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With just 1 mouse click or 1 thumb click, you can easily order what you want anytime and anywhere. Shopping online nowadays is very convenient. However, it may be difficult to tell whether the website you visit is a legitimate or secure website. You should make sure the website is secure before placing an order online and giving your critical information.
To find out whether a website is legitimate and safe, here are some quick tips for keeping you safe while shopping online:
Look for Authentic SSL
SSL Certificates protect the entry of information on the site, without which you are at high risk of exposing your sensitive information that cyber criminals can easily access. The easiest way to search for the SSL certificate is to check the URL. If the website starts with “https,” it’s safe.
On the other hand, an HTTP site is not secure because it can only be a phishing site or a virus site. Changing your IP address can help prevent attack from unsecured websites by changing your Internet identity.
Here are the steps to check whether Google Chrome has an SSL certificate on the website:
- Open the website you want to check on e-commerce.
- Right-click the page anywhere and click Inspect.
- Go to security tab. Go to security tab.
- You are good to visit the website if it states “Certificate – valid and trusted.”
- Click “View Certificate” if you are not satisfied.
If one of the trusted authorities issued the SSL Certificate and it is valid for the current period, then the site is safe.
Check the Trust Seal Website
A confidence seal means that the website works with a security partner. Here are some examples of confidence seals:
- TRUSTe
- Verisign
- BBB Better Business Bureau (BBB)
- McAfee Secure
- PayPal Verified
- PCI DSS Compliance
The confidence seal is legitimate if you click the logo on its main page that verifies the authenticity of the seal.
Check the domain of the website
Some cyber criminals build a website to imitate an existing website. For example, Amazon is one of the leading e-commerce companies. People shop at Amazon because they know it’s a lawful website. There are cyber criminals, however, who set up an Amazon-like website. Instead of “amazon.com” as the Amazon’s main domain, cyber criminals are creating “amaz0n.com.”
You can’t tell the difference if you’re not attentive enough. This site can trick you into buying something or steal your sensitive information.
Here’s how you can avoid the imitation of a domain:
- Look at the site you’re visiting and double-check the domain. Check whether it has the correct spelling or characters, such as “o” instead of the null number.
- Click links sent to your e-mail, especially if your bank or other online stores are involved.
Type the domain into your browser to be safe, so you are sure to connect to your site.
Look for contact information on the site
Finding contact information for the website is another easy way to know that a website is safe. This is not necessarily a method that provides security, but reputable firms tend to list their information on their websites so that you can contact them if there is a product or service problem or if you need support.
Look for the information below:
- Address of the store
- Number of phone
- Address of Email
- Account for social media
You should be cautious without this information. Furthermore, if the site does not have a contact page, it should be a red flag immediately.
Find reviews of website
One of the best ways to know whether the site is safe is to read customer reviews. If you have doubts about the site, do a website search and try to enter the term “fake,” “scam,” or “negative review.” You will quickly learn whether others have had a bad experience with this website and whether or not it is lawful.
Conclusion
Online shopping is extremely convenient, but be careful before you click. Be watchful and don’t be a cybercriminal victim. Make sure the website you are visiting is legitimate before placing an order online because you can’t return it once you give your information. Use these tips to ensure that you shop on a secure website for e-commerce.
