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10 TIPS ON SAFE AND PRACTICAL ONLINE SHOPPING
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| Image by Mediamodifier from Pixabay |
You must have shopped online or online, right? The phenomenon of online shopping is getting more and more massive nowadays. More and more online stores are emerging that offer a variety of conveniences and tantalizing promos. Almost all products can be sold online, along with the development of the transaction and shipping system.
One hand, this phenomenon will certainly squeeze the
existence of a conventional sales system. But, on the other hand, the online
shopping system does provide a variety of conveniences. Just imagine, if in the
past you had to be willing to jam into an electronic shopping center to buy
products, now you just have to go to the website shop. choose the product you
want, and enter it on your shopping chart. In a matter of days, or even a
matter of hours, the item you bought has arrived at your doorstep.
Everything becomes easy with online shopping. Competitive
prices, attractive promos, payment systems that are far from complicated, fast
delivery, and guaranteed after-sales guarantees are values that are always
prioritized by providers who provide online shopping services. Amongst all
values, there is one important point which cannot be ruled out at all. What is
that? Transaction security.
According to a report quoted from straitstime.com, in the 6
months period in 2017, there have been 900 cases of fraud under the guise of
online shopping in Singapore, with a loss of more than 691,700 Singapore
Dollars! That illustrates how the circulation of virtual money in the online
mall arena is so tempting, including creating a cyber crime mode.
You certainly don't want to experience this. In order to
avoid losses due to cybercrime when shopping online, there are a few important
tips that you need to know and put into practice.
1. Access a well-known and trusted website.
One of the important parameters of a bona fide online shop
is the number of visitors to the "stall". The more visitors, the more
familiar the online shop is among the public. To check it, you can use reviews
on automated search engines or see the verification on several forums. It
should also be noted, nowadays many online store domain names are almost the
same, so you have to make sure you don't write the online store address
correctly.
2. Pay attention to the security system of buying and selling sites.
Never occasionally buy goods online using a credit card at a
trading site that does not feature SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encryption. The
easiest way to detect whether a buying and selling site has a tight security
system is to identify the address. Websites that have SSL start with HTTPS: //.
Also, usually, on SSL-enabled sites a lock icon will appear in the corner of
the address or to the right of the URL address, depending on your browser.
3. Never give out your ATM PIN number or personal account password.
No trading site requires your PIN or password, not even an
email password. All of that is private access that cannot be shared with any
party.
4. Check expenses.
After each transaction, make it a habit to check your
expenses. If you are using a mobile banking application, immediately check the
status of your expenses. If using a credit card, regularly check your expenses
online. Don't wait until you're charged at the end of the month.
It is also useful for controlling your expenses as well. If
there are indications of suspicious spending from your account, immediately
contact the bank or related institution that issued the credit card that you
used for the transaction. You have 30 days to confirm, before the bank or
credit card provider issues the bill.
5. Protect your computer.
Many malware or viruses can threaten the security of the
online transaction system from your computer or smartphone. The virus or
malware can steal your ID or confidential information. To avoid this, use a
recommended anti-virus program.
6. Use a password that is not easily duplicated.
Many cybercrime modes have successfully breached security
systems due to weak passwords created by users. Therefore, make it a habit to
create strong passwords that only you will remember.
7. Keep your smartphone safe.
Today, more and more people are accessing electronic
information using smart phones, including to compare prices between online
stores and make transactions in them. One of them, make it a habit to keep your
smartphone safe. Always use a password to unlock your cellphone. This will
minimize the risk of other people accessing your personal information,
including logging into the trading site account that is on your smartphone.
8. Get in the habit of logging out.
Well, this is something you need to get used to after
accessing an online mall site and transacting on it. Log out properly so that
other people can't get into your account. Avoid simply leaving the page.
9. Be aware of Wi-Fi security
Usually, by arguing that in order to save quota, we take
advantage of the (free) Wi-Fi network provided in various public places, such
as in cafes, malls, restaurants, or other places. That is fair thing. However,
if you want to make transactions that are private and confidential, make sure
the Wi-Fi you access is through a Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection.
10. Save proof of transaction.
Through what payment methods you use to buy goods in online
stores, immediately save proof of payment. If via bank transfer, keep the proof
of transfer receipt or the ATM receipt. If you go through the account feature
at an online shop, capture the transaction results so they won't be deleted.
This is so that if at any time you need to prove a
transaction that you have ever done, you can easily prove it - including when
making a report at the police in case of fraud mode.
