Take Care While Christmas Shopping Online [Sherman's Security Blog]
If you haven't yet completed your holiday shopping list, it's getting close to the eleventh hour. Most online retailers still are offering delivery options that will still arrive on time, but time to take advantage of those offers is getting short. Online shopping can be a good option for getting those last minute gifts, but there are potential pitfalls to avoid. Sherman, Insight's head of security, has offered up several good tips on his blog for completing gift purchases online while protecting your financial information.
Sherman's tips include shopping with well-known online retailers, avoiding the Internet's back alley sales. Shopping at obscure online retailers increases the risk that a site isn't actually a retailer but a front for stealing credit card details. By the way, using a credit card, rather than other payment options, increases your legal protections against loss should a site not turn out to be legitimate, according to Sherman.
Sherman also recommends shopping at U.S. based online retailers to avoid losing the protections afforded by domestic customer protection laws, shopping each site with unique passwords, and keeping an eye on the security protections afforded by each retailer's web site. Make sure that the payment information exchanged between you and online retail sites is transferred through an encrypted connection.
Sherman's blog is a great source for tips on keeping your online experience a safe and enjoyable one. Best of luck with your last-minute holiday gift shopping.
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