As the much-hyped Cyber Monday approaches, a recent poll suggests that Americans are growing wary of shopping online because of safety concerns. According to a survey conducted by the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), approximately 64 percent of respondents say they have not made an online purchase from a specific Web site because of safety concerns.
“The Internet is a fabulous, convenient resource for gift givers to get a jump start on their holiday shopping and bargain hunting, but people need to stay aware and alert about the risks," says NCSA Executive Director Michael Kaiser. "If there is any doubt about the security or authenticity of a Web site, hold off making the purchase."
However, consumers say they are more likely to buy online if “they see signs that a Web site is secure, have a clear understanding of how information collected about them is going to be used, and only information necessary to the transaction is being collected.
Here a few tips from the NCSA to stay safe while buying gifts online:
Keep a clean machine: Check to make sure that all software, especially security, Web browsers and operating systems, are up to date and set to update automatically.
Protect your personal information: When opening new accounts, use long and strong passwords. Only provide the minimal amount of information needed to complete a transaction. When providing personal information for any purchase or other reason, ensure that you know who is asking for the information and why they need it.
Connect with care: When shopping, check to be sure a Web site is security enabled. Look for web addresses with "https://" or "shttp://," which means the site takes extra measures to help secure your information during financial transactions. Be wary of holiday shopping efforts to lure you. Cyber crooks will adjust to the holiday season, trying to get you to click through to deals that may appear to good to be true. They may also try to trick you by sending emails that something has gone wrong with an online purchase.
Be Web wise: Research sellers before a first time purchase from a merchant (or auction seller) new to you. Search to see how others have rated them, and check their reviews. Do these things even if you are a return customer, as reputations can change.
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