The modern internet allows us to do all manner of things. We can chat to one another, enjoy streaming videos, play games, book tables at restaurants, or learn to cook at home.
Of course, online shopping is among the most impressive miracles afforded to us by the modern internet. Through it, we can engage with small retailers from around the world, and get packages delivered right to our front doors.
But online shopping brings with it a degree of risk. If you’re going to get the most from it, you’ll need to take steps to minimize this risk. So, what might these steps be?
Choose Trusted, Secure Retailers & Websites
First, you’ll want to ensure that you deal only with reliable retailers. If the retailer isn’t familiar to you, then check online reviews and recommendations. At a bare minimum, you should ensure that you’re submitting details to a website that uses the encrypted version of the Hypertext Transfer Protocol. In most browsers, this will be evident from the small padlock icon in the URL bar – although often a site that isn’t properly encrypted will be blocked entirely.
Secure Your Connection — Avoid Risks on Public Wi-Fi
If you’re going to be connecting via a public Wi-Fi network, then you’ll need to be aware of the danger of Man-in-the-Middle attacks, and other tactics employed by cybercriminals. Make sure that the network you’re connecting to is genuine, and that you’re taking appropriate precautions to safeguard the data you’re sending. A VPN Chrome extension can reduce your exposure significantly.
Use Strong Account Security & Safe Payment Methods
If your accounts are being protected only by very weak passwords, then you run the risk that someone will successfully guess them. This could expose your home address, your shopping history, and even your payment information.
You can get around this problem with the help of a good password manager, and by using two-factor authentication. It’s also worth being vigilant against phishing attacks – fake websites, increasingly, are becoming indistinguishable from the real thing.
Of course, any unsolicited communication, whether it’s via email, WhatsApp, or text, should be treated with suspicion. As a habit, navigate to your preferred shopping platform directly, rather than clicking on links you’ve been sent via email.
Consider Privacy Tools — Encryption, VPNs, and Data-Protection Measures
We’ve already mentioned the power of encryption and Virtual Private Networks. But you might also acquaint yourself with the privacy-enhancing settings available within your browser. A little bit of tinkering can often lead to big security gains!
