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Cyber Monday is the day when online retailers offer great discounts to consumers. Many people look forward to this day to get amazing deals, but they often forget about the potential risks of shopping online. Online shopping can put consumers’ personal and financial information at risk, making it important to take steps to protect yourself on Cyber Monday and other online shopping days.
Here are some tips that can help you stay safe when purchasing online:
1. Use Strong Passwords: One of the easiest ways cybercriminals steal your identity or payment information is by guessing your passwords. Always create a strong password (at least 8 characters long and including numbers, special characters, uppercase and lowercase letters).
2. Shop Only on Secure Websites: Always ensure to shop on legitimate websites that offer secure connections. You can verify the security of a website by looking for HTTPS:// at the beginning of the URL or a lock symbol in the address bar.
3. Avoid Public Wi-Fi: Cybercriminals can easily intercept information you enter while using public Wi-Fi. Avoid shopping on unsecured public Wi-Fi networks, especially if you are entering sensitive information.
4. Keep Your Software Updated: Cybercriminals can exploit vulnerabilities in outdated software to gain access to your financial and personal information. Always keep your devices and software updated to the latest version.
5. Pay with Credit Card: Credit cards offer more fraud protection than debit cards. In addition, using credit card allows you to dispute a charge if you are not satisfied with your purchase or if a fraudulent charge is made on your account.
6. Be Cautious of Deals: Be skeptical if a deal appears too good to be true. Scammers often use Cyber Monday sales as a way to lure in unsuspecting victims. Always comparison shop to determine if a deal is legitimate and avoid deals that require you to provide personal information.
7. Watch for Phishing Scams: Scammers can create realistic phishing emails or websites that look like they are from legitimate retailers. Never click on links that you are unsure about and double check the website’s URL before entering any personal information.
Cybercriminals are always looking for new ways to steal information, so it’s important to be vigilant whenever you shop online. By following these tips, you can reduce the risk of your personal and financial information being compromised on Cyber Monday or any other online shopping day.
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