C&M Software Blog How to Secure Your Information While Shopping Online

Purchasing goods and services online has become increasingly more popular with each passing year. Shopping online gives customers a wider variety of items at lower prices, without ever even having to leave their homes. This all sounds great so... why wouldn't everyone want to shop online? Security! Many scams and fraudulent websites appear online requesting sensitive information like date of birth, social security number, and date of birth. Of course shopping online can still be an easy and convenient way to buy what we need, so here are some tips for staying safe while shopping online: 1. Do Your ResearchIf it is your first time visiting and purchasing from a website you have not heard of before, conduct some research to verify that it is a reputable site. Search for and read reviews about the company and look through the comments for positive/negative feedback.2. Double Check the Website AddressOften times scammers will get you to click on an advertisement that looks like something from a real company they are trying to mimic. A recent example of this is an Apple scam where fake emails/texts were sent out to users requesting they login to update their AppleID. Make sure to check and double check the URL and verify you are on the official website. You should also double check when you are typing a website address in yourself, as often times a small typo can land you on a malicious page.3. Careful of Public Wi-FiUsing public Wi-Fi leaves you vulnerable to cybercriminals who can intercept your data to get information like your password, login details, and other sensitive information. If you need to use internet while in a public place, it is safer to do so through your cellular data.4. Look for the HTTPSYour personal information is very valuable, so you want to make sure you are protecting it as much as possible when shopping online. Make sure that you are only entering the information necessary for a purchase like your credit card information, name, and address. If you are being asked for your social security number to make a basic purchase, this could be a red flag. Be sure to look for the https:// and the lock symbol to the left of these characters indicating websites are taking extra measures to keep your information secure. Taking these measures can help ensure a safe and pleasant online shopping experience. In addition to these security features that customer's can take upon themselves, new technologies are rolling out allowing retailers and online websites to authenticate a user's purchase through biometric scans. Users can quickly snap a picture of themselves with their phone to complete a transaction and make safe purchases. Learn more here!