Precaution To Be Taken For Online Shopping

Precaution to be taken for
online shopping
1. Trust your gut
Just like you wouldn't go into a store at the mall that you
don't recognize and seems a little off to you, don't shop at
stores online that give you a bad feeling and appear
shady. If at any time during the shopping or checkout
process you feel like the site is asking for too much
personal information, just quit the transaction and leave
the site. You may hate to leave behind a really good deal,
but the money and time you could lose if someone gets
your credit card information will definitely cancel out the
benefits of a sale price. If the site looks like it was
designed in the '90s, has a weird address, or fills your
screen with pop-ups, just forget about it.
2. Be extra careful if you're on a mobile device
Smartphones can basically do everything a computer can

do nowadays, but that doesn't mean they are as
protected against threats as your desktop. Most phones
aren't equipped with the anti-virus software that you have
on your computer, so it's easier for criminals to get
malware on your mobile device that could help them steal
information you enter. The shortened URLs that are often
used because they're more phone-friendly can also trick
you into visiting a risky site since it's harder to tell
whether it's secure or trusted. There's also the risk of
your phone being stolen, so make sure it's password
protected so any information you may have stored on it
isn't easily accessed.
3. Don't use public Wi-Fi to shop
Anytime you enter personal information using a public

network, you're setting yourself up for identity theft. Most
Wi-Fi hotspots don't encrypt your data, so any hacker at
your neighbourhood Starbucks or wherever you're
sharing Wi-Fi can basically just pluck your identity out of
the air if he has the right software. This applies to cell
phones, too, since you're often using nearby Wi-Fi. Be
aware when you're using a hotspot that any information
you send through the Internet could be picked up by
strangers; if it's information that could make you
vulnerable, wait until you get home to your protected
network. It may be less convenient, but it's much safer.
4. Check your credit card statement frequently
Using a credit card is really the only smart way to shop

online. If you buy something from a scam site using a
debit card, check, or cash, there's no way to get your
money back. If you use a credit card, the card companies
have to reimburse you for fraudulent charges under the
Fair Credit Billing Act. But they can't always catch
purchases you didn't make or receive, so it's up to you to
keep an eye on your statements. If you see something
fishy on your statement, just contact your credit card
company to dispute the charge and possibly get a new
card so the charges won't continue.
5. Use a virtual credit card number
If you just have to have something on a site you're

unfamiliar with, there's a neat little thing called a virtual
credit card number that allows you to shop online without
exposing your real account number. Several banks offer
these kind of temporary credit card numbers that allow
you to set the amount and time frame for a purchase and
then send you a card number to use online. You minimize
the damage since the number will expire relatively quickly
and has a lower maximum spending amount and your
real credit card number is still secret. At the very least,
limit your online spending to one traditional credit card so
the damage and hassle is contained to one credit card
company if you do get hacked.
6. Change your passwords regularly
We know, we know. It's a pain to go through and change

the passwords on all your online accounts, not to mention
the trouble it'll take to try to remember them all. But if you
really want to keep your information (and bank account)
safe while you're shopping via the Internet, it's essential
to mix up your account passwords every three to six
months. This puts the kibosh on any hackers who have
managed to break into your account. You should also
make sure that you don't have the same password across
all your accounts, since that makes them all vulnerable if
one is hacked.
7. Look for HTTPS in the URL rather than HTTP
The Internet has a thousand different acronyms and it's

impossible for those who aren't tech savvy to keep track
of them all. One you really need to know if you're going to
make online purchases, though, is HTTPS. The added
"S" means that the way your information is being sent is
secure. HTTPS using SSL, or Secure Sockets Layer,
which encrypts the information flying through the wires so
that only the intended recipient can see it. If you're
considering buying from a site whose URL starts with
HTTP, be careful with the information you share. Other
signs of a secure site are a closed lock or unbroken key
at the bottom of the screen.
8. Don't click on links in emails
Instead, type out the address in your browser to make

sure you're going to the site you think you're visiting.
Many phishing scams involve emails from what seem like
legitimate sites — banks, online stores, anything you
might trust — and then send you to a phony site where
they can gather your information to steal your identity. If
you get an email from a site where you've shopped
before, make sure you don't follow the links and don't
provide any financial or personal information the email
requests. Real sites won't ask for important information
over email. If you have any doubts about an email's
authenticity, go to the company's website and get in
contact with them.
9. Check the company's privacy policy
Reading the privacy policy is the only way to know for

sure what a company does with users' information and
how it is transmitted. Most of us have a tendency to gloss
over this information, especially if it's lumped with the
terms of service that we all say we've read and agreed to,
but it's important if you want to make sure your personal
data can't be sold to any third parties and that it is
encrypted and secure. You've got to know the privacy
policy, because like G.I. Joe said, knowing is half the
battle.
10. Update your browser

Each new version of your Internet browser, especially if
you use one of the more popular browsers, gets a boost
in security. Older browsers, besides not working as well
with some websites, often have holes in their security that
hackers have discovered and can exploit. The same goes
for your operating system and anti-virus software.
Updates will keep you ahead of would-be identity thieves
and keep your credit safe

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Precaution to be taken for

1. Trust your gut

2. Be extra careful if you're on a mobile device

Smartphones can basically do everything a computer can

3. Don't use public Wi-Fi to shop

Anytime you enter personal information using a public

4. Check your credit card statement frequently

Using a credit card is really the only smart way to shop

If you just have to have something on a site you're

6. Change your passwords regularly

We know, we know. It's a pain to go through and change

7. Look for HTTPS in the URL rather than HTTP

The Internet has a thousand different acronyms and it's

8. Don't click on links in emails

Instead, type out the address in your browser to make

9. Check the company's privacy policy

Reading the privacy policy is the only way to know for

10. Update your browser

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