When we shop online, most of us assume everything will be safe and easy. But online shopping can be risky. Want to dodge danger? Follow these simple tips.
How to shop online safely
1. Always keep your PC protected
A PC free of viruses and threats is a closed door to any hacking attempt (for example, a malware that hijacks your computer). We recommend that you have the highest security measures on your operating system or that you install an antivirus.
2. Only shop on trusted websites
These days, many unreliable websites will try to lure you with fake offers and zero guarantees. To know if a website is trustworthy, the first tip is to check the URL: does it start with https? Great! You’re good to go. If it starts with http, get out. This means that its security protocol is weak or nonexistent.
Other tips to check if a website is trustworthy: look to see if its customer service is visible and accessible. In general, if the website has good spelling and layout: shady websites usually don’t have reliable online stores.
3. Be careful with crazy bargains
No, nobody is going to sell you a $200 brand-name pair of shoes for $20. A good deal is one thing, but you should keep an eye out for an unrealistic bargain that hides low-quality fakes or even products that never arrive. Don’t trust pages with extravagant bargains, they’re likely to be unreliable.
4. Control your personal data
It’s normal for an online store to ask for certain info to place an order, such as your address and ID/Passport. Make sure that this info doesn’t end up in the wrong hands by reading the privacy policy on the site about how data is used. Also, on many forms, they ask you if you want to release your data to third parties (usually for advertising purposes). If you don’t want to, uncheck this option.
5. Make sure your payments are secure
When paying, make sure that the website has a secure payment platform. Also, we recommend that you choose payment methods that are easier to claim if the item isn’t what you expected: so, it’s better to pay with Paypal or credit card than making a money transfer.
6. Always check how much money you’ve been charged
Once the payment is made, check your banking statement to see if you’ve been charged the correct amount and that no additional unspecified charges have been made. If this happens, the business is engaging in illegal activity and you should cancel your order as soon as possible and get in touch with your bank to make a complaint, if necessary (though in most cases, you won’t need to go to that extreme).
7. Watch out for phishing!
Phishing is when hackers send email messages and pose as other trusted senders, such as stores or banks. During Christmas campaigns, these emails are even more common, looking to lure clueless victims.
If you get an email with links that aren’t clear, don’t open it. What’s more: never open attached files that supposedly have been sent by online stores. This isn’t how they communicate: these messages are fraudulent and the attachments have viruses or other threats. Send them directly to your spam folder!
