Hackers tap into your device and steal your personal information. From there, they can find out your name, address, and even your bank details. But, they’re not the only ones that can gain access to your data. Scammers also create fake websites to fool shoppers online. They pretend to sell you goods and instead of sending you your products, they steal your identity and bank details to take the money from your accounts.

Top Online Shopping Tips

With the above in mind, it’s essential that you protect yourself when shopping online. Here are 6 tips you should follow:

1 Always Do Your Research

Before you share your personal information with a website, do your research. If you want to buy products from a new website, read what other consumers think of it. You can do this by reading online reviews. Once you know that the website is safe, read their policies. Check their return and refund procedures. Also, make sure you read all the information on the website so that you know what to expect if you’re not happy with your purchase.

2 Keep Your Personal Information Safe

You wouldn’t walk up to a stranger and give them your bank details, and the same goes for online platforms. When sharing personal information with e-commerce platforms, be aware of the information they’re asking for. If you believe that the vendor is asking for information they don’t need to process the order, steer clear of them.

3 Keep Your Devices Clean

The reason applications and other software provides updates is to reduce the risk of malware making its way onto your device. With this in mind, it’s important you keep your phone, tablet, and computer updated. Also, invest in an antivirus package.

4 Fortify Your Online Accounts

If you want to stay safe when shopping online, you must enable the strongest authentication tools on your devices. Some of these include:

Security keys Biometrics Authenticator applications that give you unique one-time codes

Remember that no matter how unique your usernames and passwords are, they’re not enough to keep you safe online. That being said, you should choose strong passwords for your accounts. Your password should be:

A sentence that is at least 12 characters long A mixture of letters, numbers, and symbols Include both lowercase and uppercase letters

Also, make sure you create a unique username and password for each of your individual accounts, if possible.

5 Get Savvy With Your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Settings

Certain locations monitor consumer activity by looking for devices with their Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on. With this in mind, make sure that your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are always off when not in use. Additionally, avoid sharing personal information when using a public Wi-Fi network. For example, try to avoid connecting to your email or online banking accounts. These locations are prime spots for hackers. Also, make sure you limit external access to your phone by adjusting your security settings.

6 Use a VPN

If you truly want to stay safe online, you should use a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN allows you to connect to the internet via a server in a location of your choosing. By doing so, hackers and other prying eyes can’t steal any personal information from your device. Not only this, but because a VPN allows you to appear as if you’re in a different location, you may find better prices. This is especially relevant for flights and hotels. You may also gain cheaper access to gaming and video streaming platforms.

Top VPNs To Use When Shopping Online

Not all VPNs are the same. With this in mind, it’s important you choose one that will keep you safe under all circumstances.

1ExpressVPN

Key features:

256-bit AES encryption Strict no logs policy An automatic kill switch

ExpressVPN has application for all devices as well as browser extensions for Chrome, Safari, and Firefox. This VPN also supports other devices such as Apple and Fire TV. ExpressVPN also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Try Now Risk Free

2CyberGhost VPN

Key features:

256-bit AES encryption DNS and leak protection Strict no logs policy

CyberGhost VPN allows you to protect up to 7 devices with just one account. The company has applications for Mac, Windows, Android, iOS, Linux, and routers. It also comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee. Try Now Risk Free

Final Thought

If you want to stay safe while shopping online, it’s important that you use all of the tools available. While creating strong passwords and avoiding public Wi-Fi hotspots will reduce your chances of encountering scammers, a VPN is the only way you can truly stay safe and secure online.