Heartbleed may be so 2014, but it is a testament that no one can assume impenetrable security measures, so being prepared is the best way to avoid inconveniences brought about by hackers lurking around the vast and fast world run by the internet. While the inconvenience that Heartbleed brought to users and online shoppers has already been under control, one fact still remains: Even the most stringent protocols for security can be attacked anytime. That is why, Alarm System Store sees to it that as a trusted home warning device partner, our website is maintained to ensure that your every transaction brings security to your home, business and more importantly, to all your personal and banking information.
Why Are Ecommerce Sites At Risk?
As Ecommerce websites continue to boom, the idea of stealing personal information along with credit card numbers, is always something that attracts hacks and security attacks. With this continual growth as reflected by the third quarter of 2014, online shopping sites reaped an annual sales amounting to $78.1 billion. This staggering figure puts the logic by hackers as they go about attacks like Heartbleed.
If you remember, heartbleed is not a bug nor a virus. Hackers these days are getting more and more advanced as they challenged the most secure checks such as the OpenSSL. The chances of having to be prepared for security threats that can happen without a trace or in a matter of seconds or minutes is now something that online shopping sites must look really well into.
The Massive Effects Of Heartbleed And New Age Hacks
Reports revealed that repeated attacks of new age hacks like heartbleed may allow hackers to duplicate an “infected” website with the aim of snatching information independently. Apart from getting your name, username, and email address, the risk of gaining to your private messages, uploaded files, and even credit card numbers are high as well. It is not difficult to imagine these personal information to track down your location and even your financial capability. These days, security threats via online information leaks have paved the way for assaults, robbery, and even killings.
Online Shopping Security Checklist
Given all these information about the heartbleed virus and other similar threats, how can unknowing people like you, your loved ones, and even your professional network be protected at all times?
1. Leave your anti-virus alone.
As mentioned earlier, Heartbleed is not a bug nor a virus. Thus, upgrading your anti-virus or purchasing a new one won’t do much about this situation. It is vital though that regular and frequent system scans and checks must be in place, just in case a virus surfaces. This may be applied to potential hacks that may disguise themselves as something that does not translate to virus or bugs.
2. Be careful of connecting to public Wi-Fi hotspots.
While getting free Wi-Fi is an enticing add-on in almost any establishment, being in a space where people of all sorts come together is just a risky situation. Hackers lurk practically everywhere, and these public spaces are their easiest and most favored crime scenes.
3. Don’t change your passwords until you get a legit confirmation to do so.
Should you confirm an attack, don’t act on impulse. Though it may seem counterintuitive, letting your password remain unchanged until you have double checked that you are getting a notification from a rightful party saves you from even more threat.
4. Have at least 3 email accounts. 1 for work, 1 for social media accounts, and 1 for bank transactions.
These days, it’s better not to rely on a single email to cover all your online activities. At first glance, one-email-fits-all approach seems convenient, but when hacking gets in the picture, the possibilities of temporary and permanent damage gets larger and more alarming.
5. When changing passwords is good to go, never use the same password.
Different accounts mean different pass codes. If you are the type who easily forgets passwords, then, consider getting a password manager. Remember to include the passwords you have in the mobile apps that you are using. Mashable enumerates the sites which password change is a must. Though these sites have already been dubbed as websites safe from heartbleed virus, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Here’s a quick guide: Amazon Web Box Dropbox Etsy Facebook Flickr GoDaddy Google/Gmail Instagram Minecraft Netflix OK Cupid Pinterest Tumblr Yahoo/Yahoo Mail YouTube Wikipedia Wordpress Wunderlist
6. Consider getting a two-step sign-in security in place so as to protect sensitive data.
Another way to double-lock your security online is to get a two-step sign up - one from your email and another from your mobile device. This is especially helpful when it comes to transactions that require payment transfers online.
7. Delete your cookies on top of your browsing history.
If it’s not needed, by all means, hit the clear all button to get rid of all cookies and your browsing history. In a way, it resets your browser and enables possibly affected websites to load the updates they make to address security glitches such as Heartbleed.
8. Watch out for suspicious online banking activities, should there be any.
Be on your toes and see if there are transactions that appear abnormal or unlikely. Make sure that should this happen, you make necessary arrangements with the financial institution concerned.
9. Get in touch with businesses big and small that you’ve transacted with.
Review all your transactions over the last 12 months, and take the time to get in touch with each of them. This takes time, but it assures you that you are protected each time you hit that BUY button.
10. Shop only in e-commerce websites not affected by heartbleed virus.
The best and simplest way to avoid being bitten by the tricky bug is to transact with Heartbleed-free ecommerce sites. Alarm System Store seriously does security checks that will bring every shopper the most secured and most worry-free shopping experience. Are you sure your every BUY hit is not a security miss? Let us know your online shopping horror stories.
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