Online Shopping
Online shopping has become a popular way to purchase everything from clothing and shoes to furniture and appliances. There are no traffic and crowds to contend with and it’s convenient. Shop when you want, instead of when a store is open. Additional benefits of shopping online include the ease of price comparisons and reviews by other shoppers about products and online merchants. However, the Internet has unique risks, so it is important to take steps to protect yourself when shopping online.
- Tune up your defenses.
- Keep software, particularly your web browser, up to date.
- Check sellers out.
- Buy safely.
- Take advantage of security features.
- Protect your personal information.
- Use safe payment options.
- Keep a paper trail.
- Turn your computer off when you’re finished shopping.
- Be wary of emails requesting information.
Tune up your defenses. Before you make forays into online shopping, make sure you have the core protections—firewall, anti-virus and anti-spyware—installed and updated with the most current information from your security software provider. It is especially important to check the settings for software that connects to the Internet (browsers, email clients, etc.). Apply the highest level of security available that still gives you the functionality you need (doesn’t overly restrict your surfing). Top of page.
Keep software, particularly your web browser, up to date. Install software updates as they become available so that attackers cannot take advantage of known problems or vulnerabilities. Many operating systems offer automatic updates. If this option is available, you should enable it. Top of page.
Check sellers out. Conduct independent research before you buy from a seller you have never done business with. Some attackers may try to trick you by creating malicious web sites that appear to be legitimate, so you should verify the legitimacy before supplying any information. Locate and note phone numbers and physical addresses of vendors in case there is a problem with your transaction or your bill. Search for merchant reviews either using price comparison websites or by typing the merchant’s name and review into your favorite search engine to see what other consumers and media have said about merchants. Top of page.
Buy safely. When you’re ready to buy something and before you enter your personal and financial information, look for signs that the site is secure, such as a closed padlock on the browser’s status bar. When you’re asked to provide payment information, the beginning of the Web site’s URL address should change from http to shttp or https, indicating that the purchase is encrypted or secured. Don’t use unsecured wireless networks. Check out this tutorial for more info. Top of page.
Take advantage of security features. Passwords and other security features add layers of protection if used appropriately. In a rush to complete a transaction with a new vendor it is tempting to just create a simple password that you won’t forget. It is not hard to create complex and easily remembered passwords. Learn more about safe password practices. Top of page.
Protect your personal information. When making a purchase online, be alert to the kinds of information being collected to complete the transaction and make sure you think it is necessary for the vendor to request that information. Remember, you only need to fill out required fields on a vendors checkout form. Before providing personal or financial information, check the web site's privacy policy. Make sure you understand how your information will be stored and used. Top of page.
Use safe payment options. Credit cards are generally the safest option because they allow buyers to seek a credit from the issuer if the product isn’t delivered or isn’t what was ordered. Also, unlike debit cards, credit cards may have a limit on the monetary amount you will be responsible for paying if your information is stolen and used by someone else. Never send cash through the mail or use a money-wiring service because you’ll have no recourse if something goes wrong. Don’t forget to review return policies. You want a no hassle ability to return items. Top of page.
Keep a paper trail. Print and save records of your online transactions, including the product description, price, online receipt, terms of the sale, and copies of any email exchange with the seller. Read your credit card statements as soon as you get them to make sure there aren’t any unauthorized charges. If there is a discrepancy, report it immediately. Top of page.
Turn your computer off when you’re finished shopping. Many people leave their computers running and connected to the Internet 24/7. This is a dream scenario for scammers who want to install malicious software on your machine and then control it remotely to commit cyber crimes, such as spamming and phishing. To be extra safe, switch off your computer when you are not using it. Top of page.
Be wary of emails requesting information. Attackers may attempt to gather information by sending emails requesting that you confirm purchase or account information. Legitimate businesses will not solicit this type of information through email. Don’t hesitate to call the merchant directly if you are alerted to a problem. Top of page.
Learn more about shopping online safety at:
OnGuardOnline—The Federal Trade Commission's website
US CERT—United State Computer Emergency Response Team, part of the Department of Homeland Security