Cyber Safety empowers people to live their digital lives more safety in an increasingly complex and connected world. This is especially essential to consider when most of us shop online during the holiday season.
A new report from Norton on cyber safety has found that nearly a quarter of Kiwi adults surveyed (22%) agree that they tend to take more risks when shopping online during the holiday season, as opposed to other times of the year, and 28 percent have already been victims of online shopping scams, losing an average of NZ$509.
While most Kiwi adults report having an awareness of how to protect themselves against cybercrime when shopping online, we can become happily absorbed in festivities during the Christmas season that encourage us to make mistakes and may click on suspicious links, or be lured in by a social media advertisement.
Here are the top ten tips from Norton on how to avoid those risks this year:
1. Only buy from retailers you recognise
Don’t blindly trust search results. Always double check URLs for misspellings or errors. Bookmark your favourite shopping sites to visit them directly.
2. Always check the details of any online store you’re unfamiliar with
Look for details like design, pricing, URL, language discrepancies and spelling errors before making purchases on an unfamiliar website. Shady designs and low-quality images are a sign that they were stolen from another site. Scam websites will often use a web address similar to stores you trust but might use .net over .com. Poor spelling or formatting are also hallmarks of a scam store and are likely not a mistake.
3. Double-check reviews
Make sure the reviews match the product page and double check by looking for off-site reviews. To be extra cautious, try a simple Google search of the store name + scam or fraud.
4. Be wary of offers that are too good to be true
Many online shoppers are scammed by responding to deals that seem too good to be true. Criminals often create ads for highly discounted designer or luxury items, but after being ordered these items don’t arrive or are counterfeit. Be careful and if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
5. Create strong, secure passwords, and use a password manager
If you need to create an account for an online store to make a purchase, make sure you are using a secure and unique password. A password manager is a powerful tool to keep credentials safe when shopping online. If you have the option, enable two-factor authentication for an added layer of security.
6. Monitor your credit and bank statements for signs of fraud
If a scammer gains access to your financial information, they can rack up charges on your credit card and ruin your credit score. Make sure to regularly check your bank and credit card statements for any suspicious transactions. Scammers often make smaller changes to verify the card works. If you become a victim of fraud, be sure to report it to your bank or credit card issuer immediately.
7. Be cautious when shopping over public Wi-Fi
Public Wi-Fi networks are easy to hack and cybercriminals can intercept the data you send to a shopping site like a credit card or payment details. When shopping online, make sure you’re using a secure internet connection. If you need to make purchases while traveling, use a virtual private network, more often referred to as VPN.
8. Use the official shopping apps when possible
Most large retailers have their own mobile apps. These apps can be much safer than visiting their website. Be sure to keep your apps updated to avoid bugs or vulnerabilities by turning on auto-updates.
9. Sign up for identity theft protection
Even when following safety tips, there’s still a chance you could get hacked or scammed. To keep your online accounts and financial information safer from criminals, consider signing up for an identity theft protection service like Identity Advisor Plus.
10. Last but not least, donate safely online this festive season
The holidays signal a time of charitable giving for many. If you are donating, do your research. Know the charity or cause you’d like to give to; start at a site dedicated to researching and rating charities to ensure they are legitimate.
An easy check is searching for the name of your charity alongside “review” or “scam” in your search engine. Email is a common channel for non-profits to ask for continued support. However, you should never click a link in an email. Instead, go directly to the organisation’s website and donate there. When you pay, use your credit card. Never donate with cash, gift cards, or money wires. Paying by credit card helps provide a paper trail and adds a layer of protection.
Verve Giveaway Copy:
Win one of two copies of Norton 360 Premium (RRP NZ$204.99) to give you peace-of-mind while shopping online this festive season. Norton 360 Premium offers you a digital protection toolkit including Secure VPN, Password Manager, plus iCloud backup and Antivirus for up to 10 devices – all in one simple download!
