NITA-U issues 7 security tips

NITA-U issues 7 security tips for online shopping:

1. Verify that website is legitimate: Use trusted sites when shopping online such as those most commonly used. In case you would like to use an unfamiliar website, be sure to carry out a web search (google will do) to find out sentiments and reviews from other users. Shady websites will most definitely have bad user reviews. Carrying out this verification will save you from any malicious activity.
2. Find out about the website’s consumer rights: When buying online, it's good practice to find out the basic rights offered to the consumer. At the minimum, this should include procedures for making returns (in case you need to return a product that is faulty or damaged), handling complaints, transaction charges, product price, and information on delivery timelines for the products being purchased.
3. Double-check the website’s security: The basic visible security feature to look out for is the ‘s’ within the address of the website. For example, it should read https:// with a padlock sign. This means that the log-in information you enter into the website has been secured against any unauthorized snooping. Browsers such as google chrome will label websites without that protection as ‘not secure’ so that users are warned.
4. Do not get cheated: Sometimes, cybercriminals create fraudulent or ‘fake’ websites that mimic legitimate websites in order to harvest consumer credentials and financial information. The most common trick used is to misspell a website name for example ‘jumia’ might get written as ‘jum1a’ thereby replacing i with 1. Always remember to double-check the name of the website you are accessing to confirm correct spelling within the address bar.
5. Avoid the temptation to save your information within the browser: Whereas it might seem convenient, try and avoid saving your sensitive information within the browser for ‘auto fill’ purposes. This information may be the target of cybercriminals. Be cautious when a browser prompt appears asking you to save sensitive information.
6. Mobile Apps: only down mobile apps from the google play store if you are using an android phone or Apple App Store for iOS.
7. Monitor your bank account transactions: Lastly, keep monitoring your bank account transaction history so that you are able to identify any charges that you did not authorize. This will help you put a stop to losing any other money from any fraudulent activity. You can also use this information to contact your bank for remedial guidance.