By Kindersley Social
DON’T use public Wi-Fi for online shopping. You have no idea what the security settings are for free Wi-Fi, so the potential risk of someone snooping on traffic and discovering credit card numbers and passwords is very real.
DON’T have your phone memorise passwords. It might seem convenient to have the passwords for your favourite online stores stored on your phone, but that makes it simple for someone else to use your phone for shopping. Aside from the risk of theft, it’s too easy to hand your phone to a child to distract them and then discover they’ve spent a fortune on apps (or shoes). Also, make sure that you have set up your phone with a password or fingerprint recognition, so it can’t be used for shopping if it’s stolen.
DO use different passwords for every retailer. Yes, it’s annoying to have to remember different passwords. But it’s also annoying to discover that your favourite store has been hacked, and that criminals now have a password that will work on every store you use (and possibly your bank account as well). Minimise the risk by choosing different passwords for every store.
DO use official retailer apps when possible. Using a custom-built app from a retailer will minimise the amount of information you have to enter when ordering, and is usually a more secure choice than using your mobile browser.
DO regularly check your credit card statements. Make sure you check the statement so you can spot any unauthorised transactions. There’s no excuse not to, especially since you can use your bank’s official app to do so! Set a recurring appointment in your phone calendar so you don’t forget.
