Do you want to make an online purchase but doubt that the website is secure? See how to know if an online website is safe to buy and do so with complete confidence.
Online purchases are increasingly popular as they allow you to make purchases of almost any product from the comfort of your home and receive them at your door.
To begin with, an online store or virtual store is a form of commerce that is carried out through a website or a computer application connected to the internet.
In these online stores we can see images of the products offered, read their specifications and, if we wish, buy with Bitcoin, Paypal safely and quickly, or also obtain them by credit card, bank transfers, among others.
However, although so far everything sounds very striking, the truth is that, as this type of commerce grows, so do online stores that seek to scam customers.
It is convenient then, especially now, that we be very attentive to the signs that may indicate that an online shopping page is not secure, and thus not lose our money.
Next, we will point out some tips that you can take into account before making a purchase in any online store so that it is successful and safe.
Use a secure WIFI network
The WIFI networks available in public places for free are not secure, we do not know who operates them and behind it, cyber criminals who seek to steal private information can hide.
Due to this, it is recommended that you make your purchases online only when you are connected to a private WIFI network , as you will need to enter payment information and your address.
However, if you need to make a purchase and at the moment you do not have a private WiFi network, there are ways to protect yourself to surf safely when using a Public WiFi network.
Check the web page
There are characteristics within a web page that you can observe to know if this is, or not, a reliable page to make your purchases, be very observant before buying.
To begin, check that the URL of the page begins with an ” https ” and not with an “http”, the letter “s” means that you are on a safe web page to navigate .
In addition to this, see if a padlock appears in the address bar of the browser, right next to “https”, this guarantees that you are on a secure web page.
Find information about the online store where you want to buy, see what reputation it has and what those who have recently bought think about it, so you will avoid scams and protect your digital identity on the internet in a safe way.
If you received an advertisement in your mail or on your networks and it seems tempting, be suspicious; These links can lead you to a fraudulent page looking to steal bank details.
If you want to enter the ad page, it is best to write the web address directly in the address bar of your browser, so you will be more protected.
If the page is new or you have no references on it, verify that there is a contact number or email where you can call or write a message.
Knowing who is behind that website is very important, so if you do not get a satisfactory response when contacting them, it is best to find another, safer online store.
Make sure that the online store where you want to make your purchase allows you to consult their privacy policies and read the returns clause carefully to avoid fraudulent acts.
Be cautious
If you receive an unrealistic offer, compare the prices with those of other well-known and reputable stores, if the price difference is huge it may be a deception.
On the other hand, if the online store claims that the sales on its products are due to special promotions such as “Black Friday”, check that there are, indeed, discount seasons.
Also, never neglect your personal information or bank details , or provide more information than is strictly necessary, being unsuspecting in these aspects can be dangerous.
Likewise, when creating a password for your internet accounts and for your cards, make sure to use at least 6 characters, using capital letters, letters and numbers.
Finally, check the movements of your cards and bank accounts frequently , in this way you can detect if there is any fraud and report it immediately to the bank.
