14 DAY TRIAL // Since many Internet users prefer to avoid all the commotion from the stores and shop for Christmas presents online, it’s very useful to know how to protect a credit card and other sensitive information while doing so.
Android devices, iPads and even good old-fashioned PCs may be utilized these days to do some shopping before the holidays. To make sure no unfortunate incident occurs, with the help of the guys from Webroot, we’ll take a look at some tips to keep your assets safe.
When shopping online with a smartphone or a tablet, it’s always recommended to make sure that the apps you use are downloaded from trusted sources. The Android Market, Apple’s App Store and Amazon App Store may contain some harmful applications as we’ve seen before, but still, the chances are slim that you’ll stumble upon one of them.
Trusted apps stores are always safer than shady websites or forums that promise great deals.
The use of the locking mechanisms offered by portable devices is always recommended since if you lose sight of the device, someone may use it for malicious purposes.
Mobile security software procured from trusted vendors can never hurt because in most cases they’ll be able to identify phony websites.
When it comes to PCs, always rely on common sense and avoid offers that are too good to be true. Also, the website you shop on must be a trusted one and have the padlock symbol or an URL that starts with https, otherwise they’re unsafe and you shouldn’t provide any sensitive information.
The security solution, along with making sure that all the critical components such as Flash and Java are up-to-date, also applies to desktop and laptop computers. Cybercriminals will in many cases rely on unpatched flaws to place a piece of malware on a device.
Another important tip is to access a website by typing its address into the browser’s address bar yourself. Avoid clicking on links received via email or social media sites.
Finally, use credit cards rather than debit cards since the former limits your liability in case your financial information is stolen. Some also recommend the use of a card specially designated for shopping to make sure the hole in your budget won’t be too big in case you fall for a scam.