What can happen if you scam when buying online? They could steal your passwords, bank details, sell you a false product or that it does not reach you. While shopping online is generally safe, there are exceptions and it also depends on what precautions you take.
Tips for buying online
We have seen many cases of websites that turn out to be false, products that do not arrive or bank account thefts due to carelessness. But don’t worry, protecting yourself is easier than you might think. The most important thing is not to make mistakes. With that you will have a lot of cattle for your online shopping.
Protect your passwords
The first thing you should do is protect your accounts and for this it is essential to use good passwords. It is the main barrier that will prevent intruders. You are going to protect your bank accounts, platforms like Amazon, email, etc. Here you can not be confused, since it is key.
How should a good password be? Ideally it should be unique and totally random. It uses upper and lower case letters, numbers, and other special symbols. This will help you avoid brute force attacks and they can easily figure it out, something that can happen if you use your name, date of birth, etc.
Check the website
Of course, when you go to buy something on a website it is essential that you review it. you can see the General aspect from that site, but also search for information on the Internet. For example, you could read comments and ratings from other users who have previously purchased and thus rule out scams.
Buying on a guarantee site is very important. Platforms like Amazon, for example, are reliable. But there are many other pages that can generate doubts or even websites that have been faked to defraud.
Use reliable payment methods
The way you pay online is essential to Avoid risks in electronic commerce. Our advice is that you use reliable payment methods that have guarantees. For example, you can use services like PayPal. Also the use of disposable cards or a wallet is a good idea.
Ideally, you should not use your main bank card. After all, the less you expose it on the Internet, the better to avoid computer attacks. Many banks offer the possibility of using virtual cards, which you can top up with a specific amount and that’s it.
protect your device
It is important to have your device protected, be it the computer or the mobile. For example, you should install a good anti virus. There are many options, both free and paid. This type of program will help you protect yourself and detect any attempt by malicious software that may sneak into you.
In addition, protecting the device also means having it updated. It is essential that you install the latest versions and avoid problems. There are many cases in which a vulnerability can appear, so correcting it will be key to buying with greater security.
Beware of public networks
It is not advisable to buy online through public Wi-Fi networks. For example, you should not do it in places like an airport, a shopping center, a library… You don’t really know if that network is reliable and there could be intruders who steal your bank details or intercept the transaction.
If you have no choice but to make a purchase from public networks, our advice is to use a VPN. These types of programs will encrypt the connection. Everything you do on the Internet will be protected and in case there are intruders they could not access the data. Apps like ExpressVPN or NordVPN are a good idea.
In short, as you can see, it is essential to buy online with complete security. If you follow these tips that we have given, you can avoid attacks that compromise your devices and steal personal data.
