Many consumers are discovering the ease and benefits to shopping online on their mobile phones. As more people own smartphones, this rate increases. In fact, approximately 90 million people in the United States own a smartphone. Of this number, approximately two thirds of them have made a purchase on their phone. Although many of these purchases are for music or movies to be used directly on the phone, many purchases are for tangible items such as clothing.
Many consumers mistakenly believe that making purchases on a cell phone is completely safe. However, many phishers and hackers are beginning to take advantage of the information being shared by mobile shoppers and are stealing credit card numbers and other personal information. Understanding the dangers of shopping while mobile is the first step in becoming a safer shopper.
What Are the Biggest Mobile Dangers When Shopping on Mobile Phones?
Personally identifiable information and credit card numbers may be stolen: This can be done by a thief stealing the actual phone or by a hacker virtually stealing information via a public Wi-Fi network or by phishing. This person can then make purchases using information on the phone or can steal the person’s identity, creating many future problems.
The phone may be susceptible to malware if purchases are made on unsecure sites: Malware can damage a phone and allow a hacker to have access to personal information.
Storing credit card information may result into unnecessary purchases: A child may be able to make purchases accidentally in the future if credit card information is stored on the phone or on shopping websites.
How to Decrease the Danger of Shopping on a Mobile Phone
Avoid Public Network While Making Purchases on Phone: It is far safer to shop from a home network than from a public network. Hackers can easily access information from mobile phone browsers when these shoppers are using a public network.
Always Log off from Shopping Portal: Shoppers should always log off a shopping site when they are done making a purchase. If someone else should pick up the phone, he will then be unable to access personal information.
Use good antivirus on your Smart Phone: Mobile phone owners should install antivirus software on their devices just as they would on their personal computers.
Check for the Secured Padlock for Assurance of Your Personal Data: Before shopping, they should also check the phone’s browser for the padlock symbol, which indicates a secure site.
Alternatively, use the store Mobile App to make Purchase: If possible, shoppers should download the store’s mobile app. An app, which is often free, is a much safer method of making purchases. In addition, apps are often much easier to use since they are designed specifically for mobile phones.
Don’t input your data if the URL starts with “http” and not “https”: Safe website addresses always begin with https, not http. The “s” indicates that the site is secure. If the site is not secure, the shopper should never enter any personal information on it, particularly his credit card number.
Manually Investigate web URL before making purchases: It is always safest to load a page on a mobile browser oneself by typing the address rather than by clicking on a link in an email or text message. Unsafe links may direct consumers to sites with malware.
Unfamiliar Mobile Sites are prone to attacks, use sites you know very well: Shoppers should only use mobile sites with which they are familiar. Familiar sites are more likely to be safe and free of viruses than the unfamiliar are.
Your Social Security Numbers shouldn’t be shared on Mobile websites: Shoppers should never give out their social security numbers on mobile sites. Sites that ask for this information are most likely unsafe and put the individual at risk for a stolen identity. Credit card information or social security numbers should never be stored on a phone because anyone who later picks up the phone, particularly if it is lost, will have access to this very personal information.
Always use Secured Wi-Fi network: Shoppers should ensure that the phone’s Wi-Fi network is password protected and is not open to anyone in the vicinity.
Keep the app up to date for better mobile security experience: Shopping apps on the phone should always be up to date. App developers often offer new versions of an app to repair any security problems that had previously been found with it. Even though it may take a few minutes to download a new version, improved safety is well worth the time.
In conclusion
Safety while shopping on a mobile phone should always be a primary concern. Stay safe with Mobile security software from NQ.com. Identity thieves and hackers are becoming more knowledgeable on ways to cull an individual’s personal information from his phone and from public Wi-Fi networks. Therefore, following these mobile safety tips is a priority if you want to avoid these mobile dangers anytime soon.
If you have additional mobile dangers tips and tricks to help us learn better on this subject, would you mind sharing them in comment section below? Awaiting your responses…
More About Me
I am really appreciate this wonderful post that you have provided for us. I assure this would be beneficial for most of the people.
wow this is a very useful post.I think this post will help me to shopping on mobile.Thanks
Good work dude. I appreciate. (y)
though i have nothing to add on to your tips i would like to thank you for sharing your knowledge because indeed this is very useful for us since mobile shopping is widely used by us consumers…thank you again
You’re welcome Jennifer 🙂
I’m happy to see you here…
this post can help people to know how’s phone dangerous