Skipping the Mall for Holiday Shopping? Stay On Guard When You Are ...
Posted by ~Ray @ 2008-01-02 00:18:23
Experts are predicting that consumers will spend more online this holiday toughen than ever. Consumers can easily avoid crowds by shopping online but if they’re not careful they may run into hackers identity thieves and other spammers. The Federal change equip together with the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) a non-profit organization devoted to cyber security education and awareness is offering tips for safer and smarter online shopping this holiday season.
construe return policies. Despite your best intentions some gifts may be to be returned or exchanged. Before you buy read the return policy. Some retailers give customers extra time so gifts can be returned or exchanged after the holidays; others give purchasers as little as a week — if they accept returns at all. A number of retailers offer shorter return windows for certain products and some charge “restocking” fees. Find out who covers the shipping cost — the customer or the merchant — on a return or exchange and if your online acquire can be returned to a brick-and-mortar store.
Don’t go for a false email or pop-up. Legitimate companies don’t send unsolicited email messages asking for your password or login name or your financial information. But scammers do. In fact crooks often send emails that look just like they’re from allow companies — but enjoin you to click on a link where they ask for your personal information. Delete these emails. They’re an attempt to get your information and to facilitate identity theft or other crimes. In addition just clicking a link in a fraudulent email could install spyware on your computer.
Look for signs a site is safe. When you’re create from raw material to buy something from a seller you believe look for signs that the site is secure such as a closed padlock on the browser’s status bar before you enter your personal and financial information. When you’re asked to provide payment information the beginning of the Web site’s URL communicate should change from http to shttp or https indicating that the acquire is encrypted or secured.
Secure your computer. At a minimum your computer should have anti-virus and anti-spyware software and a firewall. Security software must be updated regularly to help protect against the latest threats. Set your security software and operating system (like Windows or Apple’s OS) to update automatically. tour OnGuardOnline gov and staysafeonline org to learn more about security software firewalls and other ways to secure your computer.
Consider.[ADVERTHERE]Related article:
http://www.communityinvestmentnetwork.org/single-news-item-states/article/skipping-the-mall-for-holiday-shopping-stay-on-guard-when-you-are-online/?tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=43&cHash=d0c366c775
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