Online Threat Alerts (OTA)
An anti-cybercrime community alerting the public.

Key Tips for Staying Safe When Shopping Online

Huge numbers of people these days do some level of shopping online. Some make occasional online purchases, but others use the internet to purchase everything from their weekly groceries to the latest fashions, gadgets, and entertainment. There is no doubt that internet technology has opened up a whole new world when it comes to shopping, but you have to be sure that you are safe while shopping online.

Advertisements

In the past, many people were concerned about making purchases online because they believed that the risk of security breaches was too high. Of course, as with anything that is done online, there is a risk of security issues. However, technological advancements have reduced the risk dramatically, and people can now shop online far more safely and confidently. You can also further boost your protection and stay safe online by following some simple tips.

Some Tips to Follow

We do all sorts of things online these days. We socialize and enjoy entertainment, find criminal records, run background checks, look up information, and more. Many of us also go online to shop on a regular basis, and this is something that saves us a lot of time, hassle, and inconvenience. As long as you are cautious and take sensible steps when shopping online, you can enjoy security and peace of mind.

One thing you have to be very mindful of is shared computers. If you access shopping accounts such as Amazon and eBay online, it can be tempting to just save your details and password to save you time in the future. However, if you use a shared computer, this then provides easy access to other people who also use the same system. So, you need to ensure you do not save passwords and account details on a shared computer, as this could put your privacy and security at risk.

Another thing to be wary of is phishing emails that ask you to log into your online shopping accounts via a link sent in an email. Phishing scams have become extremely common over recent years, and the link that comes within the email often takes you to a fake site. Once you go onto the site, cybercriminals can access the data you enter, which could include personal data and financial information. So, you should always use your web browser to access any of your shopping accounts and sites, rather than clicking on a link within an email.

One other thing you should do is to make sure you are using a reputable and secure site to make purchases. If you are planning to shop from a site you have never used before, make sure you do your checks and determine whether it is secure and encrypted. In addition, it is worth looking at the reviews of the site online to see whether other people have experienced any issues.

All these steps can help to make it safer and simple to shop online and benefit from peace of mind as well as convenience.

Check the comment section for additional information, or share what you know or ask a question about this article, by clicking the 'View or Write Comment' button below.

Note: Some of the information in samples on this website may have been impersonated or spoofed.

Share this article with others.
Advertisements
Write / View Comments (0)
View on Online Threat Alerts (OTA)
Help Maintain Online Threat Alerts (OTA)