Madison Senior Center

Our Top 5 Online Shopping Tips

1. Avoid using public Wi-Fi for online shopping. Public Wi-Fi networks can be very dangerous, especially during the holiday season. Public Wi-Fi networks are easy to spoof, potentially granting hackers access to your private information (usernames, passwords, texts, emails, credit card numbers, etc.). Verify the public Wi-Fi networks in your vicinity before connecting.
2. Look for the lock symbol on websites. The lock symbol and URLs beginning with “https” indicate that the website uses encryption to protect your data. The lock may appear in the URL bar, or elsewhere in your browser.
3. Do product research. If the deal is too good to be true, then it may be a scam. Research the product from multiple retailers to get a sense of the product’s average cost. Check out Reseller Ratings for company reviews and customer experiences.
4. Ask about single-use credit card numbers. Many banks are now offering a single-use credit card number for online shopping. If the credit card number becomes exposed, is cannot be used again. Check with your bank or credit card company to see if this is an option for you.
5. Keep your computer secure. Keep your computer as clean and secure as possible for online shopping by updating your anti-virus software and applying the suggested software patches. Never save usernames, passwords or credit card information in your browser and periodically clear your offline content, cookies and history.