We all love online shopping, don't we? There's possibly nothing more fun than getting what you need in a matter of just a few clicks, and then having what you need to be delivered right at your door. But, what if it doesn't go on as planned? There are several fake companies online. Additionally, you can find a multitude of identity thieves who can turn your fun of buying into a complete hassle.
So, what should you do? To help you keep yourself protected from the frauds and hassles of online shopping, we have come up with a few tips for safe online shopping. Do not ever click on that buy button before reading through these 6 tips.
Shop from portals you trust
When you shop from an offline portal, you have one big advantage. You are aware of the business and the existence of the inventory. However, the same is not the case online. Certain businesses on the web are fabricated by people who are only seeking your details and credit card information. Nia, who offers online do my java assignment service, says that you must shop online only from retailers you trust and from the popular portals you are aware of.
Size up the business
When you wish to buy something from a new merchant, you need to be very careful. Is the company reliable? Does it interact with its customers on their social media page? Do they have good reviews? Are there any scam reports or complaints against the company? You can even go ahead and contact the business. In case you do not find a phone number, address, or email address online, there could be a red flag. It could mean that this company is fake.
Make use of a VPN
Whenever you are shopping online via a public Wi-Fi, you should always use a VPN or a Virtual Private Network. The work of the VPN is to create an encrypted connection between the VPN server and your computer. So, it is nothing but a tunnel via which your internet traffic travels while you browse through the web. If any hacker is lurking nearby, they wouldn't ever be able to intercept even if they are aware of the password of the Wi-Fi used by you. Thus, the presence of a VPN means that you are safe to shop online, even when using public Wi-Fi.
Beware of the excessively low prices
In case a website offers products at a price that looks too good to be true, then there could be something suspicious. In this case, you should check out similar websites and compare the pictures and the prices of their merchandise. Lily, who works with EduWorldUSA, says that a website displaying perpetually low prices could be a red flag. It could mean that the business is only trying to fool you, and they don't have any items in stock. Such websites might only be existing to steal your personal information.
Avoid using public Wi-Fi
Mostly all the Wi-Fi networks around you employ public airwaves. For someone with even a little know-how and the free public Wi-Fi at your favorite eating or coffee joint, anyone can intercept into what you are browsing on the web. It can also include browsing history, emails, or passwords. So, when you shop online, you are at risk of giving out important information that any identity thief would love. Thus, you should never shop online, especially via Public Wi-Fi.
Opt for a strong password
Anyone who has a password of your account can not only log in to your account, but also change the password, shipping address, and even order the things from your card. So, to ensure that all of this never happens, you need to lock your account with a strong and secure password. Some important tips for a safe password are:
- Do not include personal information in your password that is easy to guess - your partner's name, your parents' name, your date of birth, phone number, favorite color, etc.
- Make sure that your password is a little complex - it should be a combination of upper case and lower case with letters, symbols, and numbers.
- Do not ever use words that are from a dictionary.
- Never use the same password, irrespective of how strong it is, for multiple or all your accounts. This would mean that a data breach in one account could give access to all your accounts.
So, these, according to us, are the top 6 tips that you need to keep in mind when shopping online. If you have any questions or queries, do let us know about it in the comment section below.