This holiday season, many of us will be surfing the web for the best deals. But we’re not the only ones taking advantage of the convenience of the internet. Cybercriminals also will be hard at work looking to target online shoppers.
The Naperville Police Department wants to remind everyone to be cautious when shopping online to prevent you from becoming a victim of cybercrime.
Here are a few tips to help keep you safe.
Check Your Devices
Protect Your Devices: Before making any online purchases, make sure your device is current with updates and anti-virus software. Use unique, strong passwords for each of your accounts. Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) where possible. Multi-factor authentication (or two-factor authentication) uses multiple pieces of information to verify your identity.
Check Your Settings: Check the device’s privacy and security settings to make sure you understand how your information will be used and stored. Make sure you’re not sharing more information than you want or need to provide.
Shop Only Via Trusted Sources
Interact with reputable vendors: Before providing any personal or financial information, make sure you are interacting with a reputable, established vendor. Don’t click on links in emails, ads or pop-ups. Start at a trusted site rather than shopping with a search engine.
Verify business legitimacy: Some attackers may try to trick you by creating malicious websites that appear to be legitimate. Always verify the legitimacy before supplying any information.
Beware of phishing emails: Many of us receive emails from retailers about special offers during the holidays. Cyber criminals will often send phishing emails designed to look like they’re from retailers but have malicious links or ask for you to input your personal or financial information.
Don’t click links or download attachments: Don’t click links or download attachments unless you’re confident of where they came from.
Never provide your password: Never provide your password, or personal or financial information in response to an unsolicited email. Legitimate businesses will not email you asking for this information.
Make sure your information is being encrypted: Look in your browser’s location bar to make sure the website address begins with “https:” instead of “http:”. Ensure the padlock icon is locked.
Use Safe Methods for Purchasing
Privacy Policy: Before providing personal or financial information, check the website’s privacy policy. Make sure you understand how your information will be stored and used.
Use a credit card as opposed to a debit card: Credit cards are safer than debit cards and offer consumers additional protection when shopping online.
Check your statements frequently: Go online regularly during the holiday season and look at your accounts for any fraudulent charges.
Be wary of emails requesting personal information: Attackers may attempt to gather information by sending emails requesting that you confirm purchase or account information. Legitimate businesses will not solicit this type of information through email. Do not provide sensitive information via email.
For more information on shopping safety, visit www.naperville.il.us/ASaferNaper.
Until next month… Stay aware and stay safe.
