Looking for a good deal? Before you shop, check out our Online Shopping Safety and Security Tips
If shopping at brick-and-mortar stores is not your thing — but you still love a good deal — then the odds are pretty good that you’re planting yourself in front of your computer to shop, especially during the holidays.
According to the Identity Theft Resource Center 2023 Annual Data Breach Report, the number of data compromises in 2023 (3,205) increased by 78 percentage points compared to 2022 (1,801). The ITRC set a new record for the number of data compromises tracked in a year, up 72 percentage points from the previous all-time high in 2021 (1,860).
Safety and Security Tips for Online Shopping
How to Protect Yourself Online
While online safety and security are things you should practice every day, now is a good time to cover a few tips for keeping you, your identity, and your money safe this holiday shopping season.
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- Stick to retailers you trust and have shopped online with before.
- Be on the lookout for “too good to be true” deals. Those $25 Adidas you found may be Adidas.
- If you haven’t shopped with a retailer before, check customer reviews.
- Don’t use public Wi-Fi to make purchases online, use a VPN for added online security.
- Ensure the URL starts with “https” and not “http.” Remember, that extra “s” means the site is safer and more secure.
- Use one credit card for all your purchases. That way, if your data is breached, you only need to worry about one credit card.
- Consider using Apple Pay or other mobile payment systems.
- Do not use your bank’s debit card. Just don’t do it. It’s easier to spot suspicious activity on your credit card, and credit card companies are generally really good at identifying and correcting fraudulent charges.
- Never trust, always verify. Your inbox is probably popping with ales offers. Most are legit, indeed, but some may only look legit. Phishing attempts are common this time of year, so whenever possible, use your browser to navigate directly to the website instead of following a link in an email.
- Mix up your passwords! Or, even better, sign up for a password manager like Keeper, LastPass or 1Password to create and manage truly unique passcodes.
- Set up an Apple iCloud Keychain for additional password protection.
- Use Passkeys, a digital credential offered as an alternative to passwords.
- Take things a step further and invest in an identity theft protection monitoring service.
About the Author
Bernard D. Gollotti, CPP, is the Founder/Owner & Principal Security Consultant of LARGO Consulting Services, LLC. Bernard’s extensive career in public safety and security includes a breadth of roles that gives him a rare 360-degree perspective. He is a self-motivated professional who worked his way up the industry, starting as a security officer and quickly rising through the ranks to hold senior and executive positions. Under his leadership, the LARGO team
LARGO Consulting Services, LLC is committed to providing safe and secure environments where you live, work, study, and play. For more information about our security consulting services, please get in touch with LARGO Consulting Services, LLC online or call 833-LARGOCS. We also invite you to connect with us on LinkedIn.