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Cyber Monday 2016 is expected to be the biggest shopping day we’ve ever seen. And Cyber Monday security should be at the top of your wish list.
This year’s record estimate of $3.6 billion in total online sales for Cyber Monday, according to Forbes, is great news for retailers but it also makes the day prime territory for all the cyber criminals lurking on the Internet.
How can you make sure you’re confident about your transaction before hitting that “Buy Now” button? Here is ENTITY’s list of five ways to shop safe on Cyber Monday.
Don’t have unprotected shopping. Before you start buying, start updating! Since all of your transactions will take place online, it’s crucial to get or update your anti-virus software to keep those digital thieves off of your screen.
Even if your anti-virus software is all up to date, proceed with caution. These crooks have other creative ways of scamming you. Better Business Bureau (BBB) recommends that “your computer should have the most recent updates installed for spam filters, anti-virus and anti-spyware software, and a secure firewall.”
You’ve heard it before: make a different password for each account. Yet with all the online shopping you’re doing on Cyber Monday, those unique passwords will start to add up and may make this task seem incredibly tedious.
However, remember how much secure information you give to each website. From your credit card number to your home address, a person can know a lot from a few simple accounts you make for your favorite stores. How easy would it be for a hacker to steal your identity once they guess “password123” the first time?
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Did you know that a URL is oozing with criminal possibility? Make sure the website you are buying from directs you to a secure, encrypted website. How do you know? Simply check for the “S.” Trusted sites will have a “HTTPS://” URL for inputting sensitive information, according to BBB.
Also, be wary of any spelling changes, extra words or typos in the URL. This is a common trick hackers use to convince a fast-paced buyer that they’re at the right place, causing them to shop on a fake site.
Reputation is everything. While most of us steer clear of sketchy sites, the most trusted online brands may not have the best Cyber Monday security either. Computer World points out a study from LastPass that listed the most and least secure eRetailers. The research used six criteria, such as a two-factor authentication, to determine the password security of each of these online retailers.
The results? QVC, Apple and Victoria’s Secret earned a pat on the back while Amazon, Walmart and Wayfair received a disappointing glance. Yet take the verdict with a grain of salt – many safe transactions happen on all of these sites. Just don’t be naive and think you can trust all the big name brands for a trust fall!
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A website may not be entirely truthful about when (or if) they are sending the product, so keep an eye on the expected delivery date. When no date is listed a seller is required by law to ship your items in 30 days, according to BBB. If your gift doesn’t come in time for the holidays, cancel your order and demand a refund!
Also, scammers have been known to follow delivery trucks and steal packages left on doorsteps. Keep your gifts away from crooks by arranging a safer delivery address, whether it is at work, a friend’s house or the Post Office.
Once you’ve checked off all of the items on your security list, focus on the fun part: shopping! There are some attractive deals this Cyber Monday all over the web, including Amazon and Victoria’
Whatever avenue of online shopping you choose, keep these five tips in mind before confirming your purchase. If you approach your computer prepared on Cyber Monday, no Internet criminal will hack your holiday spirit!
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