Cyber Monday: Cybersecurity Tips Online Shoppers Should Follow

Consumers are expected to use their electronic devices on Cyber Monday to take advantage of numerous deals from retailers as the holiday shopping season kicks into full swing. However, it’s important to exercise caution while making purchases.

While Cyber Monday is the perfect time to buy TVs, clothes and other items, it’s also a time to be extra vigilant when shopping online. The National Retail Federation estimates most consumers will shop online rather than in physical stores this holiday season to take advantage of free shipping and other perks. Consumers are also expected to buy more this year. Americans will spend an average of $967 this holiday season, a 3.4 percent increase from a $935 budget in 2015.

Cyber criminals will likely take advantage of the high number of consumers going on the internet to shop, and subsequently typing in their personal information, like card numbers and home addresses. Cybersecurity expert Antwanye Ford, president and CEO of IT and management consulting firm Enlightened, provided International Business Times with some tips on how consumers can avoid fraud on Cyber Monday.

Cybersecurity: Tips To Stay Safe While Holiday Shopping Online

Beware of Links

Ford’s first tip for consumers is to type in the retailer’s site instead of relying on links. Trusting links could lead shoppers to fake or malicious sites, which could allow hackers to access private information. Ford also recommends consumers to stick with stores they are familiar with.

“If you do see a comparable deal on an unfamiliar site, do research to see if there are any complaints about the site being malicious,” Ford says.

Shoppers shouldn’t trust links, even if they look like they’re from a legitimate site. Hovering over the link with the mouse shows what the true address is, which allows consumers to see if links match.

Be Skeptical Of Emails and Other Ads

Coupon links provided via emails shouldn’t be trusted either, since they could be sent by cyber criminals to lure consumers to fake versions of a legitimate website. Shoppers should instead write down the coupon code and manually enter it on the retailer’s site.

Online shoppers should also avoid clicking on ads.

“Hackers are getting more sophisticated at targeting your information by attaching malware to ads that run in the background when you click on them,” Ford says.

Make Sure ‘HTTPS’ Is Displayed

Shoppers should make sure the website’s URL says “HTTPS.” The “S” stands for secure, which means information the shopper enters will be encrypted and hidden from hackers. If the URL does not say HTTPS, consumers should not type in their personal information, like credit card numbers and shipping addresses.

Keep An Eye Out For Typos

Typos can serve as a red flag for shoppers. Consumers should keep an eye out for misspellings and other grammatical errors not only in URL links but also on web pages, since they could be an indication of a fake site.

“If you are on a website and something doesn’t feel right or normal, then avoid making any purchases on the site,” Ford says. “There is no deal that is worth the loss of your funds and personal information.”

Never Log On Public Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi is a big temptation for everyone, but it’s not safe. The Cyber Monday shopping event should serve as a reminder to all that they should not trust public Wi-Fi, especially while shopping.

“It is relatively easy for a hacker to fake Wi-Fi access and steal your personal information as you surf the web,” Ford says. “Even if a hacker doesn’t spoof the Wi-Fi, they can still use tools to look at all the internet traffic happening on the Wi-Fi and possibly steal your information that way.”

Don’t Use Debit Cards

Online shoppers obviously can’t use cash when buying products, but should avoid using debit cards, since they’re linked to bank accounts. Online shoppers should instead make purchases with credit cards, since they can dispute any suspicious charges or quickly shut down the card if the information is compromised.

Keep in mind that these tips should be followed all the time, not just on Cyber Monday.