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Online shoppers are a favourite target of cyber-criminals, and you could be putting yourself at risk and not even know it. To help you avoid potential threats when you shop online, we’re providing some fundamental tips that you can employ right away.

Shop Carefully

When you shop online, choose sites that have been tested and have a solid reputation. Sites like Amazon and eBay have stood the test of time and are generally pretty safe to use. But there are some new sites out there that are nothing but scams.

Always Use a Credit Card

When shopping online, you should always use a credit card for your purchase. By using a credit card, you are protected by the Fair Credit Billing Act. If anything goes wrong with your purchase, you can dispute the charge and be refunded.

Only Provide Enough Details to Complete Your Purchase

The last step in your online shopping safety is to only provide enough details to complete your purchase. This could be your email, phone number, or billing address. Any unnecessary information could be retrieved and used to steal your identity.

Keep Your Accounts Secure

When you set up an account, you need to make sure that the password is secure. This means using a mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols. When these are used, it makes the password more difficult to hack.

It’s also important to remember not to use the same password for all your accounts. If one gets hacked, then they all could be compromised. Lastly, try using a two-step verification system for added security.

Watch Out for Suspicious Emails, Text Messages, and Websites

If you’re shopping online, you’ll sometimes receive a suspicious message. For example, you may get an email from a company saying that your account has been suspended and that you need to click on the link for more information.

Or, if you’ve signed up for an online store’s newsletter and they send out an email asking you to update your account, it could be a scam. Suspicious emails, text messages, and websites can lead to identity theft or financial fraud.

Contact Proximitum

It’s important to learn how to identify these scams and other potential threats. Furthermore, it’s always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to protecting your personal information online.