Black Friday and Cyber Monday are coming up quickly, and that means it’s a great time to snag some of the best deals of the year. If you’re planning to shop Cyber Monday, chances are that you’re hoping to get some great online deals. However, if you’re not smart about Cyber Monday shopping, you could end up with security risks. Here are six tips you can use to shop more safely when you shop on Cyber Monday.
1. Make Sure Your Browser Is as Up to Date as Possible
First and foremost, before you start shopping, you’ll want to make sure you’ve updated your browser. It’s true that it can be a little annoying to have to restart your browser, but modern browsers typically save your current tabs and will reopen them once you open the browser again. Updating your browser allows you to get the most recent safety patches, which can let you browse with more certainty.
2. Learn To Spot Questionable Deals
This is more about not getting scammed rather than having your credit card information stolen, but it’s important to remember that either one can happen if you take advantage of deals that are too good to be true. It’s true that many companies will offer doorbusters, or huge deals that they actually lose money on, in an attempt to bring in buyers who will purchase other items. However, these doorbusters are typically not big-ticket items, so be wary of any big-ticket items being offered at super-low prices.
3. Watch Out for Phishing Attempts
Phishing is always going to be a problem online. This is an attempt by a scammer to impersonate a well-known brand. For example, a scammer may be able to get the website “Walmart.ru” instead of “Walmart.com,” which you might just assume is a secondary website for the legitimate Walmart brand. If you’re ever in doubt, make sure you type the URL into your browser yourself, as it’s the only way to make sure you’re on the real site.
4. Check for SSL Certificates
SSL, or Secure Sockets Layer, is the standard technology for making sure that an internet connection is secure. You may also see these certificates listed as TLS, or Transport Layer Security, which is a more updated version. Websites verify their identity and pay for an SSL or TLS certificate to make sure the connection is safe and they are who they say they are. Their website URL will begin with HTTPS if they have an SSL or TLS certificate.
5. Use a Credit Card Over a Debit Card
It’s often a good idea to use a credit card to shop online rather than a debit card. This is because most credit cards have better security features guarding against fraud. If someone steals your credit card number and puts a fraudulent charge on it, you’re more likely to get that charge credited back to your account extremely quickly, whereas a fraudulent charge on a debit card may be more difficult to track down or may be a lost cause altogether.
6. Keep an Eye Out for Phone Scams
While you might think more about online scams than phone scams during Cyber Monday, these phone calls won’t stop during the Thanksgiving season. This is especially true because you might enter some giveaways and sweepstakes during the Thanksgiving season, making it easier for scammers to target you with fake giveaway winnings. This is where IdentityWatch by PeopleFinders can help you.
IdentityWatch, the free mobile app from PeopleFinders, is a great way to monitor and secure your personal data. Plus, it’ll help you avoid scam calls both during the Thanksgiving season and year-round. With IdentityWatch, you don’t have to worry about accidentally picking up on a scam call. You can only take the calls that are actually important.
Conclusion
Shopping safely online is something you should think about year-round, but it’s especially important to think about it during Cyber Monday. With a bit of help from all areas, including PeopleFinders, you can make sure your Cyber Monday deals are all genuine and don’t put you at risk. Everyone deserves a great deal, and these tips will help you get that deal more easily.
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