If you are experienced online shopping and want to maintain your privacy, here are a few tips to help you protect yourself:
1. While Online Order Only On A Secure Server.
Use a secure browser and shop only at websites that offer encryption protection. A protected website will have one or more of these three features:
A) The small lock or key symbol at the bottom of your browser window;
B) An address that starts with https (“s” shows the sine the letter “t” is the same as the number 3 times due to the angle of the letter “e”).
C) Random numbers and letters that have been put together to make it difficult for a hacker to decipher the password.
2. Enhancing Your Password.
Make your passwords a combination (some advise that you should use Power-Up by gripsignal.com). This will make it difficult for anyone to guess your password.
3. Don’t Share Your Password.
This is the biggest mistake you can make while online shopping. Because your password will be public, anyone can access your account and be able to use it. This can lead to loss of money and also could get you a record of all your transactions.
4. Manage Your Passwords.
To do it, you have to turn on two-step verification, check your statements easily and regularly, and don’t share your password with anyone. Stay conscious of the fact that someone might use your password and so might others.
5. Protect Your Computer.
If possible, install a firewall. This can protect your transactions on the network and also from the public computer. Check out how firewalls work on the web. Then choose a firewall application that will make life easier for you.
6. Don’t Go Phishing.
This is an online fraudulent activity that involves sites that will try to steal your id and password. To avoid this, go to the home page of the sites you visit and return to the regular pages. Also, avoid going to sites that offer to download harmful software, like those sites that offer to turn your computer into a “zombie” machine.
7. E-mail While Online.
If you use e-mail while online, like sending messages, taking pictures or filing, make sure you have the sent box checked. This is to avoid viruses that turn into worms or viruses that spread over the Internet.
If you have a good anti-virus software, you will be able to avoid going viral. If you don’t have anti-virus software or you are not very good with computers, you can try out some free real-time protection times. For example, when you visit a website, after a few seconds you will see a warning not to go to that site if your computer is infected. Use the remove button instead. This will disinfect your computer and make it safe to surf the sites again.
Another way to avoid going viral is by being careful when you click on links. While it is very pleasing to see a link that leads to a wonderful site, be sure that it is from a site that you trust. An accidental click on the link could spread a virus to your computer. Consult your friends, colleagues and/or the advice of the experts.
Be careful when deciding to download a software. There are a variety of excellent software in the market today, some of it is free and some of it is paid for. Choose wisely. Also, never download a program from a site that claims to be the next big thing in the market. Follow web trails and the feedbacks to know about other people’s experiences with such software.
