Smart, Secure Online Holiday Shopping

As the holidays approach, many people will take to their computers to shop for online deals and the best gifts. As more consumers look to cyber stores for the holidays it is more important than ever to make sure you don’t leave yourself vulnerable to cybercrimes.

Millions of online shoppers will be entering their personal information during this time of year. This busy season is when cybercriminals strike and do what they can to fraudulently obtain your personal identification and financial details. To ensure you don’t fall victim to any of their tricks, here are a few precautions you should take:

Only Shop Secure Websites
Look for trust marks that ensure your privacy and the security of the site. Most reputable brands invest in the security of their site via these trust marks to protect users and their own reputation. Be sure to click the seals/trust marks to verify it is real and up to date. Check that the provider requires the site to pass a daily scan and read the fine print. 



Check for Encryption
If you look in the address window of your browser you will want to see a lock in front of your URL. This lets you know the site uses encryption to scramble your data. You’ll also want to make sure the address starts with https: rather than just http:. This is another indication of a secure site and the basic security you should expect when shopping online.

Consider Using 3rd Party Payment Gateways
Services like PayPal and Google Checkout allow you to set up an account with a credit card, user name and password. This allows you to checkout faster, safer and more conveniently on sites that have these payment options. Plus, all your personal information is secure in one location further eliminating the possibility of fraudulent activity. 


Check the Privacy Policy
Some sites may collect your information with the intent to share it with their partner network. This could mean being added to several emails lists and your inbox filling up with junk mail. Be sure you don’t have to share your info in order to purchase or, at the very least, that you can opt-out at any time.

MaxEXP clients don’t have to worry about Grinches stealing their holiday cheer. All MaxEXP client sites are protected with McAfee Secure Shopping. McAfee’s Total Protection for Secure Business delivers strong security to help businesses weather the storm this holiday season and safeguard their future.