Here are some of the steps to take to stay safe as you shop online
While online shopping is a common practice nowadays, it’s still important to think about your safety. During the holiday season, cyber criminals are more aggressive in their attempts to steal your financial or other personal information. To protect yourself, here are some of the suggestions to keep in mind.
- Only Shop Websites and Companies That You Trust
Now is not the time to be exploring retailers you’ve never heard about. While it’s fine to try out a new store in person, things are riskier online. This is because cyber criminals can actually create fake websites that look like they belong to legitimate retailers. These sites are used to steal payment and other personal details without you even noticing. To avoid falling into these traps, stick to trusted sites and retailers when you browse online.
- Avoid Using Public Wi-Fi Networks
Never shop online while connected to a public Wi-Fi network. These networks have little security safeguards in place, and it is easy for other people connected to the open network to intercept the information you are inputting. A good rule of thumb: never log into an account or input personal information while you are connected to public Wi-Fi.
- Shop Using Gift Cards
Finally, protect your bank account by doing your online shopping with pre-paid gift cards. This way, if a hacker gains access to one of your accounts, they only get the payment information for the card. While you might lose whatever money you have remaining on the card, this is still preferable to a criminal gaining free access to your credit card or bank account.
These are some of the precautions you should take to stay safe while shopping online. Want another way to protect yourself this holiday season? Make sure you have the proper personal insurance protections in place. For assistance with all your coverage needs, contact the experts at Weaver & Associates in Arcadia, California to get started today.
