Online shopping is safe, but there are a few things you can do to minimize your risk:
- Stick with reputable websites that take secure payment options such as credit cards and PayPal, both of which offer buyer protection.
- Only give out your card info when the URL (web address) shows https: (not http:) or a little padlock in the browser, to confirm it’s a secure connection.
- Always check the store’s return policy. When shopping at an unfamiliar merchant site, look for some sort of security seal of approval, such as Better Business Bureau, VeriSign and DigiCert.
- When on marketplaces like eBay, be sure to check the seller’s reputation and read comments before buying a product, to see what the experience was like for previous customers.
- Use good passwords – at least seven characters long, a mix of capital and small letters, numbers and symbols. And don’t use the same password for all your online activity.
- Whether you shop on a smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop, always keep the operating system up to date, to avoid cybercriminals exploiting a weakness. Also use good cybersecurity software that can detect and delete any threats.
- And don’t forget about the number one tip about shopping: if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.









