Online shopping allows you to pick up your favorites from anywhere around the world. But few major disturbances may come in your way while doing shopping online. As we all know that with the help of some malicious software including malware, spyware and other viruses, cyber criminals can track your internet surfing activities and can do great harm to you. Online shopping demands email address, password, credit card numbers and other personal details and all these details can be reached out to those cybercriminals and this generally happens when you shop from an illegitimate site. But the foremost question that may arise in your mind is how you will know that the site that you have entered for online shopping is harmful or not. So here are certain most important tips that can lighten your burden in this regard.
Ignore Illegitimate Websites
Red flags indicating a strange or nonsensical Web address, poor design and multiple pop-up windows you are unable to close are certain distrustful indications of a doubting site. If you notice indication of this kind then put an end surfing that site at the very moment.
Shop from Protected Websites Only
Never ever buy anything online where you have to use your credit card number from a website that doesn’t hold SSL (secure sockets layer) encryption installed. If the URL of the site starts with HTTPS:// (instead of just HTTP://) which shows that it is a site holding SSL certificate.
Update your Anti-virus Software
Ensure that your computer anti-virus software program is running and don’t forget to up-to-date it from time to time so that your computer system may not get affected by malicious viruses .
Avoid Clicking on Hyperlinks Embedded in Emails
If you ever receive any email that asks you to visit a different site, avoid the instruction as it can direct you to a spam site. In place of clicking on a hyperlink, type your desired Web address into your browser manually.
Shopping From Cellphone can Prove Detrimental
Security firm BitDefender holds that online shopping with the help of mobile devices can turn up with its own set of security challenges as abbreviated URLs can more readily ensnare shoppers into visiting damaging sites.
Avoid Using Public WiFi
Using public Wi-Fi access enables the hackers gain access to all your personal information. So it is always safe to avoid typing credit card numbers and passwords in public hotspots.
Know your Rights
The Better Business Bureau states that if the products do not ship on time then the customers have the full right to cancel the order and obtain a refund. They have also the right to dispose of the ordered item if found defective or distorted.
Don’t Let Anyone Know Your Social Security Number Online
Levin is of the opinion that if any site demands your social security number during check out process then there is a probability of being that a scam site.
Choose Strong Passwords
Choose a password that is hard to crack. Your password should not be too simple so that it cannot be guessed easily and it should not be too difficult too as there is a chance to forget it.
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