Here are some tips:
Don’t use public Wi-Fi for making online purchases.
Most businesses that provide free Wi-Fi don’t provide encrypt your data, that means anyone else that’s sharing that Wi-Fi with you can intercept your data using special software. You can feel free to look around for items and note the url for the item you want, but wait to make that purchase until you’re back on a protected network. This also applies to using your cell Phone on public Wi-Fi.
Smartphones aren’t always a smart choice for shopping.
Yes, your phone does a great job for surfing the web, however your phone is likely lacking anti-virus software, so its easy to pick up malware on it. Since typing passwords are a pain on a cell phone, many people choose to let their cellphone browsers save their passwords, think about what vulnerabilities you’ve created it if your phone itself is stolen. Most phone allow for password protection at the homescreen, or better yet use a tool like LastPass to store your passwords. Cellphones also display shortened URLs, so its hard to tell if you’re really going to the real website you’re searching for. Back up your phone frequently and don’t make purchases using it.
Look for HTTPs in the URL.
A URL that starts with HTTPS vs. just HTTP is secure, versus unsecure. Never ever enter your credit card number or other personal information on a webpage that does not start with HTTPS. Sometime the URL is displayed as green, or with a closed lock icon or a key on the screen.
Trust your instincts.
If the website you are attempting to shop seems shady, or fills your screen with pop-ups, asks for weird information or looks like it was built decades ago, be aware. Also look for real contact information for the store site. Trust your gut, a great price may not be worth the hassle of having your information stolen or never getting your order.
On a side note, if you’re a retailer with an old looking eCommerce site, give Appletree a call, we’ll get you back to 2016 and gain your consumer’s trust back.
Update your system and passwords.
Those annoying computer updates and browser update exist (for the most part) to apply security patches to known vulnerabilities. So be sure to run updates. Also don’t use the same passwords for all your shopping accounts, you’d be surprised how many eCommerce databases store passwords unencrypted. It’s also helpful to update your passwords frequently so you don’t find out that your password was stolen in a breach months before the press release was issued from a store.
Other online scams to watch for:
Email Links
The Email phishermen have improved their game lately and its getting harder and harder to tell the scam emails from the real ones. Real companies won’t ask for your personal information to be updated via an email. When in doubt, don’t click on the link, but instead type in the company’s URL directly yourself.
Also watch for fake invoices from delivery services, these can be especially tricky for small businesses that do receive invoice by email, if you don’t recognize the send, delete the email or be sure you have an up to date virus scanner on your email.
Holiday Freebies
E-cards; these fun messages are often ridden with malware and pop-ups. Thanks but no thanks.that makes them all vulnerable if one is hacked. A free fun app by email? Don’t click on the link or download it unless you are getting it from a trusted online app store such as Apple or Android or Windows. Same goes for free dating links, products and more. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Luxury items at great prices
Yep those high fashion items at dollar store prices are probably not real. Use your gut on these. Although some people won’t notice your fake purse or boots, so they may be worth it to you.
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