A Few Of My Favorite Things To Remember When Shopping Online
Forrester research recently reported that an estimated $78.7 billion will be spent online this holiday season. Just like myself, I am sure many of you will play some small role in contributing to this year’s total online sales. According to the National Retail Federation, the average consumer spent about 44 percent of their time shopping online over Black Friday weekend.
Unfortunately, the 15 percent increase in online sales this holiday season is also handcuffed with an increase in online crime. The question then becomes what can consumers do to protect themselves from cyber criminals who stole nearly $10 million online during the 2011 holiday season? Here are a few of my favorite things to remember for a safe online shopping experience. Also check out the info-graphic below to see if you can find each of these recommendations:
1. The most important rule is to use some common sense. As the old adage says, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” Scams often entice people with promises of having that impossible to find gift for a really good deal.
2. Ensure when you perform transactions online that you are doing so using a secure connection. This is easily identifiable by the “HTTPS:” in the address bar and accompanied by a small icon of a padlock next to the address.
3. Use strong passwords on each of your accounts. A strong password is usually 8 or more characters (preferably more) with a combination upper/lower case letters, numbers, and special characters. Maybe even try a passphrase like “Il0v3Th3Holid@y$!”
4. Keep your antivirus software up to date.
5. If Possible, use a credit card instead of a debit card so that an attacker can’t drain your bank account if you are victimized.
6. Check all of your accounts and credit reports regularly for errors, discrepancies, or fraudulent purchases. They may only be $5 purchase that you never made or a much larger purchase.
7. Don’t use Public Wi-Fi. Unencrypted Public Wi-Fi can be easily tracked and read by savvy criminals and is the same thing as going into a store and screaming out your credit card number.
8. Never give out your Social Security Number (National ID Number in Europe) online.
9. Use mobile apps that are specifically made by or endorsed by your retailer. There are a lot of fake apps on the market that aim to steal your information. Also be weary of unexpected text messages geared towards selling you something.
10. Don’t buy gift cards through online auctions or classifieds. They may have a $0 balance.
Unfortunately, the 15 percent increase in online sales this holiday season is also handcuffed with an increase in online crime. The question then becomes what can consumers do to protect themselves from cyber criminals who stole nearly $10 million online during the 2011 holiday season? Here are a few of my favorite things to remember for a safe online shopping experience. Also check out the info-graphic below to see if you can find each of these recommendations:
1. The most important rule is to use some common sense. As the old adage says, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” Scams often entice people with promises of having that impossible to find gift for a really good deal.
2. Ensure when you perform transactions online that you are doing so using a secure connection. This is easily identifiable by the “HTTPS:” in the address bar and accompanied by a small icon of a padlock next to the address.
3. Use strong passwords on each of your accounts. A strong password is usually 8 or more characters (preferably more) with a combination upper/lower case letters, numbers, and special characters. Maybe even try a passphrase like “Il0v3Th3Holid@y$!”
4. Keep your antivirus software up to date.
5. If Possible, use a credit card instead of a debit card so that an attacker can’t drain your bank account if you are victimized.
6. Check all of your accounts and credit reports regularly for errors, discrepancies, or fraudulent purchases. They may only be $5 purchase that you never made or a much larger purchase.
7. Don’t use Public Wi-Fi. Unencrypted Public Wi-Fi can be easily tracked and read by savvy criminals and is the same thing as going into a store and screaming out your credit card number.
8. Never give out your Social Security Number (National ID Number in Europe) online.
9. Use mobile apps that are specifically made by or endorsed by your retailer. There are a lot of fake apps on the market that aim to steal your information. Also be weary of unexpected text messages geared towards selling you something.
10. Don’t buy gift cards through online auctions or classifieds. They may have a $0 balance.
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