Browsing Safety When Shopping Online ~ HACKER CLUB 4 U

Shopping online can be a really rewarding and safe experience. As with all things though there are risks and when it comes to online shopping these are often at the forefront of our minds. There are many ways of keeping your private information safe and of safe guarding against potential risks. In this article we’re going to look at browsing and search engine safety so that you are better equipped to maximize your safety.

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Browing Safety When Shopping Online Browsing Safety When Shopping Online
Web browsers

Which web browser you use to surf the internet can have a huge impact on the safety of your personal details. Secure web browsers will either encrypt or scramble any information you might input when making a purchase. Using an unsecure or out of date web browser exposes you too unnecessary risk so downloading the latest versions is a good way to increase your security. Increasingly online payment forms will detect whether you are using a secure or non-secure connection and will check with you before you proceed. Generally err on the side of caution and update your browser before making significant purchases and steer clear of less established browsers when shopping.
Check site security

Checking site security is essential when you shop online as it determines the potential visibility of your details when you input them into payment forms. Websites are either secured or unsecured with secure sites using SSL to hide your details from wandering eyes. Secure sites encrypt your data as it is sent across web space. The best way to check whether a site is secure is to look in the address bar. If the site starts with https:// or has a padlock icon displayed in the address bar then it is using a secure connection and you can feel relatively secure in inputting your details.
Read the privacy policy

When shopping and browsing always read the privacy policy and terms of use if applicable as this will give a good indication of: firstly the security of your details and secondly the legitimacy of the company. If these details cannot be found then shop elsewhere. Usually an about page or FAQ page will reveal the terms of service and privacy policy of the company. Check that the company is doing everything to ensure your safety before making a purchase. In addition use this opportunity to check other details like whether your information is shared with any third parties and also their returns and re-billing policies if applicable.
Search through search engines not advertisements

It is all too tempting to click advertisements on pages when you find something that sparks your interest. However you should always be wary when you click through in this way as you have very few guarantees that the site you are redirected to is secure. If you do click through to a site and want to make a purchase use a new tab to research the company alongside words like “scam” or “problems with……” this will let you determine the legitimacy of the site you have clicked through to and protect you against problems.
Keep your eyes open

Finally always ensure that you are paying attention to the site you are on. Look for things that seem out of place, things that are missing or spelling mistakes and slight logo variations. For example spelling mistakes are a sure sign of a non-legitimate company who are likely to have spent less time ensuring that their punctuation and grammar are up to scratch. Whilst logos are easy enough to copy they are often altered slightly or at slightly lower quality than you would expect which is a good indication that they are fake. Missing contact details, addresses, terms and conditions and privacy policies are always warning signs of something being amiss. Always keeping your eyes open and attuned to these things will drastically reduce your risks.