The holidays are here... you've been seeing the ads and you don't want to miss out, but is the deal real? This holiday season we want you to catch the good deals and not a digital virus by sharing some tips for staying safe while shopping online:
1. Stronger Passwords
When is the last time you changed your password? If you are online shopping this holiday season, now is a great time to update them. Learn more about password best practices in this blog.
2. Save $$, Not Your Info
Saving your card information in a browser may be convenient, but it comes with a risk in the case it ever becomes breached. We suggest manually entering your credit card information each time to reduce the risk of credit card or identify theft.
3. Know How to Catch the Phish
As the holidays approach and online shopping increases, so do the emails sent to your inbox. Watch for phishing scams that may be masquerading as trusted companies. Always check the domain the email comes from. Verify the link is legititmate before clicking (or better yet, don't click but log into your account directly to find the deal). Learn more about phishing here.
4. It Seems Sketchy
Everyone is always looking for a great bargain, but do you really trust the website you found it on? Just like you wouldn't shop in a store that looks like it won't be there next month, you shouldn't trust your personal information and credit card with a website that might disappear next month as well. If you are online shopping, it's best to shop with reputable companies.
5. Trust Your Gut
Fake websites are desiged for the sole purpose of duping you into giving them your credit card and personal information. If the deal looks too good to be true, it probably is.
Make this holiday season a priority to protect yourself. Happy shopping!
