BitDefender warns of risks associated with online shopping at work
Don’t let this holiday season be tarnished by identity theft; Shop online safely
Online shopping can put an employee’s identity and the company’s network at risk, warns BitDefender. Whilst most people are cautious about what links they click on and what sites they visit on their home computer, they are more inclined to take risks when it comes to shopping online from their work computers.
“What many employees might not realize is that while their employer’s network is secure, they are still at risk of encountering many e-threats as they purchase things online,” says BitDefender’s senior antispam researcher, Catalin Cosoi. When shopping online it is very important to ensure the sites being visited are legitimate. Otherwise, it is not going to be you celebrating this holiday season – it will be the cybercriminal behind the attack.”
BitDefender is offering employees a few tips to consider before shopping online this holiday season:
• Only visit known and trusted websites.
• Be wary of “great gift” or “special offer” emails from unknown email addresses. They are likely fake and should be avoided.
• Use credit cards instead of debit cards. Debit cards offer a lower liability in case you are the victim of fraud.
• Check for security seals (the lock on the bottom right hand corner) on all shopping sites.
• Make sure the connection to the website is an https. This doesn’t guarantee the site is safe, but in most cases they are safe.
• Consider alternative ways of payment such as cash upon delivery.
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About BitDefender®
BitDefender is the creator of one of the industry's fastest and most effective lines of internationally certified security software. Since its inception in 2001, BitDefender has continued to raise the bar and set new standards in proactive threat prevention. Every day, BitDefender protects tens of millions of home and corporate users across the globe - giving them the peace of mind of knowing that their digital experiences will be secure. BitDefender solutions are distributed by a global network of value-added distribution and reseller partners in more than 100 countries worldwide. More information about BitDefender and its products are available at the company’s security solutions press room. Additionally, BitDefender’s www.malwarecity.com provides background and the latest updates on security threats helping users stay informed in the everyday battle against malware.