Summer deals are here, and with so many sales just a click away, it’s crucial that when you’re searching for the best discounts online, you’re doing so securely. Good password behavior is foundational to online security – and savings!
LastPass is here to help. Here are five ways you can stay safe online as you peruse and purchase online this summer.
1. Use a Password Manager
When it comes to snagging outstanding deals as an online shopper, mere seconds can make the difference between buying an item and being too late because it's just sold out. LastPass saves time without sacrificing security. Not only does it offer encrypted storage for login credentials, but it also stores credit cards and address details. LastPass allows users to fill in forms with one click. This way, you don't have to take the time to type in your shipping or payment details and check them for errors.
It also simplifies creating new accounts when shopping at new websites. It even auto-generates a strong password for you. Plus, because passwords get safely stored in a person's LastPass vault, there's no need to go through the frustration of forgetting passwords or resetting them while trying to shop.
2. Shop at Reputable Sites
Online shopping has become so common that we sometimes don’t check to make sure the sites we are shopping on have good security practices. Be sure to stick to vendors you know and avoid obscure looking sites that don’t follow the format of well-known retailers, as bogus websites are likely to pop up with only the intent to steal personal and payment information. If it’s your first time shopping with a vendor, conduct some research to ensure it’s a legitimate seller.
3. Enable MFA
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) requires people to have more than one proof of verification when logging into a website. For example, in addition to providing a password, they also might receive a code via text or email that they have to enter before proceeding. No matter where people go online, using MFA is more critical than ever for protecting accounts and the information within from cyber criminals. Hackers prey on people who don't have thoroughly secured accounts. MFA offers extra safeguards.
4. Sign Up for a Credit Monitoring Service
Sometimes, the first red flag that a cybercriminal has attacked is a strange charge on a credit card bill. Credit monitoring takes another step by allowing people to know about changes in their credit reports. Some credit card companies offer monitoring to their clients. However, individuals can also participate in credit monitoring from specialty companies. Depending on the service, identity theft insurance might be available, too.
5. Stay Vigilant of Phishing Attempts
Shoppers should also be aware that in the haste to grab a good deal that common sense and standard security practices don’t go out the window. Unsolicited texts, calls, emails or social media messages could be an attempt to get you to hand over an account login or credit card information, so be cautious of anything that sounds so good that it’s unbelievable from vendors you don’t know.
Phishing emails can be extremely convincing, but they’re often identifiable by typos, spelling, and grammatical errors. And LastPass won't autofill on sites that aren't legitimate. You can also always launch sites from your LastPass vault to ensure you are getting to the correct website.
Ready to shop ‘til you drop? Shop, log in, and share passwords safely and easily with LastPass. Between now and August 5, new customers get 20% off Premium, Families, Teams, and Business products.
