What Are The Cybersecurity Risks with Online Shopping
Americans have always been fashion-focused, with the U.S. ranking at the top of the real per-capital consumer spending on fashion items. Americans have a strong affinity with statement pieces, as many consider fashion to be an important part of their brand. Fashion in 2024 is synonymous with online shopping, so what are the cybersecurity risks. Google is your best friend when finding the best fashion statement pieces. However, have you ever considered your safety when browsing for your ultimate statement piece?
Whether you are a bargain shopper or you only shop from big brands, 7 in 10 Americans Shop Online. What kind of risks are Americans facing when shopping online?
Cybersecurity & Trusted Brands
The advantage of going with trusted and reputable brands like Zara is that you can rest assured that your online transactions will be fully secured. Major e-commerce businesses have had to focus on cybersecurity as a priority as part of their global market presence. Malware, DoS attacks, and electronic skimming count among the top cyber threats they face. On top of that, most international e-commerce businesses need to consider data protection and privacy regulations, such as GDPR compliance in the EU and CCPA for California.
The bottom line: Big brands tend to be safe to buy from, as the cost of cyber strategy mishaps could be exponential for them.
Cybersecurity & Auction Platforms
Platforms like eBay and Vinted are great alternatives for bargain hunters. But how safe are they? If you are concerned about unsafe transactions, this is not an issue with auction platforms. However, phishing can be a source of problems. Phishing, for clarification, is an attack run by emails. The email may appear to be from an official source but is designed to gain access to confidential information by encouraging the user to click on a link.
eBay is a trusted brand, which means that it is frequently used as part of phishing campaigns. So, the security risk here is on the user’s end but starts with a fake email sent from a trusted platform.
Cybersecurity & International Bargain Platforms
If you are looking for something specific at a low cost, you’ve probably come across platforms such as AliExpress and Temu. How safe are those? Essentially, those platforms act as marketplaces that connect third-party sellers with shoppers. Transactions occurring on any of the platforms are secured.
So, is Temu safe to buy from? Technically, yes, the platform itself is designed to protect your data. However, there is no saying what third-party sellers might do with your data. As sellers are independent and not controlled by Temu, AliExpress, or any similar platforms, cyber risks do remain. Ideally, you want to go with sellers who have a blue tick, meaning they have been verified by the platform.
Additionally, platforms like Temu may also have different privacy standards as those US or EU shoppers are familiar with. So, doing your due diligence before committing to a purchase is a must!
SOBX Tech Can Help
If you have questions or concerns about how to keep your computer and personal information safe online, don’t hesitate to contact us.
For more information on cybersecurity you can read here.
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