In this technologically advanced world, all kinds of commercial transactions now take place on the internet and customers can shop using a range of devices. Online businesses are doing their best to make sure online shopping experiences match in-shopping experiences.

This includes providing customers with detailed product descriptions and images. Now, you’ll easily find more details and product descriptions from the comfort of your home. This includes advancements such as 360-degree product views and model size details for online clothing stores.

Online shopping has grown in popularity as a result of the convenience of making purchases at the comfort of your home and next-day delivery to getting great deals and an endless catalog of purchasable items.

While the increased availability of online shopping is convenient, it also makes it more lucrative for scammers to trick buyers into paying for goods they won’t receive or obtain their personal information for financial gain. There are internet fraudsters waiting for customers to enter their card information into fake or insecure payment platforms so that they can have access to your financial information.

There are several ways you can protect yourself and enjoy maximum security and satisfaction from online shopping. Here are some of the ways you can protect yourself.

USE PROTECTIVE SOFTWARE

It is very necessary to shield your devices with strong antivirus software which has extra features to defend your devices and network against malware and identity theft. Installation of good antivirus software and Phishing filter would do the work of warning against suspicious websites that engage in ‘phishing’ or tricking online consumers into giving out their personal details.

Having a combination of personal vigilance, a firewall and regular updates on protective tools adds to the necessary defense to keep your devices safe cannot be overemphasized.

USE ONLY SECURE WEBSITES

Some websites are insecure and are often perfectly masked as secure. It’s important that as a user you watch out for certain signs that indicate whether or not the site is secure. One of the features of a secure site is the image of a ‘locked’ icon situated either on the address bar or status bar below the web browser.

That icon indicates that the website has Secure Socket Layer (SSL) which is a standard security technology that ensures that all data passed between the web server and browser remains private and integral.  You should also choose to use more familiar and popular sites for your online shopping because you are less likely to be defrauded on a site you already know the layouts.

DON’T SHOP IN PUBLIC

Don’t conduct online transactions on public devices, some public devices save your details exposing your details to the next person who uses the computer. If you are using a public computer, you should always log out and also disable the auto-fill feature on web browsers.

USE EXTRA SECURITY

There are several programs and payment platforms you can use when shopping online that secures your information. They protect you behind the scenes when shopping by asking you to occasionally verify if it’s you. Having a strong password is also a way to secure your information. Don’t use regular and easy to get names. You should have a mix of letters (both uppercase and lowercase), numbers, and symbols.

Know Your Rights As A Consumer

Whenever you buy something, be it a product or a service, either physically or online, you have rights. Knowing your rights can help if what you have paid for does not meet your expectations or is faulty.

As a business owner who would like to move your business from a physical store to an online store where people can shop from the comfort of their homes, you need a secure website. Your website must not only be secure but must also be easily navigated so that your visitor can comfortably shop.

At listed hosting, we have many years of experience in building and hosting a website including registration of a domain name; we are committed to helping your business grow at an affordable rate.