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Stay Safe this Black Friday with these Online Safety Tips.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are fast approaching. This may be the best weekend of the year for finding bargains, but if you’re not careful where you shop online, you may be in trouble. If you’re planning on bargain-hunting over this blow-out weekend, follow these tips to stay safe online.

1. 1. Update your PC or laptop’s software. Check the publisher for your operating system, browser, and anti-virus software, to maximise your protection against malware and other cyber-attacks.
   2. Beware of Phishing Attempts. It’s essential to be wary of unsolicited emails at any time of year. Still, around Black Friday and Cyber Monday, there’s typically a significant surge in the number of phishing emails people receive.
   3. Be cautious with E-commerce Apps. If you want to use shopping apps on your mobile device, stick to apps published by specific retailers and only download them from official app stores.
   4. Think Safety When Buying Internet-Connected Devices. If you’re thinking of buying an item that can connect to the internet, it’s worthwhile spending a few minutes researching before you make the purchase. Check online consumer reviews to ensure there are no security issues that might make the item risky.
   5. Make Online Purchases Safely. First, when making a purchase, ensure that you’re on a secure webpage by checking that the address starts with HTTPS rather than HTTP. Second, make online purchases only when you’re home, on your own secured internet connection. Free, public networks tend to be less secure. And third, use your credit card, rather than a debit card, for online purchases. Credit cards offer a higher level of protection from fraudulent use.

Black Friday is an excellent opportunity for discounted Christmas shopping. Make sure if you are shopping online during the Black Friday weekend that you are being careful and wary of any scams.

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