Watch Out for those SCAMMERS ONLINE!

Look before you Shop!

Gone are the days when Ramu had to visit the grocery store to fetch everything from a cricket ball to packaged goods. It’s so medieval in this age of online banking and shopping. Now Ramu can sit in the comfort of his air conditioned room and order some exquisite things from remote corners of this world just with a click of the mouse. Cliché! Isn’t? Indeed just a click of mouse is all it takes. Life is better in 2011.
Online shopping has revolutionized the way we shop, and it’s no wonder that its popularity is soaring by the day. There are advantages like shop any time and from anywhere and of course no cash payment is required. Money transfer from a bank account online or a credit card would do! Tempted? Eh! You’re easy to lure! Maybe you are the best man to work for me. 
How about I make a phishing attack and steal your credit card information the next time you pay, or what if your ordered product never gets delivered… as they would say ‘Lost in translation!’ Scared baby?! Awww… Don’t worry dear! Main hoon na…
Your robin hood aka I will give you some simple yet effective tips to secure your hard looted money!
Before going for online shopping, install updated Anti-Spyware, Anti-Virus, and firewall and set your web browser security to the highest level.
Intensively research about the website you intend to buy from. There are various means to do that, check out customer reviews or note the physical address and telephone number of their help centers. Since most hackers try to trap with websites that only look legitimate, make sure you choose wisely and go with popular websites.
Before making transactions, check if the website is secured. Is there https or padlock on the browser address bar?
After finishing transactions, take a print out of details of purchase like price, confirmation receipt and conditions of sale.
Immediately check the credit card statements after making the payment, make sure they debit only the said amount. If any discrepancies are encountered report to bank authorities.
After finishing online shopping, clear the web browser cookies and turn off the PC as the spammers and phishers will be looking for the systems connected to net and try to send spam e-Mails or install malware into your system to leak out personal information.
Beware of e-Mails demanding you to confirm the payment by entering product details and credit card number after the purchase has already been made. Legitimate people never send e-Mails asking for confirmation.
Follow these simple common leads to save embarrassment!