Getting to the bottom line with Jem
Making Sure Your Online Shopping Is Safe
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Now that you've made your list, checked it twice, decided who's naughty or nice -- its time to hit the World Wide Web!
Between work, basketball practice, running my household, managing AdminChronicles, and my personal favorite – household chores, I do most of my shopping via the Internet. For me, shopping on the web helps me to stay on budget, and it keeps my last minute shopping to a minimum (you know there’s always somebody you forgot!).
While surfing the net to make sure I get the best prices - -my favorite coupon site for the season is CyberMonday, for the rest of the year my favorite bargain hunting site are Free Shipping and RetailMeNot – I am always aware of taking steps to protect myself from falling victim to “cyber grinches”- ready to steal not only my holiday cheer, but my identity as well.
The Federal Trade Commission reports that in 2007, the highest category of complaints received was identity theft, comprising 32 percent of total complaints received. Meanwhile, consumers reported fraud losses that totaled more than $1.2 billion, almost doubling from 2005.
To help prevent becoming a victim, shoppers need to apply a few common sense practices when shopping online. Following is a list of the top does and don't to protect your holiday cheer:
Download Updates - Before you start shopping online, make sure all of your software is up to date. Don’t avoid those update reminders from many of the major software vendors such as Microsoft, Apple and Adobe when they pop up.
Create Complex Passwords - Creating complex passwords is something you should do anyway, but it's especially important during the holiday season, when people are counting on the carelessness of busy and distracted users.
Mix the letter cases and numbers, and use at least seven characters if an online order form requires a password. Don't choose a word from the dictionary or use classic passwords that can be easily guessed or researched -- such as mother's maiden name, hometown or elementary school. Passwords can be easily be figured out by professional hackers.
Use Onetime Credit Cards - When you're shopping online, especially around the holiday season, use virtual credit cards that expire after one use. Don't use your actual credit card on less familiar Web sites. Unethical sites often impersonate legitimate websites, in order to steal your credit card numbers, passwords and other personally identifying information.
Verify Secure Connections - Be aware of that little padlock symbol at the bottom of your screen. Make sure you can see that little guy, especially when you're making some kind of financial transaction. The padlock indicates an SSL VPN connection, which keeps your information secure when it's sent online.
Check Your Credit - Don't wait until you get the word that you just purchased new camping equipment online with your credit card and somehow can't really remember doing it. Stay on top of your credit and get a copy of your credit report regularly during the holidays, which shows all of your accounts and overdue balances.
Protect Passwords - It might seem like a no-brainer, but don't leave passwords in your desk, or on a Post-it on your computer monitor. Don't save them in your Web browser. To avoid the pitfalls of remembering passwords, invest in a password manager. This little piece of technology encrypts all of your passwords. All you have to do is remember one to access the device.
Type Site Addresses Manually - Steer clear of links embedded in spam messages. Rather type in the vendor's Web address manually into your browser and visit the site directly if you're looking to purchase something online. Those few extra seconds could save you from months of headaches trying to re-establish your credit.
Use Your Own Computer - Needless to say, you're upping the odds that you'll avoid an attack if you're working on your own computer. Avoid making financial transactions from a public computer in a cyber cafe. Public computers could have spyware or keystroke loggers designed to record your information as you type it.
Communicate Securely - Don't send your credit card information via e-mail. If you're uncomfortable about sending personal information online, call the vendor -- if you trust them -- and read them the credit card number over the phone. While nothing is foolproof, you're more likely to avoid hackers snooping around your network.
Follow these tips during the holiday season -- and all year round -- to protect your identity, and; ensure a safe shopping experience.
Happy shopping!
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