Online shopping is fast, convenient, and — let’s be honest — tons of fun. However, there are certain risks associated with it, such as hackers intercepting your payment details or your information getting stolen during a data breach of the shop’s servers.
This is why we strongly recommend following these tips for online shopping safety:
- Use a VPN to shop online securely.
- Use a password manager.
- Use a good antivirus.
- Use strong passwords.
- Don’t online shop on public Wi-Fi networks.
Using a VPN while shopping online is a great way to stay safe while online shopping. A VPN encrypts your connection, payment data, and other sensitive information at all times.
We recommend using NordVPN due to its military-grade encryption and advanced security features. This VPN will also protect you from malware often used to steal sensitive data and payment information.
Check out the complete article below for more online safety tips and many others!
Shopping online is faster and more convenient than ever. Unfortunately, wherever there’s money, there’ll be people looking to steal it. If you’re not careful, you may fall victim to hackers, scammers, and malware-utilizing cyberthieves.
In this article, we round up the 25 most important online shopping safety tips. With this knowledge, you’ll be able to enjoy a safe online shopping experience.
Our number one recommendation is to use a trusted VPN. NordVPN encrypts your payment details and other sensitive data, so your privacy stays intact as you shop. Take advantage of NordVPN’s 30-day money-back guarantee so you can shop safely!
Online Shopping Tips: 25 Ways to Keep Your Data Secure
Safe online shopping requires being careful about what you buy, where you buy it, and how you buy it. Thankfully, there are lots of tools available to help keep data and activity safe, from VPNs to password managers.
Combine those tools with good online hygiene, and you should be able to shop to your heart’s content without getting scammed or accidentally downloading malware.
1. Use a VPN to shop online securely
A virtual private network (VPN) encrypts your data and activity, so they become illegible to hackers and other criminals. This encryption makes it impossible for cybercriminals to steal your payment data.
Almost every online payment service these days already encrypts payment data, but we still recommend taking matters into your own hands. As such, using a VPN is crucial when shopping online.
Many modern VPNs can also:
- Protect you against malware and other advanced cyber threats that thieves can use to steal your financial data
- Change your virtual address so you can access international online shops that may otherwise be unavailable to you
- Unblock geographically restricted content, like online banks from your home country
NordVPN provides military-grade encryption, Threat Protection against malware, and even more advanced security features. You can make your online shopping experience much more secure by trying out NordVPN.
You can try NordVPN for free by taking advantage of its 30-day money-back guarantee. The VPN is available on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and more.
2. Use a password manager
A password manager lets you organize and store all of your passwords, ensuring that they never fall into the wrong hands.
By using a password manager, you’ll no longer lose passwords for online banking or shopping. This method is also more secure than writing your passwords on a piece of paper, which can get lost or stolen easily.
Many password managers also offer extra security features, such as two-factor authentication. You can also use your password manager to store your credit card information.
We recommend 1Password for storing passwords and your financial data. This outstanding password manager utilizes end-to-end zero-knowledge encryption. This means your passwords are fully encrypted during storage, retrieval, and saving. Not even 1Password employees will have access to your data.
3. Use a good antivirus
Antivirus software is essential when shopping online. Using an antivirus with real-time threat detection will alert you if a website contains any malware. Real-time threat detection will also protect you from other financial risks, like ransomware.
A trusted antivirus will also let you run extensive system scans for malware and infected files. This will help you identify hidden threats that could compromise your payment details, such as keyloggers and spyware.
Most good antivirus solutions nowadays also include other useful features, such as a powerful firewall, system vulnerability scans, phishing prevention, ransomware mediation, and many others.
Our preferred antivirus solution is Norton. It offers outstanding security features and, most importantly, has managed to achieve a threat protection score of 100% during various renowned tests, such as those performed by SeaLabs and AV-TEST.
4. Use strong passwords
As we mentioned above, protecting your passwords is integral to your financial security. However, even if you store your passwords in a titanium vault, it won’t do much good if a cybercriminal only needs to enter “password” or “0000” to access your banking portal.
That’s why you must use strong passwords to make sure your banking apps will only be used for secure online shopping and not by malicious parties.
A great way to create strong passwords is by using your password manager’s built-in password generator. Any password manager that’s worth its salt will have one.
Our preferred password manager, 1Password, can generate passwords of up to 100 characters. You can choose whether you want passwords consisting of just letters, letters and numbers, letters and symbols, or all of the above.
5. Don’t online shop on public Wi-Fi networks
You might want to think twice about using a public Wi-Fi network when shopping online.
First, you run the risk of an over-the-shoulder snoop watching as you enter your card details. Moreover, somebody could steal your card details from a distance. Hackers can target unsecured networks and intercept sensitive data, such as your payment details.
Additionally, you could fall victim to identity fraud, packet sniffing, and man-in-the-middle attacks, among other risks. You can read more about these dangers in our full article on the dangers of public Wi-Fi.
Therein lies the issue with public Wi-Fi networks. By default, they’re pretty dangerous, especially when they lack any kind of encryption.
If you do use a public Wi-Fi network, it’s essential to protect yourself with a good VPN, such as NordVPN, to encrypt and protect your data.
6. Stick to well-known online shops
You should always stick to tried-and-trusted websites when you’re shopping online. Reputable websites typically have stringent security protocols.
Even if you find an online store through Google, you should still be on guard. Consult Trustpilot, a handy resource for vetting unfamiliar websites or businesses and checking if a website is safe to buy from.
Sketchy websites can compromise your online privacy. Simply visiting these websites might be enough to give away certain information about you, as they may have malicious code that collects your data as soon as you open their homepage.
Use a premium VPN that has a built-in detector for malicious websites. NordVPN offers Threat Protection, a feature that blocks dangerous websites, trackers, and ads.
7. Skip shops that ask for more information than necessary
The more data you hand over, the more attack opportunities you create for cybercriminals. Therefore, we strongly recommend buying from online shops that ask for a minimal amount of data.
Typically, you’ll only want to provide your name, shipping address, and payment information. Other information should be optional.
Remember that it’s not just your payment information that can be abused. All sorts of personal information are frequently sold on the dark web.
8. Skip optional fields when shopping online
In the same vein, you should skip optional fields when making online purchases. Often, optional fields will specify what they are.
Remember, by filling out more data than you strictly need to, you’re only giving cybercriminals more to grab onto.
9. Be wary of shopping apps and their permissions
You’ve probably noticed that most apps require that you approve permissions. We encourage you to be very selective with the permissions you give to online shopping apps (and other apps in general).
App permissions can allow the apps to collect location data, app activity, visual data thanks to camera access, and more. As we mentioned, the more data you give up, the more there is to steal in case of a data breach.
In some cases, you can choose not to grant all the permissions an app asks for, but the app may not function as intended. If you think a shopping app is asking for too many permissions, it’s better not to use it at all.
10. Don’t click on links or email attachments unless you trust the sender
Cybercriminals often use malicious links and attachments to infect their victims’ devices with malware. They might try to entice you by promising great deals through social media ads or in newsletters.
However, you shouldn’t click on anything you don’t trust, especially if you don’t know the sender or poster. You should also avoid clicking on ads unless you’re sure they come from the official brand.
Even if you don’t buy anything after clicking on a malicious link or attachment, irreversible damage might be done. Attachments might contain dangerous data-stealing malware, such as keyloggers. Dangerous links can also send you to pages that use drive-by downloads that automatically install malware on your device.
Keeping your device safe goes beyond avoiding malware. Even the most cautious of us can accidentally click on infected links. For holistic protection, you need a trusted antivirus program like Norton Antivirus.
11. Type the website’s URL directly into your search bar
We always encourage you to shop only from official shops. A great way to make sure you’re dealing with an official store is by typing the URL of the shop yourself directly into your search bar.
This method is more secure than looking for a product on Google and potentially being led to an imposter’s web shop or an illegitimate online retailer.
12. Make sure there’s a padlock in the URL bar
One thing you’ll want to look out for when shopping online is a valid security certificate. If the website URL starts with HTTPS rather than HTTP and has a padlock beside the name, that means that the security certificate is valid.
You should never put your payment details into a website that doesn’t have a valid SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate. This security measure is standard for all trusted websites, and search engines will commonly flag a website as insecure if the certificate is missing or expired.
13. Be wary of product scams
It’s very easy to get scammed online if you don’t know who you’re dealing with. These scams usually happen when you’re dealing with unverified vendors, like second-hand resellers on Facebook Marketplace or eBay.
We recommend only using official online shops and avoiding third-party marketplaces, as these don’t have security measures to prevent scams.
If you do buy from a third-party seller, we recommend using a popular marketplace that has tons of product and vendor reviews, like Amazon.
14. Always log out of your account when you’re done shopping
When you’re done shopping, we recommend you log out of your account. This is especially important if you share your computer with other users or if you’re using a public computer, such as in a library.
Moreover, if a hacker somehow gets access to your device by using a Remote Access Trojan, for instance, they can easily access your shopping accounts if you don’t log out of them.
Once inside, a cybercriminal can get a hold of any information linked to your shopping account. For instance, many online stores, such as Amazon, display complete credit card numbers.
15. Use a crypto cold wallet for online shopping
Bitcoin is a privacy-friendly payment method, meaning it can make your online shopping experience much safer.
Most people use a “hot wallet” to store their crypto because of the convenience this offers. A hot wallet is simply a virtual wallet that’s connected to the internet and allows for direct transactions.
However, you can instead use a cold wallet, which is most commonly a small device (like a flash drive) that contains the security keys to your crypto. This device has no access to the internet and is, therefore, impervious to remote hacking.
You can store your crypto in your cold wallet to keep it safe. Then, just transfer the amount you need to your hot wallet when you’re making a purchase. This way, even if your hot wallet gets compromised by hackers, there will be nothing to steal.
Pro Tip:
Connect to a VPN before accessing your crypto hot wallet, so you can encrypt all your data and activity. This prevents spying from your ISP and other people using the same WiFi network.
16. Use mobile payments instead of your card
Many of us have ditched our debit cards altogether in favor of mobile payments and other safe ways to pay for online purchases. With Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, or Google Pay installed, you can largely reduce the risk of having your payment details stolen.
However, bear in mind that there have been a handful of instances where hackers have managed to exploit mobile payments. Mobile wallets can be compromised due to weak passwords or malware.
Always use a password manager when setting up online accounts or mobile wallets. 1Password is our top recommendation — in fact, it’s what we use at VPNOverview.
17. Consider using a credit card
If you have access to a credit card, it’s better to avoid debit card purchases for shopping online securely, particularly when it’s a high-value item. Since your credit card payments are deducted from your account balance at the end of the month, you have some time to make things right in case of online theft.
You can also invoke consumer credit laws to get your money back. In the UK, for example, you can claim all your money back in cases of credit card fraud.
18. Pay with a prepaid card
If you don’t have access to a credit card or a modern phone, you can still avoid using your debit card by opening an account with a virtual banking service like Monzo or Revolut. These providers make payment super easy for you with online-only banking and user-friendly apps.
Once you’re all set up, you can make an instant bank transfer from your main bank account to your new account. Just make sure not to store money in your new account for too long. This way, even if your card details are compromised, there’ll be nothing in the account for a hacker to steal.
19. Be wary of gift card exchanges
Gift cards can be a great way to increase your online shopping safety and even your privacy when paying online. Apart from buying or selling cards, you can also trade them with others.
However, there are some risks to gift card exchanges. For instance, you might get an expired gift card when purchasing or trading cards. You might also unknowingly get a gift card that charges an activation fee.
If possible, make sure to double-check any gift cards you receive before finalizing an exchange.
20. Check your bank statements regularly
Get into the habit of checking your bank statements so you’ll spot anomalies far sooner.
Don’t recognize a transaction? Make sure you get in touch with your bank as soon as possible. To be as safe as possible, use the telephone number that’s listed on the back of your debit or credit card.
21. Regularly update your OS and banking apps
If your device’s OS or apps are outdated, it’s far easier for cybercriminals to attack your device and steal your sensitive data. Software and app developers offer updates for many reasons. The most important one is to address security concerns.
Whenever you get a notification that it’s time to update anything on your device, make sure to do so. Pay special attention to your banking and financial apps, as these are often used during online shopping and can be exploited easily when not up-to-date with the latest security patches.
Some tools can help you with this process. For instance, Norton and many other mobile antivirus solutions offer vulnerability scans to tell you which parts of your device are easily compromised.
22. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is
There are plenty of good deals to be found online, but if a deal seems too good to be true, then you should think twice about paying money for it. Always compare prices across different listings, vendors, and websites. If a product is listed for much, much lower than
23. Research physical addresses and phone numbers
It’s always smart to verify the information provided by the business you’re shopping from. This includes their physical address and contact information, among others. Scammers or fraudsters who pose as legitimate online shops will generally want to give up as little contact information as possible.
If you find a phone number, call it to make sure you’re dealing with a legitimate entity. Also, check their address. If you can confirm that their address is real through Google Maps’s satellite function, then it’s more likely that the business is legitimate.
24. Read the website’s privacy policy
Most websites gather tons of user data. To protect your data the best way you can, you need to know what data a website gathers and how they use it. The best way to find out the above information is by reading the company’s privacy policy.
Privacy policies should specify what data the online retailer gathers, how they gather it, and what they use it for. This document also lists the third parties your data will be shared with.
This information may also be mentioned in the Terms & Conditions. We recommend reading both a website’s privacy policy and T&Cs so you can make an informed and privacy-guided decision on whether you want to shop at a certain online retailer.
25. Report scammers
By reporting scammers, you are directly contributing to a safer online shopping experience for everyone. A great way to report online scams or fraud is by reaching out to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), which is run by the FBI.
The Best VPNs for Safe Online Shopping
The safest way for someone to make an online purchase is to first connect to a secure VPN server. This will protect their sensitive data, including their payment details.
These are the five best VPNs for a safer online shopping experience:
1. NordVPN: The number 1 VPN for online shopping safety
NordVPN is an outstanding VPN that offers only the very best when it comes to privacy and protection. Its military-grade 256-bit encryption will keep your payment details and other sensitive data encrypted at all times.
NordVPN also offers a great Threat Protection feature that alerts you to malware threats. This way, you’re armed against a lot of malware that criminals can use to steal your personal and financial information, such as a keylogger.
You can test out NordVPN for free, thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee.
Learn more about NordVPN in our detailed NordVPN review.
2. Surfshark: A fast and affordable online shopper’s VPN
Surfshark is another outstanding VPN for online shoppers. Its 256-bit encryption will surely keep your payment data safe from even the craftiest hackers. If you need even more reassurance, you can use Surfshark’s MultiHop feature for even stronger double-encryption.
Surfshark is a popular VPN mainly because of its great speeds, affordability, and unlimited simultaneous connections. Ready to give it a shot? You can test out Surfshark by availing of its 30-day money-back guarantee.
For more information, you can check out our Surfshark review.
3. ExpressVPN: Premium VPN for frequent online shoppers
ExpressVPN is one of the best VPNs for frequent online shoppers, thanks to its solid security features, such as 256-bit encryption and a strict no-logs policy.
Thanks to ExpressVPN’s encryption, your payment data won’t be intercepted in transit, not even on public Wi-Fi networks — although we recommend against using them. What’s more, the VPN’s no-logs policy will ensure none of your shopping data could ever be targeted on ExpressVPN’s servers, simply because ExpressVPN doesn’t store this data.
Give ExpressVPN a run with its 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our ExpressVPN review to learn more about this provider.
4. CyberGhost: The online shopping VPN with the longest money-back guarantee
CyberGhost is one of the very best VPNs to get your online shopping done safely. This is thanks to its outstanding data encryption, no-logs policy, and other security features, such as a solid kill switch.
Moreover, as a frequent online shopper, we’re sure you love a long money-back guarantee as much as we do. CyberGhost doesn’t disappoint on this front: at 45 days, it’s got the longest money-back guarantee of any VPN we’ve tested.
The above means you can easily get your money back if you find you’re not using CyberGhost as much as you thought you would or if your online shopping spree is finished for the foreseeable future.
Check out our full CyberGhost review to get a list of the full benefits of this VPN.
5. PIA: The most affordable premium VPN for secure online shopping
PIA is one of those VPNs that shows that great security doesn’t have to cost a fortune. At only $ 2.03, PIA is the cheapest secure shopping solution on this list.
Despite PIA’s low price, the provider will effortlessly hide your payment information and your other data, thanks to its strong 256-bit encryption and no-logs policy.
Excited to try out this VPN? Grab a discount with the button below:
Take a look at our PIA review for a deep dive into this service.
How to Install a VPN and Improve Online Shopping Safety
By using a VPN to shop safely online, you’ll have far better anonymity and security when snagging deals. Let’s start by looking at how to shop safely online with a VPN.
It’ll only take you a few moments to get started, and it won’t change anything about your monthly payday splurge.
- Get a subscription with a good VPN. For secure online shopping, we strongly recommend NordVPN because of its excellent encryption and security features.
- Download and install the VPN app.
- Open the VPN app and sign into your account with your user credentials.
- Connect to a server, ideally one that’s close to your physical location. For instance, if you’re located in the US, you could connect to a server in New York.
- Now that you’re connected to a VPN, you’ll enjoy much greater online security while shopping!
Final Thoughts: How to Shop Online Safely
As the whole world migrates online, online shopping safety is more important than ever before.
We outlined the most important tips for safe online shopping in this article, such as using a solid antivirus, avoiding debit card payments, paying with your smartphone, avoiding public Wi-Fi, and many other tips.
The most important tip, however, is to use a great VPN. As hackers and cybercriminals become increasingly interested in stealing people’s credit card and payment details, it’s crucial to ensure this data is always encrypted. Using a good VPN is an excellent way to do this.
We recommend NordVPN, as it’s the best and most secure VPN we have tested, thanks to its military-grade encryption and excellent security features. Among these is its excellent Threat Protection feature, which protects you from malware even when not connected to the VPN.
Are you interested in more tips to stay safe online? Be sure to check out the articles below.
- The Best Cybersecurity Tools to Protect Yourself
- Common Amazon Scams and How to Protect Yourself
- What Is Dark Web Monitoring? How Does It Work? Is It Needed?
- The Best Internet Security Suites: Our Top Picks
Check out our most frequently asked questions on online shopping safety below.
To stay safe while doing your online shopping, it’s crucial to observe these top 10 online shopping safety tips:
- Use a VPN to shop online securely.
- Use a password manager.
- Use a good antivirus.
- Use strong passwords.
- Don’t online shop on public Wi-Fi networks.
- Stick to well-known online shops.
- Skip shops that ask for more information than necessary.
- Skip optional fields when shopping online.
- Be wary of shopping apps and the permissions they require.
- Don’t click on links or email attachments unless you trust the sender.
Absolutely. A good VPN will help to protect your payment information and other sensitive data while shopping, thanks to its strong encryption. A VPN can even help you to save money on online subscriptions.
Yes, using a VPN for purchases is safe because your internet traffic will be encrypted. This means it’s much, much harder for other people to intercept and read the information that you’ve entered online.
