Online Shopping Safety Tips You Need to Know!

Shopping online has become the norm. It is now easier than ever to find clothing, shoes, or anything else you need at the click of a button. However, not everything that shines is gold.

With cybercriminals on the prowl for any unsuspecting victim, it can be difficult to feel safe while shopping online. Like most things in life, you can take precautions to protect yourself from scams and frauds. We have gathered a checklist of some practical suggestions to keep your personal information secure while shopping online. 

Online Shopping Safety Tips

Online shopping is convenient, so many people do it without weighing the risks. The online market is a hotbed for scammers and thieves, so it's important to take precautions to protect yourself from identity theft and credit card fraud. Here are some tips on how you can increase your safety when shopping online:

1. Always read reviews

If possible, always read reviews of any company you're thinking about buying from. Find out if these companies have a good reputation and seem legitimate. You can also look at other reviews and comments to see what other customers have said about the business. This will help you avoid scams and identify poorly run businesses.

2. Be aware of your surroundings.

It might be tempting to put up your feet and stay at home while shopping online, but it's not as safe as you may think! Hackers target unsuspecting victims who fall for their tricks by getting them to install malicious software onto their computers or mobile devices.

One way hackers steal information is by taking over the cameras of your laptop or phone and recording everything you do--including entering in personal information like credit card numbers and passwords! To avoid this situation, be careful where you use public Wi-Fi hotspots, including those found in coffee shops, airports, libraries, schools, hotels, etc.

If there is a password required to use it (which there usually is), don't enter your personal information unless you know for sure that it's safe! 

Protect Yourself with a Password

You're probably thinking, "What? I already have a password!" But do you have a strong enough password? Often, people have passwords that are easy to guess. This increases the risk of your personal information being hacked.

If you must use a common word as a password, try adding one or more numbers and special characters to the end of it. For example, if your password is "password," change it to "password1."

Do not use the same password for everything! It can be tempting to use the same password for everything because it's easier. However, if one account gets hacked, all of your accounts will be as well! Instead, make sure every account has its own unique and strong password with numbers and special characters.

Don't click on random links you receive in emails! Hackers often send emails with seemingly innocent links to lure unsuspecting victims into clicking on them and entering their personal information. If you receive an email with a link and don't know where it goes from there, google the link first before clicking on it.

Watch out for phishing scams! Phishing scams involve tricking someone by asking for their personal information through an email that looks like it comes from a reputable company or organization (e.g., Google).

You may think it's safe because they asked for your information directly - but they're just trying to steal your information so they can steal your identity and do what they want with it! If you receive an email

Shop with a trusted site

The first step to online shopping safety is finding a trusted site. That sounds pretty straightforward, but you’d be surprised how many sites aren’t what they seem.

Do your research and make sure the site you are using is reputable and safe. You can find out if a site is reputable by reading reviews from other users or looking for the Siegel symbol that certifies that the site has been authenticated as a legitimate business.

Another way to ensure your online purchases are safe is by doing business only with stores that have been in business for more than five years. Cybercriminals usually go after less established businesses because they don’t have as much of a reputation to lose.

Check your security settings

It's important to ensure that your browser security settings are up to date. This includes staying current with the latest software updates, installing anti-malware software, and using a firewall to protect your computer from unwanted intrusions.

Follow the link to your bank's website

Many times, you will be asked to input your credit card information when purchasing items online. It may seem like a harmless request, but if someone hacks into your account and steals your information, this could cause major problems.

To avoid falling victim to scammers and frauds, follow the link on your bank's website before inputting any of your personal information. Doing this ensures that you are on the safe side and that the site is secure.

Be cautious of what you click on 

It's easy to feel safe when shopping for clothes online. When you're looking at a website, it can be difficult to tell if it is legitimate. Oftentimes, scammers will create an identical site with a slight variation in the company name. This way, unsuspecting victims will think they are on the right site and proceed with their purchase.

Finding out that you have been scammed can be frustrating and embarrassing as well as costly. The best way to ensure that you are on a legitimate site is to check for indicators of authenticity such as a contact number or email address, SSL security seals, memorized transactions, and reputable payment methods.

Don’t use public computers to shop online

One of the biggest reasons why people are vulnerable to being scammed online is because they're using public computers. These computers are often running out-of-date versions of internet browsers, so it's easier for malicious software to steal your information.

If you need to use a public computer, make sure to clear your browser's history and cookies after browsing so that your personal information doesn't get stolen.

Shopping online is convenient, but it isn’t always safe. It can be difficult to know which sites are legitimate and which are not. Some sites may have malware, phishing scams, or other “hooks” that can get you into serious trouble. With these online shopping safety tips, you’ll be able to shop with confidence, knowing that you’ve done everything you can to protect yourself.