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Before You Start Shopping Online, Have These Ten Security Hacks In Mind

Online shopping has become the order of the day as it means convenience and reduced contact in a COVID-19 pandemic period, thus, making security tips like these important. With this innovative virtual way of shopping, there are risks that you should be aware of.

 

In this article, you will see ten ways you can keep your money and privacy away from cybercriminals. While you can never be completely safe from risks so long as you conduct transactions online; the tips below will reduce the chances of you becoming a victim.

 

1. Make sure that the vendor you are buying from is legit and not just a fraudster. There are many tips that give fake vendors away. For a start, look out for a strange selection of brands (is the person selling items that do not relate to one another). For example, if a vendor sells shoes, clothes, cars, and land, you should avoid them. There are many other ways to find out if a vendor is legit, you can ask friends about them as well.

 

2. If you are buying from a website, ensure that the website is secure. Look for the security lock sign that precedes the URL.

 

3. Even when buying from trusted sites like Konga, Jumia, or Amazon, it is better to use their mobile apps than using your PC to access their website. This is because mobile apps have fewer security lapses than hackers can exploit when you use your PC.

 

Before You Start Shopping Online, Have These Ten Security Hacks In Mind
Shopping online with a mobile app such as Konga will not undermine your security.
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4. When you are using a public Wi-fi, do not make transactions online. This is because anyone with a particular skill set can be monitoring activities on a public insecure network.

 

5. If you are a seasoned online shopper, it will be wise to monitor your bank account. This will allow you to notice if there have been unauthorised transactions and with this information, you can quickly notify your bank.

 

6. Also, if you are not really sure about the vendor you are engaged with, always choose the pay on delivery option. With this, you can confirm if what you ordered is what you get before paying.

 

7. Never buy from links in spam or phishing emails. These are unsolicited emails and messages that you just find in your inbox. No matter how convincing the message looks, don’t click the link and don’t buy using it.

 

8. When you are doing business with social media vendors especially, make sure to note down details of the transaction. Such things as bank account details, the amount paid, dates, items bought, and so on will play an important role if you have to make a case later.

 

Before You Start Shopping Online, Have These Ten Security Hacks In Mind
Social media vendors are becoming popular means of exploiting online shoppers and undermining their security.

 

9. Be mindful of the information you are giving to online vendors. Some aim to know just enough about people to target them with other means of attacks.

 

10. Lastly, keep up to date with security tips. This is because, the means of attacks online keep changing and as a shopper, you need to know the latest ones and how to avoid them.

 

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Onwuasoanya Obinna

A reader of books and stringer of words. Passionate about Science and Tech. When not writing or reading he is surfing the web and Tweeting.

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