12 main rules for safe online shopping

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

How to avoid becoming a victim of cybercriminals and protect your data and money from theft.

According to preliminary data, in 2017, Russians made purchases for more than a trillion rubles. This is good news for online trading. But the growing popularity of online shopping attracts criminals looking for vulnerabilities and hacking services for profit.

On May 21, 2014, the world's largest online auction eBay reported that it had been hacked. Then the hackers gained access to a database containing names, passwords, email addresses, home addresses, phone numbers and other information. 145 million users were affected, and the administration of eBay admitted that this data could be used with malicious intent.

A year earlier, data on 40 million customers was stolen from the American retailer Target, and they did it on the eve of "Black Friday" - the risk of attacks on online stores during big sales increases.

Because of such hacks, customers have to massively change passwords, not only from their account in the store, but also from mail. And attackers receive personal data of people that can be used to gain access to Internet banking and electronic wallets. If you do not want to get into a similar situation and become a victim of scammers, always follow the simple rules of safe shopping.

1. Explore store reviews

If the site is fraudulent, then deceived customers have already written a lot about it. The corresponding groups on VKontakte, reviews on third-party sites, messages in the media - all this should be searched in advance on the Internet. Pay attention to the physical address and phone number of the store: if this data is available, it inspires confidence. You can call on the phone and check if he is a worker.

2. Do not register using social networks

They do not necessarily want to steal money from you right now. Social media is the first and foremost source of information for cybercriminals who collect personal data that are then used for fraud.

Be sure to set up the confidentiality of profiles on Facebook, VKontakte or Odnoklassniki and do not give online stores access to them.

3. Get a password manager

Yes, it's hard to come up with a password for each service. But using the same password everywhere (for e-mail, social networks, online stores) is not a good idea. Better to install a convenient password manager, remember only one master password and use it.

4. Don't include your primary email address

Surely, your main mail stores account keys or you can easily access them using it. As a rule, Internet banking is tied to it, and active correspondence with rather personal details goes from it.

It is in your best interest to prevent scammers from knowing your address. For purchases on the Internet, it is better to create a separate mailbox, so that in case of something it would not be a pity to lose it.

5. Get a separate card or wallet for online purchases

The same principle with a payment card - if suddenly information about it is stolen, it will not be so offensive. Refill it in small amounts before shopping. Be sure to connect an SMS bank to monitor the safety of money, and the service of confirming payments with a short number. Another good idea is to set a limit on the withdrawal of money from the card.

6. Enter the web address manually

Malicious sites can use domain names that are very similar to popular resource names, hoping for user error. The difference between amazon and amaz0n is that the second site is scam, although it is quite similar to the original online store. Therefore, it is safer not to copy the URL into the address bar, but to enter the site address manually.

7. Make sure your connection is secure

eight. Do not transfer data over public Wi-Fi

Kaspersky Lab claims that 18% of public Wi-Fi hotspots in Moscow are unsafe. This means that cybercriminals can easily get access to the data of your electronic payment, which was made in a cafe, hotel or large shopping center.

When choosing a public network, choose password-protected, enable the "Always use a secure connection" item in your device settings and connect via a virtual private network (VPN), if possible.

9. Read the links carefully before clicking on them

At one time, Avito users were sent SMS, in which they offered to go to the fake avito-inbox.com resource. On a fake site, people downloaded a virus that stole their personal data and money.

In addition, cybercriminals are actively using emails. They can attach a document or picture to emails that will actually be malware in disguise.

10. Don't settle for prepayment

If this is not a friend of yours or a salesperson with whom you have worked for a long time, it is better to hold the money until the moment the goods are handed over. Otherwise, you can be deceived in the most banal way - just not send anything. Therefore, it is better to choose payment upon receipt of the order: cash on delivery or cash to the courier. And it’s worth giving the money back after you have made sure that everything is in order with the goods.

11. Save your receipts and receipts

Whether you want to return an item, dispute a withdrawal from your account, or start a lawsuit with an online store, all receipts - paper and electronic - will come in handy. Store them.

12. Update regularly

All devices that you use to work with online stores need to install reliable protection: up-to-date antivirus, updates of important applications, browser and operating system. Developers regularly improve programs and close loopholes for intruders.