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In case you need one, here is an official welcome into the holiday season.
While most are merry and bright, you still need to stay secure while shopping in person and online.
The team at Rampart AI™ has some tips to keep your shopping secure and safe.
Try to beware of the images and links your click on. If you get an email with a link to deals (even from a place you shop frequently) carefully examine the message before you click. Sometimes it is worth going directly to the merchant's website to make sure you are on a trusted page.
2. Use secure Wi-Fi:
While waiting for that cyber Monday deal to pop up, make sure you are in a place with a trusted network connection. Logging on to public Wi-Fi networks makes your device more susceptible to bad actors.
The Federal Trade Commission wrote that “Other users on the network can see what you see and send. They could hijack your session and log in as you.”
The FTC added that, if you’re on the go and don’t have the option of using a secure website, or VPN encryption, consider using your mobile data instead of Wi-Fi.
This added level of verification can keep your information secure. By adding another roadblock to any application or website with sensitive information, you are adding another wall for bad actors to try and get around.
Before you type in any credit card digits, double-check that you are on a trusted site. Things to look
out for: Does the URL make sense (everything is spelled correctly and in the correct order), and does the website look normal (is the logo what you expected, and does the scale of the website match the size of the business)? It is easy for bad actors to make spoof sites that can trick you.
Now, if you are in a store, tapping your credit card can provide a secure transaction. When you tap your card, it creates a one-time code that is difficult for fraudsters to get/use.
Important: Always monitor your credit cards for fraud.
Lastly, if you are being asked for too much information, it may be too much to give away. If you are asked for your Social Security while buying something, ask if another form of verification will do.
We all have more power in protecting our information than we think.
Works Cited:
Hebert, Amy, et al. “How to Safely Use Public Wi-Fi Networks.” Consumer Advice, 8 Nov. 2022, https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-safely-use-public-wi-fi-networks#:~:text=Public%20Wi%2DFi%20Isn't%20Secure,-When%20you're&text=If%20the%20network%20isn't,and%20log%20in%20as%20you.
“Visa Contactless Payments – Learn How to Tap to Pay.” Visa, a Trusted Leader in Digital Payments, https://usa.visa.com/pay-with-visa/contactless-payments/contactless-payments.html.
