Safe and Secure Holiday Shopping

The Holiday season is finally here! Soft falling snow makes the world more peaceful, beautiful and white. People are enthusiastically shopping for gifts for loved ones. Children are becoming more and more excited with each passing day as they think of Santa’s inevitable visit.

Perhaps you are one of those who have procrastinated your holiday shopping.  We all procrastinate for different reasons. Sometimes we don’t feel like we have enough money to get what we really want. Sometimes we don’t feel like we have enough time do research and some of us don’t feel safe shopping for the items we want to give. Sometimes we’re afraid to give the wrong gift – especially to our spouses and significant others.

This time of year, most retail outlets are insanely busy and most roads are jam packed. This is why I do most of my holiday shopping online.

Shopping online is simple and easy. You can do it in your pajamas! But it’s not stress free. Although you don’t have to worry about someone stealing your presents as you’re walking out with them or while they are in your car as you are purchasing more, some online shopping outlets can be just as dangerous. While you are online shopping for the newest, coolest presents, hackers are online trying to access your personal information and steal your identity and your money.

Computer hackers are everywhere and they are certainly good at what they do (which is being bad). But sadly, some online business owners are also in the business of purporting to offer an expensive, coveted gift, and then providing you with a cheap knock-off.

Here are some steps to protect you from online scrooges:

Make sure the websites you visit display a Business Verification Seal. This will prove to you that the company is a legitimate business that you will be able to contact should you have any issues with your purchase.

Make sure the websites you visit have a Security Scanning Seal. This seal demonstrates that the website is safe and free from vulnerabilities that hackers use to access websites and remove information that you as a consumer have provided such as your email, phone, and credit card information.

Check to ensure that the websites you visit have an active SSL certificate so that your credit card information is taken from the website and sent to the merchant bank in a safe, reliable manner.

Another way to stay protected is to keep your computer and your software programs up-to-date. Use the newest and best network security systems, and stay protected. If you have a virus, fix your computer immediately to avoid future viruses and hackers. Also keep all pop ups blocked. Pop-ups are generally hackers trying to get onto your web screen, so don’t let them.

Whether you bravely visit retail outlets or do your last-minute shopping online, be safe out there!