ALBANY, N.Y. – As Cyber Monday grows, so do the opportunities for hackers and malicious software.
Here are a few ways to ensure your safety while shopping online:
- If you're unsure about a link in an email – don't click it. If you're skeptical of an offer or email, go directly to the retailer's website to confirm the offer before you click.
- Check to ensure your antivirus and malware software is up to date and also check your computer's firewall settings.
- Make sure you have the latest update for your web browser, such as Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, or Google Chrome, since the latest versions have increased safeguards.
- Try and stay at sites that use "https," which denotes an encrypted site that allows secure transactions.
- Shop at home if you're able – sending your credit/debit card information over an unsecured or public network can allow hackers to snag your card information.
- If you can, use a credit card, since debit cards are directly tied to your bank account.
- Be sure to print out all payment confirmations.
- Make it a routine to change your password every so often.
- If you have doubts – trust your instincts. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is and you'll save yourself a lot of hassle in the end.
If you have any suggestions on how to stay safe while shopping online, leave a tip in the comments section below.
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