How to stay safe during online shopping

More and more people do shopping online, as it is comfortable, convenient and oftentimes it is cheaper than the other alternatives. However, when the Internet is involved, certain risks are appearing every time we use it. To shop online safely, and protect your personal identity from malicious types, we brought you some tips that should be worth considering.

1. Check your internet connection

Previously we mentioned the importance of a secure internet connection. Always use it, when making a purchase. Reputable websites use technologies such as SSL (Secure Socket Layer) that encrypt data during transmission. Check if your connection is safe by looking for the padlock icon and the https sign. Without it, your communication can be monitored and obtained by someone who sneaks around in the network.

2. Use a secure payment method

Only shopping sites that take secure payment methods, such as credit cards and PayPal, as they likely give you buyer protection just in case there’s a dispute. Beware of sites and apps that only accept money orders, wire transfers, or checks. Also, look for security labels that certify the safety of the shopping site you are using.

3. Avoid public WIFI

Never make purchases on a public Wi-Fi connection. These networks are risky for a lot of reasons. The owners or other hackers can be scanning the scanning the network’s activity and collecting users’ personal or financial information. Most Wi-Fi hotspots don't encrypt your data, so any hacker at your neighborhood can steal your identity if you are not careful enough. If you use public WIFI you might as well hand your payment information, bank account details to any stranger.

4. Change passwords regularly

In previous articles, we were giving tips on how to choose a proper password for your account. 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 months. This should secure you against some brute-force attack attempts throughout the years.

Also, invest in a good anti-virus software, and watch out for not trustable sites and mobile apps while you do your online shopping rounds. With these extra measures the internet will be a bit safer for you and it will be less likely to be a victim of cybercrime activities.

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