With an almost 38% market share of the U.S. e-commerce market, Amazon is a place where many of the world’s online transactions take place. Over the years, Amazon has built an impressive brand that is built on fast and quality service.
However, when it comes to online shopping, the main concern for most people is the security of their transactions. This article will provide practical advice for both buyers and sellers on how to navigate Amazon safely and ensure a secure shopping experience.
The importance of cybersecurity in protecting personal and financial information
Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital threats.
In a world that’s never been as inter-connected as it is now, cyber threats are an ever-growing concern, increasing in both sophistication and frequency.
And sure, there are also many benefits we get from our increasing reliance on technology. But we can’t ignore the increasing concerns regarding the security and privacy of our sensitive information. It’s unlikely that privacy will ever be prioritized over technological advancement, which is why implementing cybersecurity measures to counter these vulnerabilities is more critical than ever.
Best practices for protecting sensitive information
To shop on Amazon, you have to provide a lot of personal and financial information. While the Amazon website is safe, you never know when a breach might occur or if your information is compromised through other means. Here are three best practices to safeguard your data and maintain your online privacy:
- Minimize the number of sites you visit
The internet is filled with hundreds of different services. If you give your data to all of them, there is a greater risk of misuse.
For example, if you’re already giving away your data by browsing on Google, you shouldn’t do the same with Yahoo search. In this scenario, it’s best to remove Yahoo search from Chrome or any browser you use so that you limit the amount of personal data being collected by multiple platforms.
- Learn to recognize phishing scams
Phishing is the most popular digital attack of the 21st century. It involves cybercriminals sending fraudulent communications that appear to come from a reputable source, typically via email. The goal is to steal sensitive data like credit card numbers and login information or to install malware on the victim’s device.
For example, criminals might create a phony Amazon website and ask you to log into it. However, once you enter your details, they will go directly to the attackers, who will now have access to your account. Here is an excellent guide on how to recognize phishing attempts.
How to navigate Amazon securely
There are several risks buyers and sellers face on Amazon. Scammers will often try to get information from you by pretending to be Amazon. Remember that Amazon will never call or email you to verify your account details like passwords, credit card, and bank account number. This information is only necessary when making payments and setting up your account.
Let’s look into more security risks you should consider when shopping on Amazon, depending on whether you’re a buyer or seller.
For Buyers
One consideration buyers have to consider when shopping on Amazon is how easy it is to set up a seller account. Unlike eBay, Amazon is fairly loose about vetting sellers thoroughly, which means that there is a chance you’ll encounter fraudulent or counterfeit sellers and products. Buying from such sellers could not only leave you without the item you want but also expose you to various cyber threats like targeted phishing attacks and compromised accounts.
When shopping, always make sure you’re buying from a reputable seller, which will typically have a considerable number of positive reviews. It’s also wise to be cautious with deals that seem too good to be true, as these can often be bait for scams.
Another trick to improve the quality of the listings by filtering the site’s search results to only show items from Amazon.com.
There are also many reasons to use security tools to better protect yourself when online shopping. Make varied and strong passwords and keep them in a secure password manager’s vault. Get familiar with all the benefits of virtual private networks and download the most secure and fastest VPN to ensure a smooth shopping experience. Also, an antivirus program should be installed on both mobile devices and your computer (on all the devices you use for shopping).
For Sellers
While sellers typically have less to lose, they still face their own set of challenges and risks when operating on Amazon. Sellers must be vigilant about maintaining their account security to prevent unauthorized access, which could lead to hijacked listings or financial losses. Additionally, sellers need to be aware of the competition, which can include counterfeiters who might undermine their product listings with cheaper, inferior products.
One great resource sellers have is Amazon’s Brand Registry, which offers additional protections and tools to help manage and protect their brand.
Final thoughts
Amazon is the world’s largest online marketplace, where you can buy almost any product under the sun. With its popularity, the site has also attracted some bad attention from scammers, who take advantage of Amazon’s brand to trick its users into revealing sensitive information.
By following the advice in this article, you will be well on your way toward a more secure Amazon experience.
