How to shop safely online

May 22nd, 2013

Appliance News

It’s National Cyber Security Awareness Week, people. Time to think about the issue of shopping safely online.

This week the Australian Government is joining forces with various industry, community and consumer bodies to inform the public about how to ensure their private info stays private.

Appliances Online is a wholehearted supporter of this initiative.

Unfortunately, cybercrime is a fact of (21^st century) life. As the net becomes an increasingly popular mechanism for shopping and banking, there’s more personal and financial info out there. And, sadly, more opportunistic douchebags willing to exploit this.

How to be safe

We think anyone who’s shopping via the interweb regularly should be alert (but, of course, not alarmed). We also want you to know we’re a responsible online retailer with an extremely secure website. Which is why we can say that one of the best ways to shop safely online is with us.

Here’s three reasons why we offer the safest possible online shopping experience:

• 1. Appliances Online doesn’t store credit card details.

So customers have a far lower risk of their information being stolen.

Furthermore, Credit Card Details are encrypted to minimise the chance of anyone hacking in to swipe them. Meanwhile Paypal’s Payflow secure payment gateway is also used to ensure your private deets remain strictly under wraps.

 • 2. Appliances Online is a secure website.

We use SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) to secure communication between your browser and our server. You can tell it’s secure because you’ll see ‘https’ in the URL.

Firewalls are also used to protect the Appliances Online servers from intrusions. Web application firewalls help to avoid common attack methods.

 • 3. We give you the option of paying by cash.

We understand that you may prefer not to give your credit card info out online. That’s why we’ll give you the option of paying by cash when the delivery guys rock up at your front door. (Please note this option is only possible in situations where our own delivery trucks are used, and only for non-agency brands).

Full details are available in our trading terms.

And ‘cos we want all your other online shopping equally secure – here’s five tips to help ensure your future internet adventures are trouble-free.

1. Read testimonials.

Web reviews are a simple way to suss whether an online retailer – and the products they sell – have a good reputation. Or, conversely, a dodgier rep than Lance Armstrong. Check out a company’s Facebook site and search for comments online, because if a person has a bad experience they are sure to write about it.

2. Make sure the site is secure.

Check that it uses SSL (secure sockets layer) security or that “https://” appears at the start of the URL (as per the Appliances Online website).

3. If in doubt, call.

Online retailers shouldn’t go online so they can avoid talking to their customers. If you have a question but can’t find an answer on the internet, try calling them. Many online retailers have customer service representatives who can answer your questions. (And, of course, so do we!).

4. Check delivery costs.

Double-check before you make your final decision.  You don’t want unexpected costs added to the shopping cart at the last minute. (Incidentally, Appliances Online offers free, next-day delivery to metropolitan areas!).

5. Monitor your transactions.

Once you have made your purchase, regularly check your electronic bank statements to make sure there’s nothing dodgy going down sneakily behind your back.

If you require further information about Cyber Security Awareness Week, please check out http://www.staysmartonline.gov.au/awareness_week.