Online shopping scams are increasing with the eCommerce industry growing rapidly after the pandemic hit the world. Online shops do offer great deals but do you think you’re shopping in a secure environment.
With big holiday sales coming up like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, many people are looking forward and even cybercriminals. With people searching for big deals and offers, hackers are also getting ready with their scams.
For those who don’t know about Cyber Monday, it is the Monday that follows the Thanksgiving weekend, where online retailers offer special discounts and sales.
In the web safeguarding your financial and personal information is very especially during online shopping. Below we provide you with ten tips that help you stay secure from online shopping scams.
Tips to protect from Online shopping scams
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Do online shopping on safe sites
Make sure to cross-check whether or not the site is genuine and secure before you enter any information. The first thing you can do is check the site’s address and see whether it’s an HTTP or HTTPS site.
If the site isn’t HTTPS then the website doesn’t encrypt user’s data which means your entered personal and financial information is at risk.
Also, if you have an antivirus it will surely warn you of that particular website.
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Don’t use a debit card
If you’re doing online shopping I would suggest you not use your debit card instead stick your credit card or payment services. Why I am telling you this because your debit card is directly linked to your bank account, risk of getting hacked is high.
Whereas credit cards provide you better protection and even if it’s stolen or lost their less to be worried about.
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Beware of email scams
When holidays arrive at your door, it’s the best time for cybercriminals to send you viruses and threats as special offers. If you receive one, make sure you don’t open it if it’s not familiar to you.
Not only scam emails but bad actors even try to steal your information through messaging as your bank or financial that there are issues with your account. If you get one, immediately call and clarify it with your bank, never fall for such fraud tricks.
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Create a strong password
Simple passwords make it easier for hackers to guess and crack them. Instead, if you’re making an account on shopping sites, make sure the password is strong.
Also, if you have multiple accounts on different sites, use different passwords for each of them. It helps to prevent exposure of all the accounts even if one gets hacked.
You can then take the help of Password Manager in order to store and secure multiple passwords. Take the help of password managers to create strong passwords.
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Utilize an antivirus to prevent online shopping scams
An antivirus like McAfee Total Protection provides an extra layer of shield to ensure a safe environment while you shop. It provides you a different safe browser that prevents fraudulent activities and malicious links leading to financial scams.
- Beware of hoaxer sites and deals
Hoaxer sites and deals are copy-cats but fraudulent tactics that are set up as genuine but actually they aren’t. For the sake of fooling people into a trap, hackers use such methods to steal financial and personal information.
You will often the copy-cat stuff as email and on social media platforms. To prevent such online shopping scams, you need to be sceptical and always avail deals from genuine sellers.
- Be careful of shopping apps too
Apps indeed are quick and convenient way online shopping and ordering your product. But it’s also a convenient way for hackers to steal your sensitive information.
I would recommend you to never download apps from third-party sources. Use your phone’s app store to download any shopping app.
Once you download the app, look for the permission it seeks for, are they crossing the line of your privacy. Also, before downloading an app check out its reviews to know the flaws.
- Don’t do online shopping using public Wi-Fi
Even if you’re using public Wi-Fi for shopping online, make sure you have a VPN enabled. Even though free hotspots are like gifts from heaven, hackers take the full benefit of it to access your phone.
Public Wi-Fi doesn’t have any security, if once a hacker successfully gets access to your phone, all your sensitive information is at risk. Especially if you’re using public Wi-Fi don’t use financial sites or sites that consist of your information.
- Enable two-factor authentication on every account
It is the extra layer of shield that protects your username and password. Two-factor authentication sets up unique one-time codes that is usually sent via text, mail or call.
If someone is trying to get access to your account, two-factor will stop the person before finally accessing the account. If this feature is available, don’t forget to enable it.
- Lockdown your device
Online shopping is convenient, you can shop from anywhere and at any time. In order to prevent online shopping scams, make sure the devices use security software and passcode.
Whenever you leave your device and go somewhere, lock the device completely,ly and walk away. Also, when you access any financial, banking or shopping website make sure you completely log and don’t let your computer your sensitive information.
Final Thoughts
I hope after going through the post, you will be able to prevent any online shopping scams. Always be ready to prevent any threats whether its an online scam or a virus.
Don’t divert your mind once you see greats, discounts, and offers, be skeptical, and always follow safety tips that are given above.
