Tips for online shopping
Here are a few tips to help you stay safe on the web and enjoy your holiday online shopping.
Beware the Lure of the Link
Firefox 3 contains built-in phishing and malware protection to help keep you safe online. These features will warn you when a page you visit has been reported as a Web Forgery of a legitimate site (sometimes called “phishing” pages) or as an Attack Site designed to harm your computer.
However, you should still be careful when clicking on links or responding to emails:
- A reputable company should never ask you to submit password, social security, bank account numbers, or other sensitive information through email.
- If you get an email asking you to sign in to verify information, don’t click on the link. Instead, open a separate browser window and go to the site directly.
Stay Up To Date
If your Web browser is not updated regularly, you could be vulnerable to attacks. It’s simple to make sure your Firefox is up-to-date: just click on Help - Check for Updates.
Charge It!
Many credit cards companies go to great lengths to protect you from fraud. They generally have lots of consumer protections built in. Doing all your online shopping with a credit card is not only the simplest way to shop, but it also makes dispute resolution less painful. Know your credit card company’s policy on fraud - many have limits on the timeframe you have to report fraudulent charges.
Be Vigilant
Check credit card statements often to catch fraudulent charges early. Don't ignore small charges! Attackers may make them to verify that a credit card works before charging much larger amounts.
Check for the S and verify identity
One simple trick you can use to help protect your personal information is to make sure that the site where you’re shopping is a secure site – if the URL begins with HTTPS instead of a simple HTTP that means it’s a secure connection. Also, click on the site icon for an instant identity overview. It does not, however, ensure that the vendor is legitimate. Which brings us to our next point.
Stay in Well Lit Areas
Just like walking around at night – stay in areas you trust when you’re planning to give out your personal information. Make sure you know who you are giving your information to – use vendors who have strong reputations.
