Cyber Monday: Buyers Beware

There are those online today looking to save money by stealing and using your information.

It's the season of shopping and today the best deals are found online. It's Cyber Monday and you fingers will be working to the bone to save you the most money. It's also a prime opportunity for others (the Grinches of the world) to steal your your information.

The biggest thing is to make sure you are secure before purchasing.

KATV in Little Rock has some simple security tips that I recommend you check out. Basically you want to double check make sure your passwords are strong with your banking information and make sure that the URLs that you are using are secure. Check for a lock symbol in your search bar and insure that there is an "https" in front of the web address. That final "s" means that the site you're using in secure.

Be wary of wi-fi hot spots in public places that can leave you vulnerable to criminals. On the other hand, using your phone can actually help protect you. KATV reports that it can be more difficult to "interpret, capture or interfere" with transmissions on a cellular network.

Your online risk doesn't end when you click purchase.

In fact, follow-up emails can also be used to steal your information. Phishing message can come in the form of an order confirmation, but will request more info before the item can ship. Be on the lookout for these. They can look like the real thing, but are just a means to steal your information.

I would also suggest you trust your gut.

If something seems too good to be true, then it probably is. If it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't. Don't get so wrapped up (pun not intended) in the rush of a deal that you end up paying more for it in the end.