It’s almost Black Friday and Cyber Monday – and many retailers have already started their sales. It’s the perfect opportunity to grab a bargain while shopping online, but also a time to be mindful of cyber safety.Here are some steps you can take to stay safe online this shopping season and beyond:
Get wise to home Wi-Fi
If you’re shopping from the comfort of home, there are several ways to make your Wi-Fi more secure. Make sure it can only be accessed with a password, change the default password it comes with, and alter the password periodically. You can also encrypt your Wi-Fi, choosing an up-to-date type of encryption for better security. If guests use your Wi-Fi consider creating a separate guest network for them, to protect your data and electronic devices.
Shop safely on the go
The safest way to shop online is using a secure Wi-Fi network that few can access, which you may have at home (see above!). However, many of us hop onto public Wi-Fi when we’re out and about, so we can shop on the go. You can improve the safety of public Wi-Fi with a few simple steps:
- Use a legitimate Wi-Fi network
Before you access a network, check it’s legitimate and not a fake one. There have been many cases of hackers creating fake Wi-Fi networks that at first glance look like legitimate ones. If several similar-sounding networks appear when you search for Wi-Fi, make sure you pick the official one. If you can, confirm the name is correct with someone linked to the organisation whose Wi-Fi you’re using, like a librarian in the library or a waiter at a coffee shop. - Choose a secure network
Public Wi-Fi can be secured or unsecured. Seek out the former if possible. Secure Wi-Fi networks will require you to log in for extra security. - Be safe with sensitive data
Browse online shops when you’re out but it’s safest to wait until you’re home or using your phone’s data to make a purchase. This avoids sensitive data – such as bank details – being shared on public Wi-Fi.
Get a good deal of data
Choose a phone contract or deal that offers you a generous amount of data. If you have plenty of data, you won’t need to access public Wi-Fi and can shop more securely on your phone. Shopping on other devices? You can use them to connect to your phone’s hotspot rather than accessing public Wi-Fi. Make sure you secure your phone’s hotspot too.
Choose websites wisely
Whether you’re shopping at home or out and about, be mindful of the websites you’re using. It can be tempting to grab a bargain without checking if a website is safe – pause for a moment to consider this. We’d recommend only visiting websites that start with ‘https’ (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) rather than ‘http’ (Hypertext Transfer Protocol). This means you can browse the website securely, as any data you submit is encrypted and can’t be seen by hackers. Check the start of the web address or look out for a closed padlock to the left of the address.
Install anti-virus software
It’s always a good idea to install anti-virus software on your devices to prevent cyber security threats. Your devices may come with anti-virus software, but third-party software is arguably more secure. Don’t forget to carry out regular virus checks and make sure you update your anti-virus software too.
Pick strong passwords
Pick strong passwords when setting up accounts on online shops. Many websites will request that your password is a certain length and includes letters, numbers and characters to increase security. If they don’t, create a password that’s long and features these things. Also consider changing your password periodically for added security. Always forgetting passwords? We hear you! There’s plenty of password management software where you can save your passwords. Check out LastPass, NordPass and Dashlane.
Keep your files secure with Exaactly
Exaactly offers secure online storage, where you can keep a range of digital documents in a variety of file formats. When you set up an Exaactly account you’ll get a free digital locker, where you can upload content. You can then set up Exaactly addresses linked to different groups of content. Your files can be made public (open to anyone with your Exaactly address or QR code) or private (only accessible with a password, for extra peace of mind). We’d always recommend password protecting any sensitive files.