The digital world has revolutionized the shopping experience. Online shopping is such a huge phenomenon that the global online shopping market size metastasized to nearly 4 trillion. In the US, online sales will cross $1 trillion in 2022.The ease and simplicity of online shopping make it a popular choice. However, there is a catch. Online shopping makes you vulnerable to cyberattacks and online fraud.

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According to statistics, nearly 2.14 billion people globally buy products online. The convenience ofonline shopping is unparalleled.However, one cannot ignore the security threats lurking in the digital space. Here are a few tips to ensure you have a safe online shopping experience.

Only Shop from Secure Sites

To have a safe shopping experience, stick to trusted websites with whom you have a prior positive experience.You might think that you are getting an excellent deal on a website you have never shopped from, but do not fall for it. At times, unreliable and unsecured websites offer deals that seem too good to be true to commit fraud and rob people of their money. Here are a couple of ways you can tell if a website is legit.

• Check the URL and make sure it has https instead of http. The ‘s’ stands in https stands for secure.
• If it appears to be a known and trusted brand, make sure the brand name is spelled right in the URL.

Beware of Phishing

Phishing is one of the most common cyber security attacks. According to statistics, nearly 83% of organizations experienced phishing attacks in 2021. Phishing is a type of cyber crime where a hacker or criminal poses as a reputable person or organization to steal information.

If you get an email from a brand or website asking for personal information in exchange for gifts, it might be a phishing attempt. Such emails contain links that contain harmful viruses that can steal information and commit financial fraud.

Install VPN and Antivirus Software

It is best not to use public Wi-Fi connections as they pose a cyber security threat. Nobody can be sure about who is using the network and public Wi-Fi can be used to commit cyber crime.If you have to use one, make sure you have a VPN installed. A VPN prevents your IP address from being visible to hackers and protects against potential threats.Furthermore, all your devices should have antivirus software installed. AV software not only protects against cyber attacks but also can take action to remove viruses and malware from your computer after an attack.

Set Strong Password

Most websites and e-commerce stores require you to log in or create a profile. Make sure you set a strong and unique password for each online profile. A strong password should be at least 10-12 characters long. It should consist of a mix of characters including symbols, lowercase letters, uppercase letters, and numbers.If you have trouble remembering the passwords, use a password manager instead of setting easy-to-guess passwords.

Your online profile may contain housing information, credit card credentials, your number, etc. which may be stolen if the password is too weak to protect your account.

Refrain from Clicking Pop-up Ads

At times, our online browsing behaviors put us at risk. Do not click any pop-ups when you are browsing, no matter how annoying they are.Pop-ups are often phishing attempts to steal personal and financial data.Furthermore, try not to download files from unsecured websites as they might be riddled with viruses.

Keep Customer Service Information Handy

Make sure you have the customer service contact of any brand that you shop from. Go over the refund and exchange policy of the brand. Do not be shy about reaching out to customer service if you have any questions.

In Conclusion

The cyber crime statistics are staggering and leave one concerned about their online browsing experience. Do not be overwhelmed by the numbers, instead focus your energy on correcting your online browsing habits. As long as you follow the tips mentioned in this post,you will be able to enjoy the convenience and comfort of safe online shopping like never before.