MANILA, Philippines - More and more people are getting hooked on online shopping. Once you've sampled the convenience, you can’t help but appreciate the comforts of shopping at any time of day, from virtually anywhere – and of course avoiding the queues.
While some still prefer to be able to look, touch and feel a product before buying, we can’t ignore that the World Wide Web offers an impressive variety of goods – some you can’t find in brick and mortar stores – and at better prices, because you can go bargain hunting with just a few clicks of your mouse.
However, some have learned at a painful cost that online shopping can also be unsafe. Identity theft has become an increasingly common occurrence on the Internet, so you must take steps to safeguard your every purchase.
1 Shop at a site that’s reputable.
Just as you would rather shop at a brick and mortar store that’s recognized and established, do the same for online stores that are trustworthy and reputable.
But what if the seller of the item that you want is a small, little-known shop? Do a little investigating of your own. Search online and see what other shoppers have to say about it. If it has a Facebook page, check it out. If you have friends who liked the shop, then get their feedback. Scour the seller’s page for signs of third party approval as well.
2 Shop at a site that’s secure.
An online shop may have a fast loading time or offer fabulous discounts, but if it doesn’t take measures to protect your personal information then it’s in your best interest to avoid it.
A secure website uses a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol; any communication between you and the site will thus be encrypted, maintaining its confidentiality and integrity. You will know that the protocol is active by the “s” after the “http” in the site’s URL. See if this is apparent especially on the web page where you have to input your credit card and other personal information. You should also see a padlock icon either on the address bar or on the lower right corner of the window.
3 Arm your computer with safety measures.
You can never be too safe on the Internet, and your first line of defense is an updated browser. It doesn’t matter whether you use Chrome, Internet Explorer, or Firefox, the important thing is to update your browser constantly to get the latest in security protection.
Next, install filters and malware-protection software. These devices will not only guard you against suspicious websites, they will also steer you away from phishing sites. Such sites have been set up for one objective alone: to steal your money. They do so by stealing personal information from your computer or installing it with malicious software.
Most importantly, make transactions only over a secure Internet connection. It is not advisable to log on to a free Wi-Fi service in a public place and proceed to go on an online shopping spree. This action will make your personal information vulnerable to identity thieves.
4 Think before you click!
As you surf your way through the web, a web page may suddenly pop out offering various products. Remember that legitimate sellers place their ads on credible sites; and such sites ensure that all ads they carry are safe. Clicking on random pop-ups or “too good to be true” offers may lead you to installing malicious software into your computer.
5 Keep and reconcile records.
If you’re fond of online shopping, keep a meticulous record of all your transactions, taking down every detail of the purchase with care. When you receive your account statement, make sure it is aligned with your own record of the transaction. Be vigilant of any charges that you did not make, no matter how small or insignificant. Immediately give your bank or credit card company a heads up as this may be a case of identity theft.
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
