“The most common types of e-commerce frauds include those related to credit cards, identity theft ….” – Times of India

Ritesh Chopra, director, sales and field marketing, Norton, talks about risks of online shopping and answers the key question that many shoppers often wonder: “Is our personal information Safe?”
What measures do online shopping websites take to ensure the security and privacy of customers’ personal information?
People regularly provide personal information online, including their first and last names, email addresses, physical addresses, birth dates, credit card numbers, bank information, browsing preferences, navigation history, and a variety of other details. As much this is helpful for internet shoppers, it can become a risk for the customers if this data gets leaked. Hence, it is crucial to ensure that user data is protected as customers entrust their crucial information with online retailers.
Online shopping websites take several measures to ensure the security and privacy of customers’ personal information. Some of the most common measures are:
Data encryption, Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), payment gateways, firewalls, two-factor authentication and data privacy policies. Online shopping websites should have clear and concise data privacy policies that outline how customer data will be handled and protected. Customers should always read these policies before submitting any personal information.
Can you provide some examples of common security breaches or data leaks that have occurred in the online shopping industry, and how can consumers protect themselves from such incidents?
Data leaks have already been a major factor in many contentious issues. These incidents have included commercial occurrences that result in businesses losing a significant number of consumers and facing legal actions that may include long court cases. The most common types of e-commerce themes include credit card fraud, identity theft, chargebacks, and bogus returns. These hurt both consumers and merchants. Some of the warning signs of possible fraud include late-night orders, drop box addresses, items placed for sale outside of the country, express shipping, free/anonymous email services, high dollar orders, and cases in which the “ship to” address differs from the billing one.
The most common types of e-commerce frauds include those related to credit cards,identity theft, chargebacks, and bogus returns. These affect both consumers and merchants. Some of the warning signs of possible fraud include late-night orders, drop box addresses, items placed for sale outside of the country, express shipping, free/anonymous email services, high dollar orders, and cases in which the “ship to” address differs from the billing one.
With the growth of technology into practically all parts of daily life, consumers aren’t strangers to dangers that may show themselves in their online interactions. In fact, according to Norton report, most adults in India say they are aware of the need to protect themselves online when they shop. About 3 out of 4 say they are at least somewhat likely to check an online seller’s reviews before making a purchase (85%, including 54% who say this is very likely), look at the digital security or safety record of a device before buying (85%, including 46% who say this is very likely), look at a retailer’s social media presence to see if they are authentic (81%, including 43% who say this is very likely), and abandon a purchase after discovering a problem (85%, including 46% who say they are very likely).
What role do customers play in keeping their personal information safe while shopping online, and what best practices should they follow?
According to the 2022 Norton Cyber Safety Insights Report: Festive, it is important to take precautions with personal information online while shopping. The survey findings reveal that, virtually all Indians have done online shopping, with 61% saying that they expect to do more than half of their festive shopping online. Consumers have a crucial part to play in maintaining the security of their personal information while shopping online. They should take precautions to safeguard their data and be mindful of the risks associated with sharing personal information. The greatest approach to defend against online shopping cyberattacks is to be cautious when browsing websites, opening email attachments, and disclosing personal information. Using a complete internet protection solution provided by a reputable firm is always a smart idea.
How do laws and regulations governing data protection apply to online shopping websites, and what kind of penalties can be imposed for non-compliance?
E-commerce is one of those industries that is highly vulnerable to data breaches. It is important for online shopping websites operating in India to ensure they follow the relevant laws and regulations governing data protection to assure accountability and consumer protection. Failure to comply with these laws can result in significant financial and reputational damage.
What advice would you give to consumers who are concerned about the safety of their personal information when shopping online, and how can they ensure they are making informed choices when sharing their data?
As we all know, there are increasing worries among the consumer about the security and privacy of the personal data and information they share while online shopping. The consumer can avoid being scammed online by conducting some research and knowing what to buy, where to buy it, and how to buy it. Here are some recommendations that customers may take to help secure their personal information and make conscious decisions while sharing their data online: Use known online shopping apps/retailers; ensure that the online app/retailers one chooses to shop from are renowned, trustworthy, and have a track record of keeping consumer information secure. Be conscious of online phishing- The most prevalent kind of online fraud in existence today is phishing. Cybercriminals attempt to trick unsuspecting users logging into a reliable website by sending out phony emails, often with a link. The link takes the consumer to either a deceptive copy of the real website or a malicious website that either infects the device with malware or spyware or steals login information and personal information.
Make a habit of reading. It is crucial for customers to read prior to making a purchase decision. One should make sure they have read the information thoroughly before accepting the terms and conditions and signing into the shopping apps. This will provide valuable information on how the personal data will be collected, used, and shared by them. Also, consumers should read the reviews and feedbacks before making any decisions related to shopping. Consumers’ information will be more protected from online threats and hackers if they create a more complicated password. The need for secure passwords cannot be overstated.
By following these tips, consumers can help protect their personal information and make informed choices when sharing their data online.