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Computer Security: Safe Online Holiday Shopping


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It’s the holiday time of the year – LOTS of online shopping. Not only can online shopping be a savior, but it’s also a necessity this year. Still, it can also end with identity theft, malware on your computer, and other cyber unpleasantness. Rather than letting it ruin your holiday season, you can take a few simple security precautions and be careful where you shop to help reduce the chances of you being a cyber victim.

When purchasing online, keep these tips in mind to minimize your risk: 

  1. Be cautious about what devices you use to shop online. Mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, make shopping convenient at any time and place, but they frequently lack the security precautions of a regular computer. If you use a mobile device to shop, make extra sure you are taking all the precautions listed below.
  2. Do not use public computers or public wireless for your online shopping. Public computers and wireless networks may contain malicious software that steals your information when you place your order, which can lead to identity theft.
  3.  Secure your computer and mobile devices. Be sure to keep the operating system, software, and apps updated/patched on all of your computers and mobile devices. Use up-to-date antivirus protection and make sure it is receiving updates.
  4. Use strong passwords. The use of strong, unique passwords is one of the simplest and most important steps to take in securing your devices, computers, and online accounts. If you need to create an account with the merchant, be sure to use a strong, unique password. Try to use more than ten characters, with numbers, special characters, and upper- and lower-case letters. Use a unique password for every unique site. If Two-Factor Authentication is available, always opt-in and use it. Don’t forget to set a PIN Code on your mobile phones!
  5. Know your online shopping merchants. Limit your online shopping to merchants you know and trust. If you have questions about a merchant, check with the Better Business Bureau or the Federal Trade Commission. Confirm the online seller’s physical address, where available, and phone number in case you have questions or problems. Do not create an online account with a merchant you don’t trust.
  6. Pay online with one credit card. A safer way to shop on the Internet is to pay with a credit card rather than a debit card. Debit cards do not have the same consumer protections as credit cards. Credit cards are protected by the Fair Credit Billing Act and may limit your liability if your information was used improperly. By using one credit card, with a lower balance, for all your online shopping, you also limit the potential for financial fraud to affect all of your accounts. Always check your statements regularly and carefully, though. Consider using a payment provider like PayPal to protect your credit and banking identities.
  7. Look for “https” when making an online purchase. The “s” in “https” stands for “secure” and indicates that communication with the webpage is encrypted. This helps to ensure your information is transmitted safely to the merchant, and no one can spy on it.
  8. Do not respond to pop-ups. When a window pops up promising you cash or gift cards for answering a question or taking a survey, close it by pressing Control + F4 for Windows and Command + W for Macs.
  9. Be careful opening emails, attachments, and clicking on links.  Be cautious about all the emails you receive, even those purportedly from your favorite retailers. The emails could be spoofed and contain malware.
  10. Do not auto-save your personal information. When purchasing online, you may be given the option to save your personal information online for future use. Consider if the convenience is really worth the risk. The convenience of not having to reenter the information is insignificant compared to the significant amount of time you’ll spend trying to repair the loss of your stolen personal information.
  11. Use common sense to avoid scams. Don’t give out your personal or financial information in a non-secure manner (i.e., email or text messaging). Information on many current scams can be found on the website of the Internet Crime Complaint Center and the Federal Trade Commission.
  12. Review privacy policies. Review the privacy policy for the website/merchant you are visiting. Know what information the merchant is collecting about you, how it will be stored, how it will be used, and if it will be shared with others.  

What to do if you encounter problems with an online shopping site?

Contact the seller or the site operator directly to resolve any issues. You may also contact the following: