• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Contact Me
    • About
  • Privacy Policy
    • Advertising & Disclosure

Shop With Me Mama logo

  • DIY/Home
  • Family
    • Kids/Toys
  • Travel
    • Money
  • Health
    • Beauty
  • Fitness
  • Tech
  • Pets
    • Dogs
  • Recipes
  • Giveaways
    • Shop with Me Mama Winners!
    • Product Reviews
You're Home! » These Tips Can Keep You Safe When Online Shopping

October 28, 2020

These Tips Can Keep You Safe When Online Shopping

Please Share!
12
Shares

Like many busy professionals, you’re more reliant on online shopping than ever before. You buy groceries, clothes, and supplies on the Internet to keep up with your hectic schedule and stay safe. These tips below can help to keep you Safe When Online Shopping.

Although online shopping certainly helps you stay physically safe, it also leaves you more vulnerable to digital threats that can damage your computer, hijack your system, steal your identity, or worse.

These Tips Can Keep You Safe When Online Shopping

That’s why it’s essential to follow these online shopping safety tips: 

1. Secure Your Computer

Secure your computer to make it less vulnerable to cybersecurity threats.

These Tips Can Keep You Safe When Online Shopping

Image Source

  • Update Your Software: Update your operating system and all other essential programs to the latest version. The newest software is usually the most secure. 
  • Secure Your Network: Enable the firewall on your operating system and your router to protect your network from unwanted guests. Subscribe to a trusted Virtual Private Network (VPN) service to reinforce your network security and privacy. If you must use unsecured public WiFi to shop, use your VPN to encrypt the traffic.  
  • Check Your Computer: It’s essential to use the latest cybersecurity software to scan your computer for viruses and other malware threats such as ransomware, spyware, and adware. The best cybersecurity software should also offer real-time protection from malware threats to keep your online shopping safe.

2. Avoid Clicking Pop-up Ads

Remember the adage: “If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.” Be wary of overly aggressive pop-ups, push notifications, and other promotions that scream for your attention but are disingenuous. They either ask for your sensitive data such as credit card information or infect your computer with malware. Rarely do pop-up ads offer any real benefits. 

These Tips Can Keep You Safe When Online Shopping

Image Source

3. Protect Yourself from Identity Theft 

Identity theft is your biggest concern while shopping online, especially during the holiday season. According to this data by credit reporting company Experian, 43% of consumers who had their identity stolen say it happened while shopping on the Internet during the holidays. 

Usually, identity thieves rely on trickery. They create fake shopping websites that look legitimate and offer excellent deals to bait shoppers. Their goal is to take your personal information and credit card details from the fraudulent checkout page and steal your money. They may even offer fake financing options to get a hold of your social security number.  

You can usually recognize a fraudulent website when you take a closer look. For example, a fake platform may have spelling mistakes, an unsightly UI, no SSL encryption, and a name that sounds authentic, but isn’t. 

Another weapon in an identity thief’s arsenal is phishing, which is an attempt to steal your sensitive data through legitimate-looking emails and text messages. Educate yourself more on phishing scams to protect yourself. 

Only shop at trusted websites to stay safe. Use strong passwords and avoid saving your username and password on any platform. However, even the most secure websites get breached. For extra safety, use credit cards instead of debit cards when shopping online, as they provide more security. 

Monitor your financial activity every day and report any suspicious transactions immediately. With the right security measures, you can shop online securely and safely.

PIN IT

These Tips Can Keep You Safe When Online Shopping

Primary Sidebar

About Kim

My name is Kim and I have three busy kids. I am married to my middle school sweetheart and we live in Idaho. You can easily contact me on my Contact Me Page!

Email: [email protected]

Let’s Connect

Subscribe!



Footer

Shop with Me Mama is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. All links on this site may be affiliate links and should be considered as such.

Copyright © 2023 · shop with me mama · All Rights Reserved