With Memorial Day upon us, retailers are promoting special offers and deals for the holiday weekend. That means, cyber criminals will be on the prowl. To ensure you’re keeping your personal information safe while online shopping, here’s some security best practices to keep top-of-mind:
- Keep your devices up-to-date. Ensure you’re using the latest software for all of your devices, especially devices you use to make purchases. In addition, avoid shopping on any device while connected to public Wi-Fi or unsecured networks.
- Use reputable sites. When making online transaction, take a careful look at the website’s URL. A good indicator that the online retailer is legitimate and has a secure payment portal is if the site displays a close, green padlock in the address bar.
- Be on alert for phishing scams. Email phishing scams are always a threat, but be especially wary during peak shopping seasons. Make sure to delete any suspicious emails and mark them as “spam.”
- Secure your personal and financial information. Be aware of the information that is being collected to complete your purchase. Only fill out what is required and understand the merchant’s privacy policy.
- Track your payments. Keep records of your online transactions and monitor your bank and credit card statements to make sure there are no fraudulent purchases. If you notice suspicious activity, alert your financial institution.
For more online security advice, be sure to visit our Tips page. Stay safe out there and have a great long weekend.