How to Shop Safely Online

Many people will purchase gifts online this year. Making sure you are protected from fraud and identity theft is important. These tips will help you determine the best way to stay safe while shopping online.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Don't use the links in email advertisements, even for trusted websites. Many times hackers will make up a fake ad for people to be lead to giving personal information. Instead, go to the website through a search engine, or by typing the name directly into the address bar of your browser.
2. Once on a website look for the SSL (Secure Socket Layer) logo. This just means the site uses a secure page for checkout. This keeps the buyer safe from hackers who are looking for personal information.
3. Purchase from websites that are large, not unknown sites with small inventory. The larger the inventory, the more secure the checkout process.
4. Never ever give out passwords over the phone or on the Internet. If a website needs your password, they will ask you to go to the site and log in, not follow a link to log in.