There are many reasons why people shop online. They can find bargains, make selections from a large inventory, have their purchases shipped quickly, and return items easily. Shopping on the Internet is safer than going out, even if you wear a mask or gloves to disguise your identity. These figures may be alarming, but they should not deter you from shopping online. The most important thing is to use the Internet safely and wisely because there are many scammers waiting to exploit your mistakes. Simply use common sense and practical advice, and you can shop with confidence. Here are some basic guidelines; follow them and you’ll be fine.
Use Familiar WebsitesWhen searching for a reputable site, start with a search engine such as Google.com. If you’re searching for something specific, such as a book or product available on Amazon.com, begin your search there. If you’re looking for a product that is not limited to a particular company, try using the broader search options provided by Google or another leading search engine. Never give out personal information such as your credit card number over an unsecured website; if you see an “https” label in the URL bar and/or a closed lock icon next to the URL itself, you can be assured that your information is being encrypted as it travels from your computer to the website’s server and back again.Look for the Lock Never buy anything online with your credit card from a site that does not have SSL encryption installed at the very least.
To determine if a site is secure, look for the “S” in the URL; if it’s present, the site is encrypted. An icon of a locked padlock will appear, typically to the left of the URL in the address bar or status bar down below; it depends on your browser. Chrome flags any page without the extra S as “not secure,” so a site without it should stick out like a sore thumb. Online shops are especially required to be safe spot in the internet, as you are going to give them your payment details. One of such websites we can propose you to check is https://secretnight69.com/ As you can see this online shop follows the simple rules of security.
1. Don’t Overshare
Online shopping sites do not need your Social Security number or your birthday to do business. However, if scammers get that information and your credit card number, they can do a lot of damage. If a website you’re using requires you to give up personal information, take care to protect your identity. Hackers frequently break into such sites and steal people’s names and numbers.
2. Create Strong Passwords
According to PCMag readers, most people don’t change their passwords very often. Only 11 percent say they do it every day. Almost three-quarters of consumers never change their passwords, or do so only a few times a year. If you use the same password on multiple sites, we’ll tell you again how to create a unique password that will keep your accounts safe. It’s important to take precautions during the holidays, when many people shop online and create new accounts on e-commerce sites. To ensure that your passwords are uncrackable, use a password manager to create passwords for you and keep track of them. You will be able to concentrate on other aspects of your life once this task is complete.
Avoid Shopping in Public What about shopping online with your own laptop? When shopping online, you can feel safe by being careful about what you enter into your payment information. When making purchases online, be sure to use a credit card that is already stored with the company, so you do not need to enter your information more than once. For added security, it is best to shop at home and avoid using public computers.
3. Mobile-Friendly Site
Do not be nervous while shopping on a mobile device. Simply use the apps provided directly by retailers. Use the apps to find what you want and then make the purchase directly, without visiting the store or website.
4. Don’t rely on the card if you can use your phone
In brick-and-mortar stores, paying for items by smartphone is becoming standard. And the technology is even more secure than using a credit card. A one-time-use authentication code is generated for purchases that no one else could ever steal and use. Moreover, you reduce the risk of credit card fraud—you do not need to take your credit card with you when you only go places that accept phone-based payments. How does this matter when shopping online? Many phone apps now accept payment via Apple Pay and Google Pay. You can unlock your phone with your fingerprint, face or passcode in just a few seconds.
5. Count cards
It is a good idea to stick to the source when buying an actual physical gift card; scammers like to auction off gift cards on sites like eBay with little or no funds on them. Gift card exchanges are a great idea—letting you trade away cards you don’t want for the cards that you do—but you can’t trust everyone else using such a service. If a gift card seems to have already been activated, check to make sure that the site you’re using has a guarantee policy in case of such an occurrence. Better yet, simply go directly to the retail brick-and-mortar store to get the physical card.
6. Investigate the seller thoroughly
If you are wary of a site, do your research. The Better Business Bureau maintains an online directory and a scam tracker. Sites such as Yelp and Google contain reviews of retailers by consumers. Perform due diligence when purchasing via the internet to prevent becoming a victim of cybercrime. Non-delivery is the most common cybercrime complaint because it hurts when that happens, financially and emotionally. Still, it’s possible for sellers to fake positive reviews or hide legitimate complaints. If you don’t see anything but positive feedback and can’t tell if the writers are legitimate customers, follow your instincts. If nothing else, make absolutely sure you’ve got a concrete address and a working phone number for the seller. If you have a complaint about something, there is an appropriate place to take your grievance. Before ordering, call the company to clarify its return policy and where to take any issues after the purchase.
