COVID-19 lockdowns have forced people indoors and boosts to an already-thriving online economy. You can buy almost anything, from canned goods to disinfectants and custom face masks and have them delivered straight to your doorstep.
Here are 4 tips on how you can make your online shopping experience a safer one.
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Update Your Browser and OS
Keep your computer and data safe from malicious attackers who largely use software exploits by updating to the latest version. On devices, you can go to Settings and app store to ensure all of them are current. On computers, update the browser version and refrain from installing shady plugins and extensions.
Change Your Password Regularly
Your password is more valuable than you think. It’s used to access your personal information and financial data, e.g., credit card or bank account. Therefore, you should take care of it and spend a few minutes changing the password to shopping sites every now and then.
Choose a strong password, one that has letters, numbers and a special character to make it harder for hackers to crack. Also, don’t divulge your password to anyone even if they say they’re from Amazon or eBay.
Check for Trust Indicators
On e-retail shops and independent websites, look for indicators that the platform is trusted. Authorized sites will have a lock icon which is found right beside the URL. Clicking on it will reveal what kind of security and certificates they have. You will also want to see the latest SSL encryption technology.
Don’t Fall for Scam Deals
Do you see an item you want sold for half of what it should normally sell for?
Chances are that it’s either a counterfeit product or that the seller is baiting you into handing over your hard-earned dollars. The general rule of online shopping is- is it too good to be true? If so, then it’s probably fake.
