Internet shopping is one of the widely and commonly used mediums for convenient shopping. It is in fact, a popular means of is shopping in the Internet community (Bourlakis et al., 2008). Online shopping is increasing day by day, whether it’s for clothes, electronics, or, even, pets. Many websites are opening every day just to cater to this rising demand for comfort and convenience. Online shopping is fast becoming the way to make all your purchases, whether you’re at home or in the office, or in a different country. This is especially true for developed countries, where every store has its own website that you can buy online from. Tricks of the trade like cash on delivery and special discounts on online purchases have been able to convery people very easily.
Recent studies show that nearly 51% of purchases are made online. This percentage continues to increase year after year. This increase in online shopping has also made it easy for cyber criminals to take advantage of unsuspecting shoppers.
Online shopping is convenient and easy, which is why more and more people are turning to this alternative rather than facing the crowds in the stores. More than that, you can research items, read reviews and score the best deals. However, there is a dark side to online commerce. Home Telecom highlights the do’s and don’ts of online shopping this holiday season.
- DO – Shop from home. Hackers can easily access public Wi-Fi connections, which means it is safer to make purchases from home than from your favorite coffee shop. Avoid making purchases while connected to airports, hotels or other public hot spots.
- DON’T – Social Networking Sites Deals. Do not trust these types of deals, as most URLs are shortened on social media sites. That means you will not know if you are clicking on a legitimate or fraudulent website. You can use these deals as tips but go directly to the retailer’s site to check for bargains.
- DO – Download an Anti-Phishing Toolbar. If you have not invested in an Anti-Phishing toolbar, consider downloading one. These will help identify fraudulent websites. Many of these toolbars are free.
- DON’T – Use your business or personal email addresses. Consider setting up a separate email address for retailers. You can still review any coupons or offers they send you, but it is much easier if this address is hacked than dealing with your business or personal emails.
- DO – Select sellers. Most people use a search engine to find a specific item. However, statistics show that approximately three results per search engine page are fraudulent sites looking to steal your personal information. Head directly to retailer’s websites or use convenient price-comparison sites. Always check for the https:// in the URL to guarantee your information is transmitted privately. Never make a purchase from a site unless it has an SSL certificate.
- DON’T – Be a Victim of Bogus Scams. If an individual or website offers a deal that is too good to be true, it likely is. Scam sites may ask you to enter credit card information or directly transfer funds. These often appear in unsolicited emails. Even if the email appears to be from a legitimate retailer, go directly to their site to peruse deals instead of clicking email links.
- DO – Pay with credit cards. Never use debit card information online. Most of these cards require that fraudulent purchases be reported within two days to obtain the $50 limit liability that is standard with credit cards. If two days pass you by, you can report your loss, but you are limited to 60 days, and your liability is $500. Banks can change these rules, but if possible, use a credit card when making online purchases.
- DON’T – Wire money to sellers. Even if you purchase an item from an auction site, never wire money for payment. There is no way you can get your money back if the auction is fraudulent. Always pay with a credit card so you can dispute fraudulent charges.
- DO – Always check credit card bills. Review credit card accounts regularly or sign up for your credit card to email or text you all purchases or authorizations. Put online receipts in a separate email folder, so you can easily crosscheck amounts.
- DON’T – Provide excess information. A retailer often asks for your name, address, phone number and credit card number. However, you should never give out your driver’s license number, social security number or bank routing numbers. If any site asks for this information, it is likely fraudulent.
- DO – Shop using your tablet or Smart Phone. Before downloading shopping apps, confirm what access they have to other information on your phone. Select apps that require less permission. If your tablet or Smart Phone asks to remember passwords, always select “no.” If you lose your phone, someone will have access to all your saved credit card information.
- DON’T – Fall for gift card scams. If you receive an email that claims you can receive a gift card and requests your credit card or banking information, delete it. Legitimate retailers will never ask for this type of information.
When shopping online, it is better to be safe than sorry. If you follow these helpful tips, you’ll greatly decrease your chances of becoming a victim of online fraud. Happy Shopping!
Convenient to your door delivery, multiple product reviews at your fingertips, and the promise of grabbing that sale without having to compete in an Olympic-sport-like wrestling match for the last of this season’s hottest item? It’s no wonder more people are choosing to do their holiday shopping online.
But with large data breaches on the rise, like the recent breaches in security with Equifax and Uber, consumers have the right to be concerned about the safety of their information once it hits the internet.
So what are some steps online shoppers can take to help safeguard their data and protect against theft? We asked our Capitol cybersecurity professors for their thoughts:
- DO: Use a card that has a good dispute resolution process.
American Express, from what I hear, is one of the best – if you dispute something, they’ll reverse it. Some people have a card that they use specifically for online shopping, so that if there’s a dispute on the charge, they don’t have to go through a lot of rigmarole.
- DON’T: Use websites that want to store your credit card information.
If you have the option, don’t store your credit card information, unless you really like that convenience, because that’s where most of them are getting compromised during the breaches. It’s convenient to store your credit cards on the websites you use the most, but then again that’s where the compromises have happened. With sites like Uber, and others that didn’t report breeches, people’s credit card numbers are out there.
- DO: shop online without fear.
Retailers do their best to protect purchases and the probability of compromise is low given the amount of companies and sales during this season
- DON’T: shop online by clicking on links in emails.
Browse directly to the retailers you want to visit to avoid phishing attempts. Yes, your coupon will still apply.
Professor Rick Hansen, cybersecurity program, Cyber Battle Team Coach
- DO: Always look for the picture of a lock when you’re shopping online.
It signifies a secure site. If you’ve never been to the site before, click on that lock in order to find out more about the site’s security. When you go to the shopping cart, you’ll see that lock. It ensures that you’re on a site that has secure transmissions. If you’ve never been there before, or if it looks sketchy, you can click on the lock and find out more about the connection.
- DON’T: Click on the links if you receive an e-mail that looks legitimate but is from someone you don’t know.
Most of the time you can hover over the links and see what URLs they actually go to. Say you get an e-mail that looks like it’s telling you about a special offer on Amazon. Don’t necessarily assume it’s really from Amazon – check the identity of the sender. You can do this, on many e-mail clients, with a right mouse click and see what the name is. Sometimes you’ll get sent a link that’s tagged “Amazon.com” but when you investigate the link, you see that it’s actually going to Bob’s Towing.
Who has the time to go shopping? Walking around, checking each store you pass by… it’s only fun during the first few hours. Everything now is online. You can practically buy anything from concert tickets to food and groceries. With just a few clicks, you can have whatever you want.
However, because online shopping is already prevalent, some people can’t help but take advantage of this man-made necessity. Whether it’s because of putting up false advertisements or scamming people online, online shopping is not always a walk in the park.
If it’s your first time to shop online, be extra careful. It doesn’t always start amazing. As an added measure, check out the dos and don’ts of online shopping below.
DO check reviews
You can’t always rely on pictures. Pictures can be faked. Before making a purchase, make sure to read the reviews first and be critical. People have different experiences, but it’s good to take other people’s testimonies into consideration.
DO check specifications
Make sure to check for the descriptions, measurements, etc. Check the specs. Sometimes it looks like it’s something you need or want but it won’t actually fit you.
DO “window shop” first for the best price and reviews
Just like what you would do with physical stores, you also need to window shop online before making a purchase. Compare prices, specifications, reviews, made, etc. Only buy when you are already satisfied with the item you are about to purchase.
DO read and comprehend
The sellers usually put everything on the product or service description and it’s up to the customers to read and comprehend. It is important that we read and understand everything to know what we’re getting before we buy.
DO consider on hand availability
If there’s one thing you need for online shopping, it is patience. Shipping takes time, especially if the product you will buy is outside the country. You’re lucky if you get your order within a month. Some merchandise, especially if pre-order, take months before they arrive at your doorstep. Consider buying items that are on hand. It’s also a plus if they can provide actual pictures.
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DON’T pester the shop for updates
Remember that you are not the only customer they have. They will provide the necessary updates. If they don’t deliver as promised, then you can ask them questions. But avoid asking too frequently. Learn the art of holding back.
DON’T be a joy reserver
Joy reservers are kind of like those customers who always add to cart but never checks out. The only difference is that shops usually encounter joy reservers on pre-ordered products. They make an order but they don’t pay the fees. It causes a lot of headaches because sellers order from suppliers in advance. It creates a domino effect. If you know you don’t have money to pay for something you saw online, then don’t place an order.
DON’T cancel especially if COD
Some customers like making orders but when they receive the package, they refuse to pay. We don’t know why but it happens a lot, especially during the holidays. Please don’t do this. Not only will it be costly for the shops but it’s also tedious and tiring for the couriers. Again, if you don’t have the money to pay, then don’t order.
If it’s your first time to shop online, be extra careful. It doesn’t always start amazing. As an added measure, check out the dos and don’ts of online shopping above.
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