The holidays are a busy time for online shoppers. According to a recent study, over 60% of consumers said they would do some or all of their holiday shopping online this year. That’s a lot of people clicking away on their keyboards and smartphones, looking for the best deals on gifts.
With all of this online activity, it’s important to remember to stay safe. Here are 10 tips to help you do just that:
Adopt Strong Password Security Practices
One of the easiest ways to protect your online accounts is to use strong, unique passwords for each one. That way, even if a hacker does manage to get one of your passwords, they won’t be able to access your other accounts.
It can be tough to remember a bunch of different passwords, so you might want to consider using a password manager. This will allow you to create strong, random passwords for all of your accounts and only have to remember one master password.
Avoid Clicking On Links In Emails From People You Don’t Know
Phishing emails are a common way for hackers to try to get your personal information. They’ll send you an email that looks like it’s from a legitimate company, but the link in the email will actually take you to a fake website. Once you’re on the fake website, they may try to get you to enter your personal information or login credentials.
If you get an email from a company you do business with, don’t click on any links in the email. Instead, go to the company’s website directly and see if there is any information about the email. Or, give them a call from a number obtained on their website to confirm that the email is legitimate.
Use A Credit Card Instead Of A Debit Card
When you’re making online purchases, it’s best to use a credit card instead of a debit card. This is because credit cards have better built-in fraud protection. If someone hacked your credit card information and made unauthorized charges, you would not be responsible for those charges.
With a debit card, on the other hand, the money is taken directly out of your bank account. So, if someone did make unauthorized charges, you’d have a much harder time disputing the charges.
Don’t Click On Suspicious Links
If you receive a holiday promo in your email from a store you’ve never shopped at before, be wary. It could be a phishing attempt to get your personal information. The same goes for links posted on social media. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.
If you’re not sure whether a link is safe, you can always hover over it to see where it’s going to take you. If the URL looks suspicious or doesn’t match the store’s website, don’t click on it.
Only Shop Reputable Brand Websites
When you’re looking for holiday deals, it can be tempting to go to less well-known websites that seemingly offer great prices. But, these websites might not be legitimate. They might sell counterfeit goods or they might not even ship the items you ordered.
To avoid getting scammed, only shop at websites for stores that you know and trust. And, if you’ve never heard of the website before, do some research to make sure it’s legit.
Keep Records Of Your Shopping Transactions
After you’ve made an online purchase, make sure to keep a record of the transaction. This can help you keep track of your spending and also act as proof of purchase if there are any problems with the order. If your credit card information is stolen, you can also use these records to dispute any fraudulent charges.
Maintain Good Security Habits
In addition to following the tips above, it’s also important to maintain good security habits in general. This includes keeping your computer and other devices up-to-date with the latest security patches. It also means being cautious about the websites you visit and the email attachments you open.
Consider our Computer Maintenance Plan to keep your computer up-to-date and secure.
By following these tips, you can help ensure that your holiday shopping is safe and secure.
If you have any other questions or need help with your smart speaker don’t hesitate to contact us!