While online shopping is convenient and time-saving, shop smart and take precautions to mitigate the risks.
Protect Yourself & Shop Smart
Some helpful tips to follow for a safe online shopping experience include:
- Enhance the security of your computer by:
- Installing a firewall
- Installing most current anti-virus and anti-spyware software
- Use strong passwords by:
- Using at least eight characters, with numbers, special characters, and upper and lower-case letters
- Not using the same passwords for online shopping websites that you use for logging onto your computer
- Never sharing your login and/or password
- Guard the security of your transaction including:
- When submitting your purchase information, look for the "lock" icon on the browser's status bar
- Be sure “https” or “shttp” appears in the website’s address bar. The "s" stands for "secure”
- Don't email your financial information because:
- Clear-text emails are not a secure method of transmitting financial information such as your credit card, checking account, or Social Security numbers
- Limit your online shopping to merchants you know and trust, and:
- If you have questions about a merchant, verify it with the Better Business Bureau or the Federal Trade Commission
