{"id":567,"date":"2025-07-07T14:51:19","date_gmt":"2025-07-07T18:51:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/phish-files\/?p=567"},"modified":"2026-02-16T16:08:01","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T21:08:01","slug":"protect-your-checkout","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/phish-files\/2025\/07\/07\/protect-your-checkout\/","title":{"rendered":"Don\u2019t Let Hackers Crash Your Checkout"},"content":{"rendered":"

Online shopping is quick and easy\u2014perfect for grabbing textbooks, snacks, or deals. But it also comes with risks.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cybercriminals use fake sites, phishing emails, and data breaches to target shoppers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Staying safe online helps protect you <\/span>and<\/span><\/em> our campus community.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what to watch out for\u2014and how to shop smart.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Risks of Online Shopping<\/h2>\n

1. Phishing Scams<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Fake emails or text messages that look like they\u2019re from legitimate companies (like Amazon, Apple, or your bank) often try to trick you into clicking malicious links or providing personal information.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Fake or Compromised Retail Sites<\/h3>\n

Some scammers set up realistic-looking online stores that sell fake or non-existent products, just to collect your credit card info.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Public Wi-Fi Vulnerabilities<\/h3>\n

Shopping online while connected to unsecured campus or caf\u00e9 Wi-Fi can put your personal data at risk. Hackers on the same network can intercept your connection and access what you send.<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Data Breaches<\/h3>\n

Even trusted retailers can fall victim to cyberattacks. If their systems are breached, your account, credit card, or address details might be exposed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Online Shopping Safety To-Do List<\/h2>\n

Stick to Trusted Retailers<\/h3>\n

Only shop on well-known, reputable websites. If you\u2019ve never heard of the store, do some research first. Look for reviews, verify contact info, and avoid stores that only take unusual payment methods like wire transfers or crypto.<\/span><\/p>\n

Check for Secure Connections<\/h3>\n

Before entering payment info, make sure the site uses HTTPS (not just HTTP). Look for a padlock icon in your browser\u2019s address bar\u2014it\u2019s a sign the connection is encrypted.<\/span><\/p>\n

Beware of Deals That Seem Too Good to Be True<\/h3>\n

If something is priced way below market value, it could be a scam. If it looks sketchy, it probably is.<\/span><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t Shop on Public Wi-Fi<\/h3>\n

Avoid making purchases over unsecured networks. If you must shop while out and about, use a trusted VPN or your phone\u2019s cellular data instead.<\/span><\/p>\n

Use Strong, Unique Passwords<\/h3>\n

Don\u2019t reuse your campus credentials for shopping accounts. Use a password manager to create and store strong, unique passwords.<\/span><\/p>\n

Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)<\/h3>\n

Whenever possible, turn on 2FA for your shopping accounts to add an extra layer of protection\u2014even if someone gets your password, they can\u2019t access your account without a second verification step.<\/span><\/p>\n

Monitor Your Accounts<\/h3>\n

Regularly check your bank and credit card statements for unauthorized transactions. Report suspicious activity immediately.<\/span><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t Save Payment Info by Default<\/h3>\n

It may be convenient, but saving credit card details in your online shopping account can be risky. If the site is hacked, so is your data.<\/span><\/p>\n

In Summary<\/h2>\n

Shopping online can be fast and easy\u2014but don\u2019t let convenience come at the cost of your security. A few extra precautions go a long way toward protecting your finances and personal information. Whether you\u2019re ordering a hoodie from your favorite store or buying supplies for class, make cyber safety part of your shopping routine.<\/span><\/p>\n

Want to Know More?<\/h2>\n

TheRecord | China-linked hackers spoof big-name brand websites to steal shoppers’ payment info<\/a><\/p>\n

Forbes | Do Not Use Your Credit Card Online If You See These 2 Things<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Online shopping is quick and easy\u2014perfect for grabbing textbooks, snacks, or deals. But it also comes with risks. Cybercriminals use fake sites, phishing emails, and data breaches to target shoppers. Staying safe online helps protect you and our campus community. Here\u2019s what to watch out for\u2014and how to shop smart. The Risks of Online Shopping […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":349,"featured_media":624,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-567","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/phish-files\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/567","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/phish-files\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/phish-files\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/phish-files\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/349"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/phish-files\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=567"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/phish-files\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/567\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1422,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/phish-files\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/567\/revisions\/1422"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/phish-files\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/624"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/phish-files\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=567"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/phish-files\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=567"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/phish-files\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=567"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}