Online stores: Eyes open!
Online shopping is in vogue. But where there is a lot of demand, fraudsters are not far away. There are warnings against fake stores. Here are five tips to keep in mind.
"Fraudsters advertise special offers in fake online stores that buyers never receive," warns Thomas Uhlemann, Security Specialist at ESET. "Instead, in the worst case, the account and credit card are still plundered and you are left empty-handed." To better recognize fake stores and avoid cyber fraudsters, the security specialist has summarized five tips:
1. take a closer look at the store
Before buying, you should take a close look at the online stores and the payment systems they offer. It is essential to ensure a secure connection - i.e. the data should be transmitted in encrypted form. Users can recognize this relatively easily by the padlock in the browser and the abbreviation "https" in the address bar. In addition, online shoppers should check whether the correct domain is visible in the address bar. Otherwise, it could be a fake of the original store and the payment data entered will then end up with cyber thieves.
2. is the offer too good to be true?
If the offer is too good to be true, shoppers should be alert, because it is usually a case of product fakes or fake stores. Even when the season changes, price reductions of 80 or 90 percent are rather unusual. If you are unsure, do some research on the Internet to see if the supplier is not already known as a black sheep.
3. also on Amazon & Co. applies: Eyes on!
But scammers also lurk on regular sales platforms, such as Amazon and Co. How can buyers recognize these black sheep? Often, the items on offer can only be ordered after prior contact by e-mail and cannot be added directly to the shopping cart as is usually the case. A second indication, at which the alarm bells should ring immediately: If the provider wants to leverage the payment methods offered by the platform operator. Often, the scammers lure customers with additional discounts when they pay in advance. Instead of the hoped-for bargain, buyers are usually left sitting on the financial damage.
4. no imprint? No purchase!
Online stores must provide their company name, address and contact details. If these are missing - fingers off! If the store also seems strange in other respects, the imprint details and the name are also good terms to use a search engine to check whether there are complaints or warnings about the store.
5. secure your system!
In general, online shoppers should always keep their operating system and browser up to date and install updates immediately. Known security gaps can then no longer be exploited by cyber attackers. The use of a powerful security solution with virus protection, firewall and real-time protection should be mandatory on PC, laptop, smartphone and tablet. This is the only way to effectively protect your credentials from malicious code attacks.
"If you follow these tips, you can also stay relaxed when shopping online," says Uhlemann. "An antivirus solution is a must in any case, so that access data cannot be read by computer malware."
