There is a plethora of reasons to shop online. It’s convenient, quick, diverse, and sometimes cheap. But there are bad guys everywhere, and the internet is no different.
Whether you’re a regular or seasoned online shopper, ensuring security should be on the top of your list. Here are eight smarts online shopping ways to guarantee a safe and secure online shopping experience.
Best Smart Online Shopping Ways with Safe and Secure Online Shopping
1. Don’t overshare
The first step towards smart online shopping is not to overshare. No online shopping retailer wants your social security number or date of birth, so don’t be too generous and tell everything about yourself. If crooks or scammers get hold of your personal, sensitive information, they can do a lot of damage.
Most sites will ask for your Name, Email ID, Phone Number, and Address. You should deny any additional information required. Or better, spend some time and read the provider’s Privacy Policy. It’ll give you a better insight into how the data will be used.
2. Use familiar websites only
It’s good to experiment with new websites, but sticking to familiar, renowned websites is one of the safe online shopping essentials. You are likely to fall victim to fake websites if you get greedy. These sites often run offers that are too good to be true. If you fall for them, you’ll likely give away your personal details.
So, the best way to ensure online shopping safety is to shop from trusted websites like Desertcart only which have good global credibility. If you want to try new sites, be sure to do some research first. Check out the site policies and customer reviews to get a better idea of what to expect from the site.
3. Go for the lock
Some websites don’t tend to give away your personal information, but they’re not secured enough to protect it either. That’s why you should always look for the lock to confirm your online shopping security.
When you visit a site for the first time, look for a lock icon on the left of the URL address. Alternatively, you can also check if the site has SSL integration or not. If the URL of the website has “https” in the start instead of “http,” it’s secured, and you can share your details on it. If any of these factors are missing, refrain from sharing any personal information.
4. Check your statements regularly
Another essential secure online shopping tip that most buyers neglect is to check their bank statements regularly. Don’t wait for your bill to come at the end of the month. Instead, go online and check the electronic statements for your bank accounts, debit cards, and credit cards. See if there are any fraudulent charges. And don’t limit yourself to banks and cards; look for any signs of fraud from sites like PayPal and Stripe as well.
That being said, it’s always a smart online shopping decision to use credit cards. Debit cards are linked to your bank account, and if scammers get access to its details, your bank details can be compromised. Credit cards are not linked to your bank account, and they have more protection features. You can notify your card issuer regarding a fraudulent transaction and get it reversed.
5. Create strong passwords
Another essential tip for safe online shopping is to set strong passwords. A large majority of online shoppers never change their passwords. It’s like using the same lock to protect your safe locker for years. Moreover, most people set guessable passwords, such as a name-DOB or name-phone number combination.
So, create strong passwords that aren’t easy to guess. And make sure to change your passwords once in a while; once or twice a year is a good frequency.
6. Be a smart computer user
You may think you are smart, but hackers are smarter. They don’t sit around waiting for you to disclose your personal details. Instead, they get into your system and steal it from you. It’s like breaking into your house and stealing from you at gunpoint. The only difference is that there’s no gun here, and you’ll probably not come to know that someone has got access to your computer.
The key to online shopping security is to protect your system against viruses and malware. You can do this by regularly updating your computer software, using a good antivirus program, and be watchful of phishing emails.
7. Avoid pubic shopping
Another critical tip for secure online shopping is to not use public Wi-Fi. Let’s face it, we all love free internet. When we go to a cafe or restaurant, free Wi-Fi is all we need. But it’s better to limit the use of open Wi-Fi to watching cat videos on YouTube.
Open networks are not protected, and any actions you take on these networks are vulnerable to data theft. Hackers love open networks as they give them an open window to attack unintelligent users. When you make online purchases, always use a private network: i.e., your home Wi-Fi or personal data connection.
8. Complain loud and proud
Even after following all these smart online shopping tips, you might fall into a trap and become the victim of a fraud. If such a thing happens, don’t be embarrassed and hide it. Instead, get mad, furious, and vindictive.
Complain about the fraud to the seller. If you don’t get results, you can report the scam to your local law authorities as well. For instance, if you are a US citizen, you can register a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, your state’s attorney general, and even the FBI.
Conclusion
Online shopping frauds are not uncommon. Every now and then, people fall victim to data theft and transaction fraud. While it’s the bad guys who are responsible, most scams are a result of the stupid actions of customers.
Don’t be one of them. Follow the safe online shopping tips discussed above to ensure a pleasing experience. And if, by chance, you get scammed, don’t stay quiet. Bring it up and take the necessary action.