Black Friday is just around the corner and South African shoppers are looking forward to enjoying some excellent bargains from some of their favourite retailers. If you would like to take advantage of the special deals that will be rolled at Clicks on November 29ththis year, but want to avoid the long queues in store, a great option is to shop online.
Feeling a little hesitant to make digital purchases? It is easy to understand why – there are so many stories about online fraud doing the rounds these days. However, if you follow a few simple guidelines it is possible to keep your identity and banking details safe while you shop online. Here are a few top tips:
Check that the site you’re using is secure
You can do so by looking at the lock image on the toolbar up at the top of your screen, next to the name of the website, and the URL. Also make sure that there is an 's' in the URL after 'http://'. It should read https://is the site is secure and has measures in place to scramble your data when you enter it.
Shop from a safe Wi-Fi connection
Never shop from a public Wi-Fi connection. Ideally you want to be shopping in the comfort of your own home, using your own internet connection, far from any prying eyes that may be looking at your credit card as you enter your details. Be vigilant.
Create strong passwords
In this day and age, ‘ABC123’ or ‘password’ is not going to hack it. Create a strong, original password (upper case, lower case, letters, special characters -mix it up!) for every e-commerce site you use and keep note of it somewhere offline, or using a secure password manager tool.
Keep your antivirus software up to date
An antivirus program is no longer a nice to have – if you want to keep your identity and financial information safe while you surf the web, you have to invest in a reputable antivirus program like McAfee or AVG and be sure to accept and install any updates that may be required.
Use two-factor authentication
If you want to stay secure online, the OTP (one-time pin) is your best buddy. Two-factor authentication requires that you enter your password as well as a one-time pin that is sent to a secondary device, usually via an SMS to your cell phone. This is done using Verified by VISA and Mastercard Secure Code.
There you have it – five top tips to keep you safe and sound while you shop online. Are you gearing up enjoy some great savings on Black Friday this year? Keep an eye on our social pages for more info on the Black Friday deals that will be available online and instore at Clicks branches throughout the country. In the meantime, remember to register your details so you can enjoy a seamless online shopping experience on November 29th!
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