Are you using genuine e-commerce websites? Follow these tips for safe online shopping
New research from Check Point Research (CPR) shows that over 100 different Prime-focused scam emails have been distributed to organizations and consumers in the past two weeks. A number of these emails impersonate Amazon Financial Services and request that consumers take action to update payment methods or similar.
E-commerce platforms are offering various deals on products these days. But buyers beware – cybercriminals are eager to capitalise on the occasion.
1,000 new Amazon-related domains
In the last 30 days, CPR saw more than 1,000 new Amazon-related domains registered of which 88 per cent have been identified as malicious or suspicious. Many of these domains appear to be “parked” but could be used within phishing attacks. A parked domain is a registered domain name that is not currently being used for a website or email hosting service.
Follow these tips for safe online shopping -
Check URLs Carefully
Be wary of misspellings or sites using a different top-level domain (e.g., .co instead of .com). These copycat sites may look attractive but are designed to steal your data.
Create Strong Passwords
Ensure your Amazon.com password is strong and uncrackable before Prime Day to protect your account.
Look for HTTPS
Verify that the website URL starts with “https://” and has a padlock icon, indicating a secure connection.
Limit Personal Information
Avoid sharing unnecessary personal details like your birthday or social security number with online retailers.
Be Cautious with Emails
Phishing attacks often use urgent language to trick you into clicking links or downloading attachments. Always verify the source.
Skeptical of Unrealistic Deals
If a deal seems too good to be true, it likely is. Trust your instincts and avoid suspicious offers.
Use Credit Cards
Prefer credit cards over debit cards for online shopping as they offer better protection and less liability if stolen.