Page 32 - Oundle Life Feb 2021

Safety tips for
SHOPPING ONLINE
Shopping for food/household goods/clothes is an essential part of all our lives and shopping online has now become the ‘norm’ for most of us. 80% of internet users shop online at some point, and this is growing, particularly due to recent COVID restrictions.
Shopping online saves time and we can do
it from the comfort of our own home, but it comes with risks. This is something we must be aware of, and not be too complacent about.
Please find below some tips to keep in mind when shopping on the world wide web:
1. Shop the names you know. By doing this
you are shopping, usually, on sites that have
the highest standards of security and privacy.
2. Look out for the padlock. Secure sites will
brandish the padlock icon in the browser to assure you that the site you are viewing is using high level encryption; this scrambles your information and makes it harder for anyone to intercept it.
3. Keep your private details private. If a site is asking you strange questions that are asking for inappropriate information, for example your National insurance number or passport number, when this clearly isn’t needed to make your purchase, then come off the site straight away.
4. Always check your billing statements.
Sounds obvious, but many of us let this chore slip by, so we are not alerted to possible fraud.
5. Keep passwords safe. Again, sounds another obvious thing to do, but many of us save them in our browser, or write them down next to the computer, where thieves can easily find them and then get into your private accounts for fraudulent use.
6. Use mobile Apps. Use a company’s dedicated App, these are more secure than just using a wireless communication. Make sure it is frequently updated also.
7. Do shopping online from home. Your home internet system is a lot more secure and
safer than shopping on a public network. Always try to do your shopping at home
and preferably on a hard-wired desktop
connection.
8. Keep your Web Browser up to date. Always
update when prompted by your browser.
9. Use a good reliable security software.
Last but not least, make sure that you use a credible antivirus software for your internet security.
Enjoy the benefits of shopping online, but remember to keep these tips in mind and keep safe.
Lin Barrow, Simply Antivirus Ltd, based in Peterborough, are a UK family run online business with over 12 years’ experience in the online sales sector. www.simplyantivirus.co.uk
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