In a world constantly reminding us how vulnerable our identities and financial information are to hackers and identity thieves, it is understandable that people are concerned about whether there is such a thing as safe online shopping.
The first question to ask before placing an order online is whether or not the site offers secure online shopping. How can you tell? A secure site will use encrypted software to protect any information you send over the Internet, including your personal and financial information. The site should have an unbroken key or padlock either at the top or bottom of your computer screen.
To make sure you get a secure online shopping experience, shop with online stores that you’ve heard of before. Make sure the store has an easy-to-find privacy policy and make sure you agree with how they intend to use your personal information. While there is no guarantee that you’ll experience a safe shopping experience online, by shopping at companies whose names you know and trust, you’ll significantly reduce your odds of having a bad experience.
Using a payment option that offers Buyer Protection will also ensure that your online shopping experience is secure and rewarding.
When shopping online from a shared computer (such as one used at a library, school, or Internet café) you are exposing yourself to additional risks including:
- The risk of someone looking over your shoulder to get your personal and financial information.
- Forgetting to completely log off. We’re a busy society and in a rushed world, it’s really easy to jump up from the computer terminal and head out the door without completely logging off. The next person to sit down could easily log in as you and take advantage of your credit card information.
- When using your own computer, you probably have a good idea of the security installed on it. When using a public computer, unless you take the time to search the system, you may not be as well protected as you are at home.
If you have to shop from a public or shared computer, try to make purchases from stores that offer alternative payment options like eBillme. With eBillme, you can place your order now, but pay cash for these purchases later from a computer that is not shared.
