[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/univista.com\/posts\/the-ping-online-shopping-and-the-holiday-season\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/univista.com\/posts\/the-ping-online-shopping-and-the-holiday-season\/","headline":"The Ping: Online Shopping and the Holiday Season","name":"The Ping: Online Shopping and the Holiday Season","description":"Are you holiday shopping online? Or do you shop online regularly? Check out our tips and tricks on how to stay safe this holiday season!","datePublished":"2019-12-23","dateModified":"2020-08-07","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/univista.com\/posts\/author\/corie-bogan\/#Person","name":"Corie Bogan","url":"https:\/\/univista.com\/posts\/author\/corie-bogan\/","identifier":5,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/1cc33ae534ef31a23f9281fa0d638eb45e31ff2282dc8fabaf8cec72af5f1961?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/1cc33ae534ef31a23f9281fa0d638eb45e31ff2282dc8fabaf8cec72af5f1961?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UniVista","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/univista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Univista-Logo-e1522352689794.png","url":"https:\/\/univista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Univista-Logo-e1522352689794.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/univista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Holiday-Shopping-scaled.jpg","url":"https:\/\/univista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Holiday-Shopping-scaled.jpg","height":1365,"width":2048},"url":"https:\/\/univista.com\/posts\/the-ping-online-shopping-and-the-holiday-season\/","about":["planning","safety","Security","smart devices","The Ping","vulnerability"],"wordCount":822,"keywords":["2fa","amazon","cybersecurity","holiday shopping","multi-factor authentication"],"articleBody":"ShareTweet                                        As the holidays draw close, and the stores get more and more crowded, shopping online may seem like the best solution. And for some, shopping online always seems like the solution! So to help protect yourself all while avoiding the congestion, UniVista has put together some helpful tips to protect yourself in any shopping season.  Should I Buy Online Before purchasing from a website because it has the best deal, make sure to research their credibility. Some scammers will list fake discounts to obtain peoples\u2019 credit card information when they attempt to make a purchase. You should still make sure that the site itself is valid. UniVista\u00a0suggests only shopping through trusted websites.\u00a0One thing to look for is at the top of the webpage, in the address bar, a small padlock will appear on a protected site. Website addresses that use\u00a0https:\/\/\u00a0(versus\u00a0http:\/\/) are considered secure because the interaction with the site is encrypted. It does not always mean the site is safe however, just that the connection to the site is secure.\u00a0Look to see if the domain is spelled correctly.\u00a0https:\/\/www.amazon.com\u00a0\u2013 this is a known online retailer.\u00a0https:\/\/www.amaz0n.com\u00a0\u2013 this is a \u201clook alike\u201d website; it is likely phishing for your amazon account credentials and card information.\u00a0  If you don\u2019t feel safe \u2013 LEAVE the site!\u00a0Learn more tips on National Cybersecurity Alliance\u2019s article –\u00a0Online Holiday Shopping.\u00a0 I Love to Purchase Online Purchasing gifts and other items online is an easy way avoid the holiday traffic. This might be a convenient way for you to do\u00a0the majority of\u00a0your shopping.\u00a0UniVista\u00a0believes these helpful hints will keep you safe before and after you make any purchases.\u00a0\u00a0Passwords: make them complex and change them often!\u00a0If you feel that you\u2019ve compromised an account while shopping online, CHANGE YOUR PASSWORD IMMEDIATELY!\u00a0\u00a0Check out\u00a0The Ping: Security In Public Places\u00a0for more password tips.\u00a0Only purchase\/download apps from your manufacturer\u2019s designated \u201cstore\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0  This is particularly important for Android, as Apps can be installed by clicking internet links. If you want to use an app, search for it in Google Play.\u00a0Don\u2019t reuse passwords for multiple apps!\u00a0  Use multi-factor authentication for apps that contain sensitive information.\u00a0\u00a0Don\u2019t access confidential information on a public\u00a0WiFi. Consider a personal VPN if you will often be connected to public\u00a0WiFi\u00a0hot spots.\u00a0\u00a0Check out more Do\u2019s and Don\u2019ts of Cybersecurity on\u00a0The Ping: Personal Cell Phone Security\u00a0UniVista\u00a0thinks checking your\u00a0bank statements regularly will help you find out quickly\u00a0whether or not\u00a0your\u00a0account has been compromised. Shipping Gifts We\u2019ve all heard about the increased rate at which packages are being stolen off of people\u2019s front porches in the past couple of years. These \u201cporch pirates\u201d drive around neighborhoods looking for packages that they can quickly grab and go. Here are a few ways you can keep your packages from falling victim: Amazon Lockers\u00a0\u2013 When making your purchase on Amazon, look for the nearest Amazon locker instead of using your home address. You can go and pick up your items using a provided key code.\u00a0Amazon Key\u00a0\u2013 Sign up for Amazon Key. The key kit\u2019s price starts at around $250, but it gives you a smart key and a security camera that allows the Amazon delivery driver to leave your packages just inside your door.\u00a0Buy online & Pickup in Store\u00a0\u2013 Many businesses will now give you the option of purchasing an item and picking it up in store.\u00a0\u00a0Learn more at\u00a0The Ping: Staying Safe in the Holiday Season\u00a0Using or losing a credit card\u2026 When making your purchases, use a credit card with fraud protection. Keep an eye on your account and report any fraudulent charges quickly!\u00a0According to Federal Law,\u00a0\u201cyour liability for unauthorized use of your credit card tops out at $50. However, if you report the loss before your credit card is used, the FCBA says you are not responsible for any charges you didn\u2019t authorize. If your credit card number is stolen, but not the card, you are not liable for unauthorized use.\u201d\u00a0If you use a debit card, your liability depends on how soon you report the fraud and could be a lot higher.\u00a0 PayPal offers an alternate payment method, rather than inputting your credit card numbers into a seller\u2019s site directly. It also offers a nice return policy for eligible items purchased through them. \u201cReturn shipping on us to get refunded for up to $30 on 12 eligible purchases a year.\u201d \u2013\u00a0PayPal.\u00a0For more helpful hints, take a look at\u00a0The Ping: Staying Safe In The Holiday Season. As always, let us know if you have any questions!\u00a0\u00a0Happy Holidays from Your UniVista Team*Celebrating 20+ Years of Customer Satisfaction* ShareTweet                                        "},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Posts","item":"https:\/\/univista.com\/posts\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"The Ping: Online Shopping and the Holiday Season","item":"https:\/\/univista.com\/posts\/the-ping-online-shopping-and-the-holiday-season\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]