Bitdefender, the world's leading computer security and antivirus software company, offers us tips for shopping online safely as Black Friday and Cyber Monday are upon us. During this period there are many cybercriminals, who exploit people's ignorance to profit from it. F.shopping online safely is possible, just follow a few simple rules, that Bitdefender illustrates.
Six times more spam emails are sent every day than legitimate emails, and around 75% of them end up in people's inboxes. About one in 10 spam emails are dangerous, so it's easy to see just how risky the online landscape is.
Events such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday add even more criticality to this situation as during this time of year, according to data collected by the security company Bitdefender, the amount of spam increases, and people, attracted by promises of discounts , they are more likely to open potentially malicious emails and links. Suddenly, social networks and emails are flooded with sensational sales offers, too good to be true, and that's usually the case.
The ideal would be to install security software on mobile devices and PCs, but not everyone has one. To reduce the risk of falling into a phishing or credit card theft attempt, Bitdefender has compiled a list of suggestions:
- Visit only known websites. The best deals sometimes come from stores you've never heard of, and that usually hides a reason. For example, the company behind the website may not exist, and any details that are provided may end up in the hands of a third party who may attempt to access your online accounts.
- Use only websites with HTTPS address. Online shopping usually involves sharing sensitive information with websites, and the data sent over HTTP is not encrypted. A cybercriminal can steal your data if the online store is not secure.
- Pay close attention to links in emails and social networks. Phishing is the most common way to get personal information from people, and criminals use websites that look a lot like what you're looking for.
- Only connect to secure networks. Unsecured Wi-Fi connections are a potential source of information for attackers who want to intercept personal data. In case you are shopping online on a secure website, you are still sending a lot of data over an unknown Wi-Fi network. If you really need to use a connection, it is recommended that you use at least one VPN.
- Use two-factor authentication for accounts and financial transactions. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) and two-factor authentication (2FA) are great ways to secure a bank account. Even if someone were to get hold of your credentials for a service, they would also need access to your phone or email. Securing financial transactions with multi-factor authentication (MFA) is equally important.
- Strong passwords are always a good solution. TOEven if you're tired of hearing this tip, you should still consider using strong passwords, especially for online stores. Best of all, don't use the same password on multiple websites.
- Set up the notification service on your credit cards. If you don't already use this service, consider activating it. Most banks offer this feature, sometimes for free. When using a stolen credit card, people get instant notifications, which makes it much easier to track the thieves and then stop them.
- Keep an eye out for phishing. Companies and entities never request personal or financial data on the Internet. An online service that claims it needs this type of information is most likely a phishing attempt.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are supposed to be pleasant experiences, and they can remain so by adhering to these simple rules. And remember, when a discount is too good to be true, it probably isn't!
