The holiday season is here, and with it comes the increase of online shopping. But while shopping from your couch is convenient, it’s important to keep your personal and financial information safe. During this time of year, the opportunities to take advantage of unsuspecting and often overwhelmed holiday shoppers create a playground for bad actors. Did you know you are 30% or more likely to be successfully hacked during the holidays?!? Here are 10 secure online shopping tips to help you have a happy, hacker-free, holiday.
1. Stick to Reputable Websites: When shopping online, use websites you trust, like Amazon, Walmart, or the official websites of brands you know. If you’re exploring a new site, check that the web address (URL) starts with “https.” The “s” means it’s more secure.
Quick Tip: Avoid clicking on ads or links in emails unless you’re 100% sure they’re from the actual store.
2. Use Strong, Unique Passwords: It might seem easier to reuse passwords, but each site you shop on should have a unique password. If one account gets compromised, you don’t want it to lead to others.
Quick Tip: Consider using a password manager. These tools help create and store strong passwords, so you don’t have to remember them all.
3. Be Careful with Public Wi-Fi: Shopping on public Wi-Fi networks (like those in coffee shops or malls) puts your data at risk, as these networks are often less secure.
Quick Tip: If you need to shop on the go, use your mobile data instead of public Wi-Fi. Or, if you’re tech-savvy, use a virtual private network (VPN) for added security.
4. Watch Out for Phishing Scams: Phishing emails and texts are fake messages from scammers pretending to be legit stores. They may contain links that look like official websites but are designed to steal your information.
Quick Tip: Double-check the sender’s email address, and if an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. When in doubt, go directly to the store’s official website.
5. Use Credit Cards or Secure Payment Methods: Credit cards offer extra protection compared to debit cards. If something goes wrong, you’re more likely to get your money back with a credit card dispute.
Quick Tip: If a site offers secure payment options like PayPal, Apple Pay, or Google Pay, use them. They don’t share your card details with the store.
6. Keep an Eye on Your Accounts: Regularly check your bank and credit card statements for any unusual activity. The sooner you spot suspicious charges, the faster you can report them.
Quick Tip: Many banks and credit card companies offer real-time alerts. Turning on these notifications can help you quickly spot any unauthorized charges.
7. Don’t Save Payment Info on Retail Sites: While it’s convenient to save your card details for future purchases, it’s safer to enter your payment information each time you shop.
Quick Tip: If you choose to save card information, make sure it’s only on trusted websites, and always log out when you’re done shopping.
8. Look Out for Fake Apps: Some scammers create fake apps that look like popular stores. These apps often steal your information or load your phone with malware.
Quick Tip: Download apps only from the official App Store or Google Play Store. Look for verified reviews, and make sure the developer name matches the brand’s official name.
9. Keep Your Devices Updated: Keeping your phone, tablet, and computer updated helps protect against malware and security issues. Updates often include patches that keep you safer online.
Quick Tip: Set up automatic updates on your devices so you never miss important security improvements.
10. Avoid Shopping on Work Devices: It might be tempting to sneak in some holiday shopping on your work computer or phone, but this can put both your personal information and your company’s data at risk. Company devices are often monitored and may have security restrictions, and mixing personal and work activities can open the door to cyber threats.
Staying safe while holiday shopping online doesn’t have to be complicated. With a few simple precautions, you can enjoy the convenience of online shopping without risking your personal information. Remember, if something doesn’t feel right, it’s worth a double-check.
Happy (and secure) shopping this holiday season!
