Internet shopping is a tempting option due to its convenience and ease of use. “click and ship”Ensure that you continue to drive holiday shoppers online. The estimated $44 Billion spent online on holiday gifts will increase by 12 percent in 2008, compared to 2007.
Consumers are worried about the security risks of purchasing online during the holiday season. A CA-sponsored poll found that 72 per cent of North American consumers think retailers are not investing enough in online security and privacy.
Security experts from CA, Inc. have the following tips for consumers to protect themselves online during this holiday season.
Secure your computer before you shop. Install anti-virus, firewall and antispyware before you connect to the Internet.
Update, Update. Update. Consumers need to keep up with the latest protection techniques from the bad guys. Keep your operating software, firewall, antivirus, antispyware and anti-spyware up-to date
Open wireless networks are not a good place to shop. Hackers have easy access to open networks, which can be used to hack into your computer and take financial information.
Know your customer. Before you submit personal or financial details, verify the physical address and name of any online-retailer. Before you bid on any online auctions, make sure to check the track record.
Never email your financial or personal information. E-mail cannot be used to send sensitive information such as your Social Security number, bank account, or credit card number.
Secure payment processing. If a website processes your payment information you should ensure that the URL address changes to HTTP from HTTP to HTTPS or SHTTP. This means that the purchase has been encrypted or secured.
Be suspicious and alert. Identity thieves hope to take advantage of the holiday rush and scam consumers with fake e-mails appearing to come from legitimate organisations like the IRS, UPS, or bank. These emails “phishing”Scammers can trick shoppers into giving out personal information. Do not give out personal information to anyone who asks for it or requests that you click on links in an email.
