The number of online buyers has been increasing over the years. But the Pandemic has skyrocketed the trend of online purchasing to unprecedented heights. According to Statista, e-retail sales have been more than $4.2 trillion in 2020. And these numbers are from 2 years ago and are expected to be much more.
When people are depending on online sources to buy everything from groceries to automobiles, it raises a concern for payment safety. Where credible services like the toll-free Cox customer care number have a reputation and SSL encryption, that’s not always the case with many others. So, here are some tips you can follow to securely make your online payments.
Tips for Secure Online Payments
The number of online scams and frauds increases every year. But taking a careful approach can keep you and your online payments safe. Here are some easy tips you can follow for secure online payments:
Check Retailers’ Legitimacy
Staying vigilant can save you from a lot of scams and frauds online. Whenever you are visiting a new website to buy something, it is better to do your research before making the transaction. You can start by searching the company’s social media profiles. Further, you can check their reviews on Google and Trustpilot. If you find anything suspicious, do not make the purchase from the source.
See Website Security
If a retailer is a legitimate source, the next thing you should check is website security. SSL certificates add to the website’s security from hackers and online attacks. An easy way to check if a website has SSL encryption is to see if there’s a padlock before the web address on your browser. If it isn’t there, you will see unprotected written in place of the padlock. Do not proceed to make purchases if the website is unprotected.
Keep Your Software and Windows Updated
Another way of keeping yourself safe while purchasing things online is to have the latest software updates. Security updates are rolled out with better protective measures against online attacks. So, make sure you have the latest versions of the application. You can click on the three dots on the top right of your Google chrome screen. Then click on the help option from the drop-down menu. If it shows update Google Chrome, you can click for an updated version. If the update Google Chrome option does not show up, you are on the latest version.
On Android, you can search Google Chrome on Play Store and see if there is a green button update button. Click on it to update. Again, if it isn’t there, you are on the new version.
Also, do not ignore the notification updates on the software whenever they appear.
Set Strong Passwords
Strong passwords can keep you safe from many types of online attacks. Include at least one symbol, capitalized characters, and a combination of numbers and characters. This practice will make your passwords stronger and hard to guess. If you have a week previously set password, consider changing it. Also, you can take a step further for online security by changing your passwords every few months.
Do Not Use Public WiFi
Public WiFi connections have poor security. Therefore, it is never advisable to buy anything online or insert bank details anywhere when connected to them. Cellular data and personal WiFi connections at your home are much better in terms of security. So, if you find something worth buying, you can bookmark it or simply copy the URL and paste it into the notes app. You can revisit the address and then make the purchases when you are connected to safe internet connections.
Pay Using Credit Cards
Make sure to follow all the above-mentioned measures, and when it is time for payment, always pay through credit cards or PayPal. Avoid inserting your bank details while online shopping so they do not end up in the hands of hackers. Even if there is any suspicious activity, you can contact your credit card service provider or PayPal to see the matter.
Conclusion
For secure payments, while buying products online, always inspect the source and the website to see if there’s something off. Further, use strong passwords and keep your software updated. Do not buy products through public connections. And always PayPal or credit cards for payment.
