There are so many ways to splash out online these days, in many cases it’s more convenient and easier to buy online than in a store. However, the risk of online fraud is out there, so make sure you take steps to protect your identity. Here are some simple ways that you can protect yourself when you buy online.
Use Strong, Unique Credentials
When you sign up to sites, you might be tempted to use the same logins as you use elsewhere as it’s easier to remember. This isn’t a good idea though, as if one of your accounts becomes compromised then the rest could be too.
Making sure your credentials are unique is great, but make sure they’re strong too. Use special characters, capital letters and unrelated words to create your password. For example, your child’s name would be a much easier password to guess than a random mix of numbers.
Connect Securely
When you connect to a site, you want to make sure that you’ve got a safe connection to them. This will protect you when it comes to sharing your information with them. Check that they have secure access by checking the padlock in the URL bar.
You should also use a private, secure Wi-Fi connection to get onto the site. Public connections can be comprised, so if in doubt make sure you’re going private.
Use Secure Payments
If you plan to pay or share information online, then make sure the site takes your security seriously. If they have additional security, like the verification of cognito.com, then you can rest assured they’ve got extra measures in place. These best practice additions really make a difference to how secure your data is.
Check your Bank Statements
Don’t let online fraud happen without checking in on it, as this will allow it to run rampant. Check your bank statements often and keep an eye out for any suspicious transactions. If you do spot anything untoward then you can quickly act on it before it becomes a wider issue.
Most banks will be able to prevent or protect against fraud, they’re your best allies if you think that there’s something going on with your account.
Be Careful with Emails
Phishing scams and dodgy emails are rampant in today’s world, so you need to keep your wits about you. While these emails might look authentic, you should be careful as to what you click on. Some can even have pages made up that look like an authentic login from a service, but actually they just collect your data to hack into your account.
If in doubt, make sure you go to a site directly instead of using a link in an email. Check the sender and report the email if you think that it may have been sent fraudulently.
There’s a whole world online these days, so you should feel open to using it. Just keep your security in mind when you provide your information and you won’t need to worry.
