How can you protect your online shopping privacy?

1 Use a reputable and secure website

Before you enter your credit card number or other sensitive information, make sure you are on a legitimate and secure website. Look for the padlock icon and the https:// prefix in the address bar, which indicate that the site uses encryption to protect your data. Avoid clicking on links from emails, pop-ups, or social media that may lead you to fake or phishing websites that mimic the real ones. Always type the URL of the site you want to visit or use a trusted search engine or bookmark.

2 Use a strong and unique password

One of the most common ways that hackers can access your online accounts is by guessing or cracking your password. To prevent this, use a strong and unique password for each site you shop on. A strong password should be at least 12 characters long, include a mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols, and avoid any personal or obvious information. A unique password means that you do not use the same password for multiple sites, especially those that store your payment details. You can use a password manager to help you create and remember your passwords.

3 Use a VPN or a private browser

Your ISP can see and record everything you do online, including what sites you visit, what products you buy, and what information you enter. This can compromise your privacy and expose you to targeted ads, price discrimination, or even identity theft. To prevent this, you can use a virtual private network (VPN) or a private browser to hide your online activity from your ISP and other third parties. A VPN encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a secure server in another location, making it appear as if you are browsing from there. A private browser blocks trackers, cookies, and scripts that can collect your data and profile your behavior.

5 Review your statements and receipts

After you make an online purchase, you should always review your statements and receipts to make sure everything is correct and authorized. Check your email for a confirmation email from the seller, and verify the amount, date, and details of your order. Check your credit card or bank statement for any unusual or suspicious charges, and report them to your provider immediately. Keep your receipts and invoices in a safe place, and compare them with your statements regularly. If you notice any discrepancies, errors, or fraud, contact the seller and your provider as soon as possible.

6 Update your software and devices

One of the easiest ways to protect your online shopping privacy is to keep your software and devices updated and secure. Hackers and scammers can exploit vulnerabilities and flaws in outdated or unpatched software and devices to access your data or infect your system with malware. To prevent this, you should always update your operating system, browser, antivirus, firewall, and other applications to the latest version. You should also use a secure and reliable device to shop online, and avoid using public or shared computers or networks that may be compromised or monitored.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?