|
Please note: Feel free
to use the copy/graphics below on your website/blog.
|
|
|
iolo
Tech Tips |
|
Online Shopping Safety |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recognize Fraudulent Sites
Learn to spot websites that
aren’t really what they say: they want your
information! |
|
Use Credit Card Security
Use credit card security software to hide data
from spying eyes. |
|
Stay Alert
Pay close attention to your bank account and
carefully review any statements.. |
|
|
|
How to Stay Safe
Shopping Online
The rise of online shopping has changed the way
consumers think around the world. These days, it is much
easier to shop for the best price on anything, as there
is global competition in some cases. This is a good
thing for consumers, as most can find a better price
online than traditional, in-person stores.
This transition to online shopping has met some
roadblocks, especially when it comes to safety.
Is online shopping
actually safe?
Generally speaking, most consumers have a
safe experience shopping online at the same trusted
websites of businesses they would go to in person. With
that said, there are plenty of people looking to
capitalize on all that valuable credit card and payment
information floating around these different websites.
Being aware of those risks, and utilizing safety tips
along the way, will improve the user experience.
There are two main tactics used by those trying to make
people feel less than comfortable online. Deception
works when a fraudulent website tries to disguise itself
as a reputable retailer. There are many different ways
to frame a website to look one way, but it is nothing
more than a way to steal information.
Invasion is the other method used, as it takes just one
inadvertent click to download spyware or open up an
opportunity for information to leak. Some invasion
tactics are very aggressive, while others are meant to
be passive to lure a shopper in.
There have always been risks with any shopping, but the
online world brings new concerns to the table. Instead
of constantly being afraid of information being stolen
and a scam occurring, keep these tips in mind before
entering personal information, account numbers, and
more.
Install a useful anti-malware
program
Anyone who owns a computer should have some level of
anti-malware software on it. There are way too many
risks when connecting online, and the best way to
prevent issues is to stop viruses and attacks before
they ever happen.
There are many options to choose from, but iolo
System Shield is one of the very best. It is easy to
stay protected at all times, and people can opt-in for
automatic updates if they wish. With new threats popping
up all the time, it is important to have software that
updates regularly for the best protection.
The best anti-malware program is somewhat of an
investment but worth the extra layer of protection.
Considering the ramifications of a virus taking over a
computer, an added safety feature makes sense.
Getting the most out of
security settings on a computer
There are many security settings available for Windows
users, but the average person might not know how to
optimize. For total optimization, users should plug up
any holes in security. There are a few effective methods
to make sure that security settings are always
up-to-date.
The first step is keeping up with any operating system
or browser updates. Users will be alerted when there is
a free update to download, and they are pretty
straightforward as well. It might be easy to ignore them
for another time, but it will provide the best amount of
security.
For even more optimization, use System Mechanic’s
Security Optimizer. By simply running the program, a
person can find any type of vulnerable areas with an
operating system or browser. Security Optimizer is easy
to run and gets straight to the point for easy fixes.
Shop and pay reputable
vendors only
It can be very enticing to shop around and try to find
the best deal possible, but not all websites are created
equally. If the price seems too good to be true, or the
retailer does not seem reputable, it might be better to
pass on a great deal.
Try to do some research on any new vendors before
putting in payment information. There is also the option
to use a third-party payment processor instead of
working directly with a company. A few examples include
PayPal, Google Checkout, and Apple Pay. If they do not
offer these payment options, it might be a red flag.
A credit card is better
than a debit card
Credit cards generally have better safety measures in
place compared to debit cards. The goal is for neither
to be compromised, but a person can do slightly less
damage with a credit card.
Credit cards have spending limits for starters, and an
account will be flagged if there is any suspicious
behavior. There is no real spending limit with debit
cards, so a person can have their entire account wiped
out, or even worse, overdrawn.
Credit card companies bend over backward to deal with
any disputes that might pop up. Users can dispute any
charges that appear fraudulent, and they are likely to
get everything fixed as quickly as possible.
For even more protection, people can use a few methods
to make sure that damage is kept at a minimum. For
example, if a credit card has a very low credit limit,
charges can’t get too out of hand. There are even some
companies that offer temporary credit cards for added
protection. Since they can’t be used again, even if the
information is stolen, it is worthless.
Invest in password and
credit card protection
A secure credit card manager that stores your credit
card data using local encryption is a good way to
prevent hacks from key loggers, who use software to
record users’ keystrokes to obtain personal information.
ByePass from iolo is part of
System Mechanic® Ultimate Defense™, and one such
solution. ByePass safely stores your login credentials
and credit card info, only calling this information up
when signing onto websites or filling in the online
shopping cart at the time of purchase.
Examine the checkout
area before processing payment
It is unacceptable for companies not to have encrypted
checkout areas for online shoppers these days. The vast
majority of businesses use secure sockets layer (SSL)
technology to make sure that everything is encrypted.
That means when information goes from a shopper’s
computer to the server for the store, that information
can’t be intercepted.
Most companies are proud to broadcast that they offer an
encrypted checkout. Another way to check is to look at
the website address. If it starts with https, or there
is a security icon near the address bar, there are added
safety features.
Save any and all emails
and receipts
If there is one thing that has not changed from shopping
in stores to shopping online, it is the value of holding
onto the receipt. Until the transaction is completed,
and even after that matter, it is important to hold onto
proper documentation. That can mean a traditional
receipt, or more than likely, an email with confirmation
numbers.
If there is any discrepancy, this is the easiest way to
get everything resolved. It is usually fine to save it
to the computer, but some people will even print these
emails off to have a physical copy.
Password strength
matters
Anyone who uses the same password for numerous websites,
or using a password that is extremely easy to guess, is
putting themselves at a pretty big risk. A strong
password is a great first line of defense against
anything out there. There are ways for hackers to get
into just about any account, but it becomes so much more
complicated with a challenging password.
What are the best ways to keep a strong password without
being overwhelmed with too many crazy ones to remember?
ByePass thinks up and remembers secure passwords for
you, and then loads them into your browser when you need
them. This is a secure, convenient solution that lets
you avoid insecurely saving your passwords in your web
browser.
When setting up the password initially, try to use a
mixture of different characters to make it a little more
challenging. For example, instead of just using a word
or phrase, adding numbers and symbols to the password
will help significantly. Also, think about using both
lower and upper case letters. ByePass does all of this
for you.
Stay away from any private information as part of the
password or widespread words that are too easy to guess.
It might seem more convenient to go with a password that
is easy to remember, but it will not be affected.
Be aware of charges at
all times
It is a good habit to check bank statements fairly often
to ensure that no fraudulent charges are hitting. Some
top banks already offer some protection by keeping an
eye out for suspicious activity. If any charge seems
questionable, tackling that issue sooner rather than
later is the best way to go.
If it is too good to be
true, it probably is
This has been touched on a little bit already, but way
too many people fall for amazing offers online. If it
sounds too good to be true, the reason is that it very
likely could be a fraudulent setup. Maybe the company is
straight-up stealing information, or they are selling
counterfeit goods. Whatever the case is, do not fall for
the trap of trying to save a ton of money and expecting
the same type of customer care from a vendor with no
positive reputation.
Do not provide too much
information
To complete a transaction, a company does not need much
more information than a traditional store. Yes, it is
important to provide a shipping address, and there may
be an extra step to verify a purchase. However, no
company ever needs a shopper to provide their Social
Security number or their birthdate.
Any surprise asks for information more than likely has
an ulterior motive. Scammers are looking to get as much
information as possible on customers to use their
identities for fraudulent activity. Do not willingly
provide valuable personal information to any online
shops.
If you have any questions/comments on the above, please email
us.
|
