It’s easy to do your shopping online in one click, compare offers from the comfort of your couch, and receive your purchases at home without queuing in stores… However, The simplicity of one click to validate a purchase also includes risks of fraud, personal data theft and phishingwhich can turn a pleasant shopping experience into a nightmare. To take full advantage of the benefits of online shopping, it is important to take some precautions to avoid pitfalls and guarantee the security of your transactions. Here are our five practical tips for shopping online safely and with peace of mind.
Tip #1: Make sure e-commerce sites are trustworthy.
Here is the first rule of safe online shopping. Check the reliability of the e-commerce sites you plan to buy from.. A trustworthy site should display legal information, such as a physical address, telephone number, and easily accessible customer service. The legal notice, return policy, and general conditions of sale (CGV) should be easily consulted, as they are important indicators of a site’s transparency and legitimacy.
Additionally, the presence of a security certificate is very important. Depending on your web browser, it’s no longer easy to find the “https” in the address or the small closed padlock in the address bar. These signs are always visible on Mozilla Firefox and Opera, but especially on Chrome, you’ll need to click the icon to the left of the address bar to get this information. In all cases, the data you transmit to the Site must be encrypted and protected from interception. Finally, don’t hesitate to do Check online reviews and make sure the site has a good reputation among other users.by checking on review platforms or through social networks.
Tip #2: Be wary of phishing
Phishing is a fraudulent technique where hackers pose as trusted companies (often e-commerce sites or banks) to trick users into providing their personal and banking information. These phishing attempts usually come in the form of emails or messages that look like official announcements from reputable companies.often asking you to “verify” or “update” your information. Or even incredible price alert emails on a particular product or a popular e-commerce site, which will turn out to be fake.
To avoid falling into the trap, Never click a link in an email or message if you’re not sure where it came from.. Instead, go directly to the site in question by entering its address into your browser. If you receive a suspicious email, check the sender’s address: official company addresses never have spelling mistakes, and they use well-known company domains (for example, your bank (email address will never have a generic domain like @gmail.com). Being vigilant against phishing is an important step in protecting your personal data.
Tip #3: Use a security suite to protect your online transactions.
To protect yourself from the dangers of cybercrime, it is recommended.Use a comprehensive security suite that includes antivirus, firewall and protections specific to online transactions. Some security software are equipped with special features to secure payments, which isolate your browser during a transaction, reducing the risk of your banking information being intercepted.
These suites also protect against malware and spyware that can enter your computer through fraudulent sites or infected email attachments. Additionally, they often include anti-phishing features, which alert you and block suspicious sites. Although they represent a cost, these security suites are a wise investment in protecting your banking and personal data.
Avast Premium Security
Among these protective suits, we can specifically mention Avast Premium Security. This antivirus integrates other complementary features that make it versatile and effective. For the article we are interested in, i.e. securing your online purchases, Avast Premium Security has a website legitimacy verification system and a dedicated phishing email detection module.
Of course, viruses, spyware, ransomware and other online threats are blocked and your Wi-Fi network is scanned by Wi-Fi Inspector, a system that detects vulnerabilities in your network. Made for It includes an advanced firewall, a webcam monitoring module and the option to automatically delete any personal data when you close your web browser.
AVG Ultimate
very complete, AVG Ultimate Also offers a number of security tools for your computer and your mobile, your personal data or your online privacy. Regarding the security of web browsing and online shopping, This security suite has a link scanner to avoid any suspicious sites, an email agent that analyzes your email attachments, and a purchase security system. and internet banking operations that avoid fraudulent sites and automatically redirect you to official sites.
and to further ensure the privacy of your digital activities and the sites you visit, AVG Ultimate also includes an anti-track module. which prevents advertisers and companies from tracking the sites you visit and your Internet searches, in order to send you targeted ads.
Tip #4: Be wary of dropshipping sites
Drop shipping is a method of sales where sellers do not have their own stock, but often place orders directly with overseas suppliers, who ship products directly to buyers. While this business model is not illegal, it can create quality and customer service issues.
Dropshipping sites are not all secure and can sometimes hide behind professional storefronts to sell products of questionable quality or more than a comfortable margin.. Often, delivery times are longer than advertised, and returns can be complicated. To avoid unpleasant surprises, check the return and shipping policy before ordering, and pay attention to customer reviews, which can give you an idea of the company’s reliability.
Tip #5: Avoid storing your banking details on the merchant’s website.
While storing banking information on commerce sites may seem easy, it comes with risks.. In fact, if the site in question is attacked or if your account is compromised, your banking information could fall into the hands of cybercriminals. Many companies have recently paid the price, such as Intermarché or Free.
It’s best to enter your banking information with every purchase, even though it may seem tedious.. Some sites also offer secure payment options like PayPal or Apple Pay, which don’t let you share your banking details directly with the merchant site. You can also opt for a virtual bank card or an e-bank card, which generates a unique card number for each transaction, thus ensuring maximum security.
By implementing these few simple tips, you will be able to shop online safely and with peace of mind. And this is true not only for commercial events like Black Friday, but also for all your banking transactions.
