5 Tips for Online Smartphone Shopping Nobody Tells You About
The new Flipkart app is pretty amazing, isn’t it? If you haven’t tried it out as yet, you definitely should. However, there are several things you need to keep in mind when you make an online purchase through your smartphone.
Most people wrongly believe that smartphones are malware free and carry little to no danger with regards to data theft. However, once you start making online purchases through your mobile device, there are several safety precautions that you do need to keep in mind.
How to stay secured while making online purchases through your smartphone
Always shop through official apps
When it comes to online shopping, your credit/debit card details are your most crucial assets. These need to remain secure and the best way to achieve this is by shopping through official apps that are released by credible online shopping portals. Though these apps do not provide complete and guaranteed security, they are the safest modes for carrying out online purchases. So instead of going to the Flipkart website on your smartphone and making a purchase there, simply install their app for your OS. Make your transaction through the app and stay assured that your data is safe.
Never shop through email links
If you have received an email that talks about special offers and discounts, do not be tempted to click on the link to make that purchase. Visit the website mentioned separately and type in the name of the offer or the product that you are looking at. If you don’t find the offer/product there, then something is definitely amiss. Many times, fake emails are sent to people to entice them to click and make a purchase from fake online portals. Refrain from doing this as the data on your smartphone is highly sensitive and important.
Always look for HTTPS certification
Mobile browsers can be tricky, especially for shoppers. All the tricks for catching a phishing link that can be made use of on a desktop, are harder to adhere to when it comes to a mobile browser. Mobile apps are generally made to function differently so as to deliver a better surfing experience and customer User Interface. Where we as shoppers lose out is the lack of visibility of the address bar at all times. So we are unable to view the URL of a page in its entirety and spot the HTTPS prefix (this is very simple on a PC). So you should always study the URL of a page closely and ensure it has HTTPS certification, before you make a purchase through your smartphone.
Be smart about what card you use
The one golden rule here that no one tells you is about the card that you use to actually make a purchase. Online purchases are never completely foolproof and can always go awry. So never use a debit card of an account where you have all your savings piled up. If these details get stolen, you will be in deep trouble. Instead, open a new account with limited money in it and use that debit card for purchases. That way, even if you lose the details for that account, the hit you take will be minimized. Additionally, you can also use credit cards for online purchases as banks are generally more open to refunding credit card amounts in case of fraudulent activity. Feasibly, you can also use a prepaid credit card number to make an online purchase through your smartphone.
Always use a secure Wi-Fi connection
Free Wi-Fi in coffee shops and airports and malls are great for people who are constantly on the move. However, making an online purchase through these connections should be strictly avoided. Wi-Fi snoopers and interceptors can steal private data over unsecured Wi-Fi networks, so stick to secured and private networks at your home or office for making purchases. A little bit of patience till the time you can connect over a private network will help you tremendously, so get a grip on that trigger finger and hold on before making that purchase.
While all these tips should be followed, it is always advisable to have a helping hand when possible. Quick Heal Total Security for Android provides you with this added layer of security while you make online purchases by blocking malicious threats and phishing sites. With this enhanced mobile virus protection suite at your disposal and by following the aforementioned tips, you can carry out all your online mobile purchases without any worries.
28 Comments
Thank You So Much…For..Alerting Me.On.Online Shopping Through Smartphone..
Which app is dangerous for any payment transaction.pls tell us for safety
Hi Subodh,
If you use official banking apps for transactions and official online shopping portal apps for purchases, then the safety quotient is definitely higher. Stick to the famous and well known brands as they have better security protocols. And always ensure that you have downloaded the official app from Google Play and not some other version from a third-party app source.
Regards.
Actually its a public secret.hopefully all the plastic money users are aware of such facts.but just to have a basic awareness about fake sites and public networks and connection. Never to trust blind whether we are speaking or punching our account passkeys.even then thanks for the alert.
The article is quite helpful as now a days using smart phone in online purchase are on higher, but please put some light if it is safe to doing a transaction while using a hotel Wi-Fi connection even it is a paid connection for the user.
Hi Saurish,
Paid connections are usually password protected, so they are relatively safer. However, it is best to avoid transactions even through public connections that are paid and password protected.
Thanks.
Thanks & pls keep on giving these kind of useful tips for users.
first of all thanx for the alert but public need to extra awareness if they r always using online shopping concept, if there possible any one can make solution for such types of fake sites & network
vry informative post…though i prefer COD while purchasing online…but nvr knw tht its alwayz banks are open to credit cards rather thn debit cards in case of any fraud…
When are you coming out with Total security fro Windows Phone. I use Lumia 620. Or do you feel windows provide all the support automatiically.
Parlikar
Hi P.G.Parlikar,
As of now, Windows Phone is not a platform we provide support for. As and when this occurs we will surely let you know. Apologies for the inconvenience.
Best regards.
I hear that Windows Phone works in some sort of sandbox environment that provides necessary protection and third-party Internet security providers have nothing much to offer to get paid for.
If they invest and develop a product they will make little money out of it once different brands begin to fight for their share.
Androids, on the other hand, are open-source operating system, fraught with plenty of security risk, and every third-party player has just enough money to make.
After all, they are here to get manifold return on their investment in developing a dependable and saleable product for Smartphones.
And, this is the reason why they give round-about answers like “Windows Phone is not a platform we provide support for”. It is the standard reply be it QuickHeal or any one.
Yes i am une such victim.Deja vu trend is one such site which send mail of discount but after payment items are not supplied.It is shocking that there is no administrative machinery to punish such fraudulent online shopping
Excellent proctotor
thansk you so much sir, for providing this very useful information……..
Thank You So much for valuable tips
Thank you so much
Thanks a Lot, Very much useful tips.
Thanks again.
thank you so much dear
you are really securing us from such a big troubles that can happen while online shopping.Phishing sites and malicious threats are really advised not to be into.
really thanks for saving us from fraudulent activities.
it could go awry!!!!!
thanks for especially cards guidance.
feasibly, i will be using this tips
thanx
is card tip listed above to be followed while shopping through PC??
Hi Prithvi,
Certain tips like don’t shop through email links, look for HTTPS certification and use an alternate debit card or virtual credit card can certainly be followed on the PC as well.
Regards.
Thank u very much for ur alerts. Pls keep us updated. Rgds.
thansk you so much sir, for providing this very useful information……..
Dear Sir
This nfo is indeed great to save many of us from losing hard earned money. Thanks
Hi Here’s a short video about information security for mobile devices https://youtu.be/klJu-KR-jcs It suggests that we treat our physical possessions more carefully than the information we carry around with us and that we need to start thinking differently about information security.
Hi,
Thanks for sharing the video with us. It is useful and informative.
Regards.
Yes I am agree with the point, you ought to dependably ponder the URL of a page and guarantee it has HTTPS affirmation, before you make a buy through your cell phone. HTTPS is intended to provide benefits like confidentiality, integrity and identity.