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These 8 secure online shopping tips are so simple, your kids can do it

6 min. read

Updated onNovember 8, 2023

updated onNovember 8, 2023

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Have you beenshopping onlinelately from your Windows PC? Today, we will be giving yousecureonline shoppingtipsto protect you and of course your money.

The world has moved on from shopping physically to virtually, hence, gradually transforming the world into a global virtual market. This gradual transformation has generated safety concern; hence, thesecurityof theonline shoppingprocess betweenonline retailersand online shoppers must be addressed.

However, there have been safety measures implemented byonline retailerssuch as SSL certificate usage and othercyber security options; but we are also concerned about you the online shoppers.

Therefore, in this post, we will give 8 secureonline shoppingtips to increase youronline shoppingsecurity options especially whenshopping apps are not working.

Here are the 8 secure online shopping tips

Update your Operating System, browser, and antivirus software

First of all, you need to update your Windows OS, phone, browser andantivirus software. Microsoft frequently releases OS updates which contain patches that fixes latest threats, orloopholes which hijackers useto penetrate your system.

You can take advantage of Windows updates to improve your PC performance, stability, and functionalities. Updating your phone will also help you avoidrejected transactions on Google Paywhen there’s a compatibility issue.

In addition, outdated web browser is prone to data leakages when youshop online. However, when you update your web browser, it will be able to withstand any penetration attacks from hijackers.

Also, you need to update yourantivirusso as to secure youronline shoppingprocess. You can update Windows Defender a built-inantivirusby Microsoft, or any third-partyantivirusprogram available on your Windows PC. We also recommend that you turn on the protection status on your PC.

Run a full system scan frequently

Well, if you have a goodantiviruson your Windows PC, running frequent system scan will help you system to weed out malware, virus, crapware, and most especiallyspywarefrom your system.

Spywareruns like a normal process on the PC; hackers use it to spy on your browsing activity, browsing history, and even keystroke logs. Keyloggers are example ofspyware; removing them will secureonline shoppingprocess on your PC.

Read Also:Best anti-keylogger software to obliterate keyloggers

Use Strong Passwords

Sometimes, online shoppers use weak passwords such as abc123, password, 123456, “their names”, etc. However, these passwords are easily cracked by hijackers who steal their account information.

Hence, we highly recommend that you use strong passwords for your email address andonline shoppingaccounts.

Read Also:Top 5 Windows 10 Password Managers to Use

Shop on site with the HTTPS://

Secureonline shoppingis only possible on a secured website which has SSL. Secure sockets layer (SSL) certificate is issued to a website which has the encryption layer that prevents hijackers from tampering with information passing to and fro on theonline shoppingwebsite.

You will know a site is secure if the URL for the site start with HTTPS:// instead of just HTTP://. In addition, the icon of a locked padlock will appear in the status bar at the bottom of your Web browser.

Are you buying from a real online shopping site?

Some hackers set up fake or clonedonline shoppingwebsites to deceive unsuspecting online shoppers. Fake online websites can infect your PC withspywares, or even viruses so as to damage your PC.

However, you can carry out WHOIS CheckUp by typing “whois” followed by the URL in search engine’ search bar; this will check if the domain name is registered by the company or an individual. You can also detect a fakeonline shoppingwebsite by using search engines for reviews about theonline shoppingsite.

Read Also: Tech support scammers threaten Windows 10’s security with new tactics

Use secure Internet connections

If you are on a free Wi-Fi connection and you areshopping online, then you may be compromised. Hackers can monitor your Internet activity on an unsecured connection. Information such as emails, addresses, passwords, checkout information, and other personal information can be intercepted.

We know that a free and open wireless connection means a lot to us when online; but, we recommend that you connect to the Internet wirelessly over a virtual private network (VPN) connection. Another option is to connect to the Internet privately by using Dialup Modem.

Read Also:10 best VPN tools for Windows 10

Use a password manager

Believe it or not, you need a password manager so as to secureonline shoppingactivity. Sometimes, online shoppers use the same password for all their accounts such as email address, social media, or evenonline shoppingaccounts; this itself is a major security risk.

Meanwhile, we do recommend that you use different passwords for youronline shoppingaccounts; but constantly remembering too many passwords at the same time is another issue.

However, we do recommend that you use a password manager, so as to ease out the process of secureonline shoppingby generating secure password, and initiate your login details. Some Windows compatible password manager that you can use includePassword Padlock,LastPass, etc.

Don’t give out more private information

One of the best ways to secure youronline shoppingprocess is not to give out more private information than necessary. Someonline shoppingwebsites request for private information such as socialsecuritynumber, or date of birth; however, they do not require this information to deliver your goods.

This private information may contain clues to your email address, ATM pin, and bank account details. We do recommend that you do not give out sensitive information that could be used to violate yourprivacy.

Bonus Tip – Keep a record of your transactions

In addition, you need to check youronline shoppingrecords and compare with your banking records. Sometimes, online shoppers do not remember the items purchased fromonline shoppingsite(s), most especially frequent online shoppers.

Irregularities may occur on a compromised online shopper’s banking account which is not easily noticeable. These irregularities can be fixed by comparing youronline shoppingdetails with the banking records.

Doing this, will enable you to identify the loopholes and resolve the impending issue.

Read Also:8 best personal finance and accounting Software

Drop us a tip

Do you know of any tips which we did not mention above? We would like to hear your suggestions, feedbacks, or tips. Feel free to comment below and we would get back to you.

These 8 secure online shopping tips are so simple, your kids can do it#

Here are the 8 secure online shopping tips#

Update your Operating System, browser, and antivirus software#

Run a full system scan frequently#

Use Strong Passwords#

Shop on site with the HTTPS://#

Are you buying from a real online shopping site?#

Use secure Internet connections#

Use a password manager#

Don’t give out more private information#

Bonus Tip – Keep a record of your transactions#