No one wants to deal with a cyber-security breach, stolen credit card number, or identity theft. But we do want to shop from our phones, tablets, and laptops. Thankfully, some simple precautions can go a long way. Stay safe this season when shopping for the holidays – take advantage of these smart tips for online shopping!
Know Your Merchant
The easiest way to stay safe online is by buying from reputable merchants and vendors. Amazon and retail sites like Walmart.com and Target.com are safe bets. Not only do these sites have millions of successful transactions under their proverbial belt, but they have customer service teams who can help should an order be lost or go missing. Sites like Ebay and Etsy are safe as well (more often than not, anyway), but you must remember that they are acting merely as an intermediary between you and the seller. If Joe in Missouri takes your money and runs, you may have little recourse.
Be Smartphone Safe
To stay smartphone safe, make sure that your operating system is always up to date, your Internet connection is always secure, and your phone is always locked. Much of being smartphone safe involves taking common sense precautionary measures. However, today’s mobile processors can play a role as well. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon line of mobile processors, for example, offers built-in security support, including 3D fingerprint identity, theft prevention solutions, and content protection. So while it’s a good idea to do all that you can to protect your personal information, it doesn’t hurt to buy a smartphone that protects itself.
Be Wary of Public Wi-Fi
It is strongly recommended that you not shop or access personal information while using a public Wi-Fi network. If you plan on checking your bank account balance or using a credit card, do it on a secure wireless network or over protected Wi-Fi. Why? Because public Wi-Fi networks greatly increase the risk of your personal information being stolen. If you must use public Wi-Fi, consider installing and using a VPN, or virtual private network, to encrypt your private data from prying eyes. Planning on doing some holiday shopping at your local coffee shop? Perhaps you should think again.
Keep Your Confirmation Emails
If you receive a confirmation email for your purchase, keep it! Don’t delete it or archive it until you’ve received your package, confirmed that you received the correct item, and are satisfied with it. If you need to return the item for any reason, you’ll want to have your confirmation email handy. If you don’t receive a confirmation email, you may be out of luck. This is why it is always a good idea to print or save the confirmation page as well. Yes, we’re talking about the page you ignore assuming you’ll receive an email follow-up!
Become Close Friends with Your Bank
Okay, so you don’t have to become close friends with your bank, but should something go wrong with your order (for example, you’re charged more than you should have been or there are suspicious charges that you don’t recall making yourself), your bank will likely be your first line of defense. Banks don’t always have the best reputation, and not without reason, but they are there to help. If you notice anything suspicious, contact your bank immediately so that the situation can be made right.
Beware Phishing Scams
You may think that phishing (the act of defrauding someone via email by posing as a legitimate authority and requesting personal information) is a thing of the past, but that couldn’t be further from the truth – it is still very much a tactic favored by hackers and identity thieves. If you believe that an email is suspicious, it probably is. If an email is requesting your credit card number, social security number, or password, the odds are good that it’s a scam. Report it to your email provider and do not respond.
Shopping Online Shouldn’t Be Scary
From celebrity hacks to massive password leaks, the last couple of years have illustrated quite clearly that we are far from exempt from attack on our mobile devices. Thankfully, there are simple steps that you can take to protect yourself. Use common sense, take advantage of the many security features offered in today’s mobile processors, and shop only using a secure network, and you can shop safety and confidently. So get started – the holidays are right around the corner!
Jennifer Thayer is a technology writer from Southern California who loves finding ways technology can make life easier. She enjoys sharing her tips and tricks with readers. Follow her on Twitter.