Online shopping is becoming more popular as it's so convenient to just click and buy. Just make sure you're safe when doing business on the Internet.
With gas prices soaring and people living hectic lives and working longer hours, more and more consumers are choosing to shop online rather than waste expensive gasoline driving to stores. Here are some tips for making secure Internet transactions.
Detecting a Safe Web Site
Encryption – Make sure you shop only at secure web sites that use encryption. If the web site uses encryption technology to transfer your information on your computer (such as credit card and bank account information) to an online merchant’s computer, that means the information is scrambled so computer hackers can’t steal it. Fortunately, the only people able to unscramble the code are those with legitimate access privileges.
Plural URL – Look for the “s” following “http" in a web address, indicating it’s safe. However, realize you often you don’t see the "https” until you move onto the site’s order page.
Closed padlock display – The closed padlock display is at the bottom of your screen (on the browser’s status bar). If that lock is open, you should stay away from it, as it’s probably not a secure site.
Unbroken key – An unbroken key also designates a secure site.
Strange web address – If a web address has a string of numbers at the beginning of the URL, be suspicious because this isn’t an address you’d see for a justifiable company.
Tips for Safe Online Shopping
Avoid public places and networks – Don’t do online transactions when you’re using public wireless networks. It's best to buy online at home. When you conduct business in public places using wireless connections such as motels, airports, pubs, and bookstores, you take a chance of someone seeing your laptop screen, stealing personal information. What’s more, an intruder could grab the sensitive information you send over the wireless network.
Don’t use public computers – Because public computers may have programs that log keystrokes (keyloggers), as well as other spywares that snatch sensitive information, wait to make your Internet transactions when you get home.
Use credit cards instead of debit – Debit transactions are riskier than credit ones because a criminal can immediately drain your bank account. The money is spent quickly, so the transgression is harder to fight. On the other hand, a credit card theft is not as disastrous, as your credit card company can help you resolve the matter. Use the same credit card if you have more than one. If you still have reservations about giving out your credit card number online, then use third-party escrow services such as PayPal.
Don’t share SSN and/or birthdate information – Usually legitimate web sites won’t ask you to give out personal information such as your social security number (SSN) and/or birthdate. By giving out both your birthdate and SSN, you can give criminals enough data to apply for new credit cards in your name.
Keep accurate records – Always keep accurate, detailed records of any online transactions. This way you’ll have evidence of your purchase if problems occur.
Use updated anti-virus programs – Be sure your computer is secured with updated anti-virus, anti-spyware, and firewall software.
Safeshoppping.org – Created by the American Bar Association, Safeshopping.org is an excellent site to help you make safe online transactions where you can study several topics to help you learn to stay safe.
Call Before Buying
Finally, it’s best to speak live to a real person before buying, especially if you have any questions. If a web site doesn't provide a phone number where you can talk personally to someone, then you probably shouldn’t do business there.
The copyright of the article Staying Safe Shopping Online in Secure Online Purchasing is owned by Venice Kichura. Permission to republish Staying Safe Shopping Online in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
