Be Safe During The Holiday Season
Tips to Safe Online Shopping
While Internet scams and cyber criminals flourish, that doesn’t necessarily mean you need to avoid online shopping altogether. Safe online shopping is indeed possible, provided you take the proper precautions and follow important Internet security tips.
For the most part, online shopping is actually a very safe activity. It’s individuals themselves, and their Internet and online shopping habits, that make it unsafe. And that is exactly what cyber criminals are relying upon.
Internet security tips — for safer online shopping
Even though search engines are very useful when you’re looking for products, reviews, or price comparisons, you run the risk of unintentionally clicking on ‘poisoned’ search results that could lead you to malware instead of your intended destination. Malware has the potential to wreak havoc on your computer, or steal your usernames and passwords to your online accounts. Regardless of what type of malware it is, you certainly don’t want it infecting your computer.
So how do you avoid these poisoned search results that are created by cybercriminals? You can use tools such as Kaspersky’s URL Advisor — or third-party browser add-ons, such as Web of Trust. These can help prevent you from clicking on poisoned links and entering malicious websites. You can also follow the next Internet security tip for safe online shopping…
Scammers who send phishing emails rely on you to click on the link in the email to be taken to a retailer’s ‘website’. Likewise, with links on poisoned search results. However, those links actually lead you to cleverly designed lookalike websites. So when you think you are putting your username and info in Amazon’s website, you are actually giving it to a cyber criminal.
So, to make sure you are going to the actual, authentic retailer’s website, it’s much safer to type the retailer’s URL into the address bar on your web browser. It may take a little more effort, but this simple action can help to prevent you visiting a fake or malicious website.
Use a dedicated email address
In a similar fashion to creating a ‘clean’ computer, you can do the same with an email address. Create an email address that you will use only for online shopping. This will severely limit the amount of spam messages you receive and significantly reduce the risk of opening potentially malicious emails that are disguised as sales promotions or other notifications.
As an example, if you use your dedicated online shopping email for Amazon.com, but receive a message from Amazon in your primary email account notifying you of an issue with an order or your Amazon.com account, there is a good chance it is a fake or malicious message sent by cyber criminals.
Using strong passwords and using a different password for each online account is one of the most important things you can do for safe online shopping. We know it can be difficult to remember so many different passwords, especially when they are comprised of numerous letters, numbers, and special characters. But you can use a password manager to aid you in keeping strong passwords for multiple accounts.
Avoid using public Wi-Fi to log in to online accounts
Coffee shops, hotels, restaurants, and other public areas often provide free Wi-Fi. This can be useful for checking email, messages, browsing the Internet, and other online activities. But using public Wi-Fi to sign in to a private account is a big security risk.
Savvy hackers could be hijacking the Wi-Fi signal, or even setting up their own to trick you into using it. And they can see everything you do on your own mobile device or laptop. That means if you sign in to an online banking account or retailer website, the hacker will acquire your username and password.
It’s also important to be aware of using public Wi-Fi in retail brick and mortar stores. For example, when you’re in a shopping mall — about to make a purchase — it is understandable that you might want to check some online e-tailer websites to see if they are offering better deals. But cybercriminals are counting on this and can intercept your data and capture your passwords, login details and financial information. If you need to access the Internet when you’re out shopping, it’s safer to do so via your mobile phone network.
Look for the padlock. Look for HTTPS
Check the website’s URL for “HTTPS” and a padlock symbol in the address bar. This indicates that the website encrypts your data, making it difficult for hackers to intercept and steal your information. Avoid websites with only “HTTP,” as they lack the essential security protocols.
Regularly Check Your Statements
Frequently review your bank and credit card statements to identify any unauthorized or suspicious charges. The sooner you catch and report such issues, the better your chances of resolving them.
Keep Software Updated
Ensure that your device’s operating system, web browser, and antivirus software are up to date. Updates often include security patches to protect against the latest threats.
End of Windows 10
Windows 10 launched in 2015 and had a good ten-year run, but on October 14, 2025 Microsoft is set to pull the plug on it and stop issuing new support patches and security updates.
That’s significant because once that Windows 10 end of life deadline happens, everyone still using Windows 10 PCs will become increasingly vulnerable to malware. Keeping your PC off the Internet will help protect you, but most of us can’t afford that luxury these days.
If you’re still using Windows 10 right now, don’t worry — it’s not going to suddenly stop working, and neither is your PC. But you do need to seriously think about what you want to do, because staying on Windows 10 without support from Microsoft is risky.