Shopping online is fun and a great way to save money. However, you shouldn’t overlook security while shopping online. Here are three things you must know to shop safely.
There is no reason that you shouldn’t shop online. The variety you can find online cannot be matched by stores or shopping malls. And what about shopping deals? You can find scores of shopping deals online. Shopping online is convenient and saves you money. But what about security? How can you remain secure and protect your money from scammers and hackers? With a little common sense the following tips, you can be quite sure that you are safe from prying eyes and hackers.
Keep Your PC Clean
It starts from your PC. For many, it is too obvious to mention that you should have a reliable antivirus installed on your computer. The primary motive of viruses and malicious programs is to rip you off of your money. In addition to the antivirus, have a URL adviser, like Web of Trust or WOT, installed in your browser. This will warn you if you visit any known malicious website.
Prefer Known Websites
If you are shopping from well-known websites like Amazon or eBay, you can be sure that the sites will not misuse your financial information. You still need to pay attention to the product specifications and the reviews, however. Beware of misspellings! A malicious website can have a very similar look to the website you trust, but with misspelled yet similar name. Also, pay attention to the TLD, that is the part of the website after the dot, like com, net, org, etc.
Look for SSL
SSL or secure sockets layer is encryption installed on a website. SSL ensures that no one can intercept the communication between your device and the website. You can see the presence of SSL by looking at the green lock icon on the left of the website address in most web browsers. Never enter your financial information into the websites that do not have SSL. While SSL does not guarantee that the website will handle your information appropriately, it is one of the many signs of legitimate websites.
Theresa Smith is an experienced fashion blogger. She has been blogging for nearly 10 years, and her blog posts are often featured in major publications. Her blog posts cover everything from the latest trends to tips on how to wear certain pieces of clothing. Theresa’s favorite style icons include Audrey Hepburn and Michelle Obama, who she cites as having great style.
