Gifts
Gifts
Gifts
The ecommerce world has gone from strength to strength since the Covid-19 pandemic. With lockdowns and other restrictions now things of the past, the popularity of online shopping has continued to soar, with the latest statistics stating that 86.7% of all UK shoppers would shop online in total.
The increased popularity of online stores enables consumers to harness a number of perks, with quality goods at an affordable price able to be purchased at the click of a button and benefitting from super-fast delivery straight to your door. In the same breath, the rise of online shopping has unlocked opportunities for other, less savoury characters like fraudsters.
In light of increasing online fraud, taking the steps you need to shop online safely and securely has never been so important. Read on to discover our top tips for shopping online with safety and security in mind.
While scouring the market to find the best value products for your budget is simple online, you should never take the website or its seller at face value. Do your research to ensure who you want to do business with is legitimate.
Use independent online review platforms to find out more about other customers’ experiences, keeping your eyes peeled for negative feedback.
In addition to reviewing an online store’s reputation through reviews and other research, make sure the website itself is fully secure.
Every website you shop with should have the padlock sign in the left-hand corner of the address bar. Make sure this padlock leads to a valid site certificate. Its web address should also begin with ‘https://’. If any of these factors are missing, err on the side of caution and shop elsewhere.
Your computer or smartphone should be equipped for safe online shopping. Your anti-virus software should be active and up-to-date. When signing up for accounts on retail websites, be sure to use good password hygiene.
You need a strong password consisting of upper case, lower case, number and special characters, which is unique, not used across several websites.
The Wi-Fi you are using should also be secure. Avoid purchasing goods online if you are using a public network, such as those readily available and accessible in coffee shops, shopping outlets and eateries.
Any activity that involves the transaction of personal information (i.e. shopping online or logging into online banking) should be avoided.
Shop safely and securely right here at Look4Gifts.