Five Easy Steps to Safe Online Shopping

Shopping online can be fast and convenient, but it comes with challenges and risks.
Online shopping has made it easier than ever for bad actors to steal personal data and financial information. It is important to slow down and keep a watchful eye on your personal identifiable information (PII) and financial accounts.
Here are five easy steps to help you stay safe while shopping online:
Before shopping online, ensure your devices are secure.
Keep software up to date on all internet-enabled devices to eliminate security vulnerabilities. Enable automatic software updates, if applicable. Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on your devices and accounts.
Use strong passphrases.
Use long, unique and complex passphrases for all accounts and devices. Never share passphrases over email, phone or text, especially in response to unsolicited messages.
Do business with trusted online retailers.
Research vendors to confirm that they are trusted and reputable. Only click on links in emails and texts from sources you trust.
Shop on secure networks and websites.
Only shop on private, secure Wi-Fi connections. Never use public computers or public Wi-Fi networks to shop. Only shop on trusted, secure websites.
When it’s time to pay, take extra care.
Avoid using debit cards, if possible. Check your credit card and bank statements regularly.
For additional resources, visit the ITS website: its.ny.gov/cybersecurity