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| By: Sha - at February 28, 2013 |
How Safe is Online Shopping; What are the Risks Involved?
How Safe and Convenient Online Shopping is for You?
 The Internet has been changing the traditional ways of shopping for some times
now. The growing popularity of online shopping has caused many high street
retailers lose business across the globe. Seeing no alternative many local,
regional and international retailers, shops, etc have turned to the Internet to
provide their customers with the opportunity to shop online. Online shopping is
very fast, secure, and convenient, and can be done at any time. Yet there has
been growing concerns about the safety issue and convenience of online shopping.
The convenience of shopping from the comfort of home is being considered by many
as inconvenient as this reduces the mobility and social interactivity of people.
But general consensus is overwhelmingly in favor of online shopping as studies
and surveys reveal from time to time. The conventional shopping practice is
changing fast due to the ongoing popularity of online shopping.
Beware of Online Fraudsters and Phishing Websites
One of the biggest problems or risks when it comes to shopping online can be the
possible exposure of your personal and financial details to a third party or
online fraudsters for not using safe ways to pay online. Businesses done online
are increasing every year, reflecting the popularity of online shopping. One of
the biggest threats of online shopping is the phishing scams which can
potentially damage an online shopper’s online security by stealing money,
collecting sensitive and important personal and financial information, etc. The
online community or shoppers can reduce the risks of or fight against phishing
scams by applying some basic computer and network security applications. Some
basic knowledge of safe Internet usage can reduce and stop the risks of attacks
on people’s online security posed by online fraudsters. Choosing a safe and
secure online payment gateway or option, using a safe browser, selecting the
right vendors or sellers, and knowledge of how to use a credit card or other
payment options online can make your online shopping safe secure and exciting.
The Convenience and Advantages of Online Shopping
 The advent of the Internet has made shopping more versatile and dynamic through
online shopping. Today, most high street shops and chain retailers have online
shopping portals on the web. As online shopping is becoming popular everyday
most high street shops, retailers, boutique stores and a wide variety of other
shops have opened online shopping portals. You will be surprised to know that
even the corner shops around your house have online portals for your
convenience. The convenience of shopping from the comfort of your home makes
online shopping more convenient and enticing. You do not need to look out for
different goods or products at different places in a supermarket or any shop
looking around as you can find everything in one space when shopping online. You
can save a lot of your valuable time which you can spend with your family by
shopping online. You can do other things while shopping online at home or
workplace. You do not have to wait in a long line for ages waiting to be served
by a till operator. There are also various payment options to choose to pay for
the goods you buy online.
There is no rushing around to look for something, no noise of people at
supermarkets, and no wandering about without a clue on what to do or buy. There
are no pressure sales approached by sales people online. The impact of the
Internet on our everyday life is tremendously prevalent today. The presence of
companies, shops, businesses, and even government offices on the web is so
obvious that today the growing popularity in online shopping is seen as a safe
and convenient activity.
The Disadvantages of Online Shopping
Online shopping is not without flaws as you may come across some problems when
shopping online. You cannot touch a product online to have a feel of the
product. Many shoppers or customers can be very dissatisfied when they find that
the goods delivered to their home are not of the expected quality they thought
when purchasing online. You cannot try things on which is a big disadvantage. If
you want to change or return/cancel the goods or products you bought from an
online shopping portal, you will need to send the goods by yourself.
Alternatively, you have to wait for the home delivery services of the company to
come to your home at a given time agreed upon by the company and you to collect
the goods. The whole process may seem to you inconvenient for you if you have to
do an important thing or attend to a more serious business at the mutually
agreed given time. Changing or returning a product is fast and convenient if you
physically visit the store where you bought the product from.
How to Shop Online Safely?
 You should always check out if the shopping portal or online shop you want to
visit to purchase goods online is recommended by general people, consumers
association of your local area or region, etc. Check out reliable review
websites to find out of the online shop is legitimate or not. Do some research
reading reviews on the shopping portal that you are going to use to shop online.
Always transact on a SSL supported website and see if the payment web page has
// at the beginning of the web address of the site. Do not navigate any
shopping sites through third parties or hyperlinks and banner ads. Use a safe
and up to date web browser. Do not become victimized by phishing websites.
Always use a very trusted antivirus software and network security software on
your computer.
Conclusion
People are more concerned about their privacy and security than ever in the
history. Online shopping is safe and convenient if you know what are the
security threats or worries prevailing out there. There are options to protect
your personal and financial details from the hands of online fraudsters. There
are effective precautions that you can take to make sure that your online
shopping and transaction are safe and secure. In essence, despite the presence
of scammers and fraudsters on the Internet, online shopping is generally a safe
and convenient activity. If you have chosen a genuine and legitimate online
shopping portal, you can expect that your privacy and online safety will be
protected by the site. Yet try to select a safe and secure option to pay so that
your financial details are not passed to the merchant. In spite of some
disadvantages and security threats online shopping is very convenient and a safe
activity.
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