high street shops are closing their doors, online retailers are booming - this c... more
1
Trust your websites
Much the same as you wouldn't buy your groceries out the back of a white van you've never seen before, when shopping online always use a familiar website. Shopping through a search engine could lead you to a fraudulent site, so it's best to go straight to a site you've heard of before - such as eBay or Amazon.
Keep your eyes peeled for misspellings of popular shopping websites and those with different domain names - this is an old trick yet still manages to trick people who aren't paying close attention.
2
Use protection
Anti-virus and anti-malware software producers are savvier than ever about the threats posed by internet shopping and have adjusted their products accordingly. Pay a little extra for ID theft protection or at the very least download and regularly update some free software.
3
Check the lock
Look for the icon of a locked padlock in the status bar at the bottom of your web browser before you input any credit card details. Secure websites will display HTTPS:// in the address bar, rather than https://.
4
Don't tell them everything
Alarm bells should be ringing if an online store is asking for more information than usual, such as your birth date or national insurance number. This extra information combined with your credit card details could cause a serious amount of financial damage in the wrong hands - so beware.
5
Keep an eye on your accounts
Regularly going online to check your bank statement could alert you to early signs of fraudulent activity. If you see something suspicious don't ignore it, contact your bank immediately otherwise you could be liable to pay the charges.
6
Stay safe in public
Save online shopping for your home PC, as public terminals can be riddled with viruses, spyware and there's always the chance you may just forget to log out - the perfect opportunity for a crook to get hold of your details.
If you're out and about internet shopping on your laptop, make sure no one is peeking over your shoulder as you enter your credit cards details.
7
Get app happy
Apps are great tools for running price comparisons, just make sure you download the official app from Amazon, Target etc. to your phone and you can shop with the peace of mind you're not about to be ripped off.
8
Keep your Wi-Fi secure
If you're out and about using a wireless network for your internet shopping, make sure you access the web over a virtual private network (VPN) connection. Use a Wi-Fi hotspot you're familiar with too - places like Starbucks are less likely to have an unsecured wireless connection.
9
Create strong passwords
One of the simplest ways to protect yourself when banking and shopping online is to have a strong password. Make your password as arbitrary as possible and remember to use numbers.
10
Use your common sense
Finally, and this should go without saying, use a bit of common sense when shopping online. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is…
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