Tips for Safer Online Shopping
Nothing goes together better than UAE and shopping. From Sharjah to Dubai, it is the favorite hobby and sport of the UAE. ‘Shop till you drop’ is more than just a catchword in this part of the world. When that experience goes online, without the traffic woes and burden of long queues, shoppers can’t ask for more.
In recent years, the shopping scene in the UAE has undergone a sea change, with e-commerce replacing the traditional brick and mortar stores. Everything from electronics and home appliances to groceries and toys is now only a click away. Online shopping has plenty of benefits compared to physical stores — the deals and prices are good, the selection is mind-boggling, the shopping is secure, shipping is fast, and returns are easy. The best part? It’s all done from the comfort of your couch.
In spite of these benefits, there is one major fear that prevents many from doing online shopping — online fraud. How do you know that if you enter your credit/debit card details online, your personal information and card details are not going to fall into the wrong hands? Prevention is always better than cure, so follow the tips mentioned below for a smart and secure online shopping experience.
1. Keep your system updated
Essential updates are necessary to keep your operating system updated and less vulnerable to cyber criminals. Invest in a good anti-virus and also ensure you run the antivirus and malware scans as recommended by your antivirus software to keep out of harm’s way.
2. Use trusted websites
Start with a trusted site rather than shopping with a search engine. Search results can be rigged to lead you astray, especially when you drift past the first few pages of links. Leading sites that handle a large number of transactions daily are likely to use the latest online security measures.
3. Create stronger passwords
Common names and figures make it easier for the hacker to find your password and gain access to your account. Therefore, put extra effort into your passwords — include numbers, symbols, and caps, and make them about 8–10 characters at least, unless otherwise prompted.
4. Check for SSL encryption
Online payment is an area that tends to make most online shoppers nervous. Never buy anything with your credit card from a site that doesn’t have SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encryption installed. SSL technology encrypts your information and, in effect, prevents other computers from accessing your information, restricting it to just you and your vendor. You’ll know if a site has SSL because the URL for the site will start with HTTPS:// (instead of just HTTP://). An icon of a locked padlock will appear, typically in the status bar at the bottom of your web browser, or right next to the URL in the address bar, depending on your browser.
5. Avoid phishing emails
Email scams that are designed to gather personal information such as passwords and credit card details are known as phishing emails. Legitimate companies including all banks will never send you an email with a link requesting your login, password or credit card details. If in doubt, type the web address of the company that sent the email directly to the browser rather than following the link.
6. Use online payment services
To limit the number of persons to whom you send your credit card information, you can use online payment services such as mWallet, PayPal, Bill Me Later, and Pay Simple for a nominal fee. These services keep your credit card information stored on a secured server, and then lets you make payments to retailers without revealing your credit card information; thereby providing maximum security.
7. Regularly check your bank statements
It’s easier than ever for fraudsters to go after bank details, but it’s also easy for users to check bank accounts now that every detail is available at the touch of a button. Some banks will alert you if they detect suspicious activity, but the only one who knows where you spend your money is you, so be sure to check your balance on a regular basis.
We should always be cognizant of online fraud. Incorporating a few of the given tips while shopping online can help keep your account numbers and personal details safe, and make online shopping a rewarding experience.