Tips For A Safer Online Shopping Experience

While there’s no doubt online shopping is a very convenient way to get those names crossed off your gift shopping list, you need to keep in mind there are people who want to scam you in cyberspace as well. That said, we want you to make your online shopping a safe and enjoyable experience. We have put together a short list of tips to keep your online experience safer.

1. Avoid public computers or shared devices: It’s best not to use public computers or shared devices to make purchases as you don’t know if they are secure or if they have malware or keyloggers that can steal your personal information.
2. Avoid open WiFi connections: eg. Coffee shops, hotels etc. Unless you have a Virtual Private Network(VPN) connection eg. NordVPN
3. Always look for the little padlock or “https” in the browser URL bar.
4. Shop from reputable websites: Make sure you are shopping from a trusted and established website that uses encryption to protect your personal information. You can check a website here.
5. Use two-factor authentication if offered: Enable two-factor authentication for your accounts, so that even if someone obtains your login credentials, they will need an additional code to access your account
6. Don’t overshare personal information: Only provide the necessary information required to complete your purchase. Be cautious about giving out your social security number, driver’s license, or other sensitive information.
7. Use strong and unique passwords for your online accounts and change them frequently.
8. Keep your software up to date: Keep your computer, web browser, and antivirus software up-to-date to ensure you have the latest security patches.
9. Be wary of emails or messages from people you do not know, that ask you to click on links, download attachments, or provide personal information. The attachments could be links to malicious viruses or the links could be phishing attempts that scammers often use to trick you into revealing your personal information. Tip: Hover over the link with your mouse, but don’t click. At the bottom left of your browser, a small box will appear with the link URL. If the link is from a site you know is safe or from a site you ordered something from then it should be okay eg. example.com or ****.example.com or example.com/***. Be careful sometimes they try and fool you by changing it slightly eg. examples.com
10. Check the privacy policy: Check the website’s privacy policy to see how your information will be used and protected.
11. Use a credit card instead of a debit card for online purchases, as credit cards offer more protection against fraud.
12. Check your bank and credit card statements regularly to make sure there are no unauthorized charges.

By following these tips, you can help ensure that your online shopping experience is not only convenient but also safer and more secure.

Remember, our checkout is safe and secure and is an integral part of our overall dedication to your 100% satisfaction, during the holidays and any other time of the year.

Support your local businesses, like our Gift Shop. Supporting local businesses supports your community.