Nowadays, few people doubt that buying online can be unsafe. It is true that there is always a minimum risk, such as coming across a fraudulent website, but normally there are no problems. There are many platforms where you can buy products of all kinds. However, there is one factor that you must take into account, especially when buying things of a certain value. We are going to tell you what can happen.
When we talk about valuable items, we are referring to objects that cost a lot of money, investments you make in physical gold, jewelry, watches that cost a lot of money, etc. You will be able to buy all of this on the Internet, on specialized websites, and although it does not mean that these sites are dangerous, or that the products are fake, there is a risk to take into account.
Beware of expensive purchases on the Internet
When you buy something online, whatever it is, you’re going to have to give certain information. At the very least, you’ll have to put your name and the address where you want to receive the product. This will be stored in a database on that website. On paper, nothing will happen as long as you buy from reliable sites. But what happens if someone else gains access to that information?
In many cases we have witnessed leaks that have occurred on platforms of all kinds on the Internet. It has happened on social networks, forums, news sites… An attacker could take advantage of a vulnerability and collect all kinds of data. And yes, that can happen on a website where you have purchased something of a certain value.
What would happen if, for example, a website where you bought physical investment gold was hacked? The attackers could access the database and see all the orders placed. They would know what you bought, when, and the exact value of the product. They would also know your home address. They would understand that the valuable product you bought is at that address.
This information will be very valuable for mafias and thieves who are dedicated to robbing homes where there are jewels and valuable products. If we return to the example of physical investment gold, perhaps you bought several ounces to keep at home thinking about the future. That can be worth thousands of euros and you will have it in a small space. If it ends up in the wrong hands, they could go to your house to steal.
How to protect yourself
Unfortunately, the security of a website or platform where you buy something is not up to you. You cannot do anything to correct any vulnerabilities they may have, for example. But it is up to you to buy from sites that are safe, that have a certain reputation and where, at least, there is a lower risk of experiencing problems in the medium or long term. You can always find out if a website is reliable.
You should also avoid giving out more information than necessary. Reduce any type of data you give out on the Internet, whether when purchasing something or registering on any platform. The less you report, the lower the risk of it ending up in the wrong hands and affecting your online security.
On the other hand, protecting your devices is going to be a good idea. Make sure you always have a good antivirus, which can detect threats in the form of malware. You should also keep everything updated, so you can fix vulnerabilities that can be exploited and compromise your systems.
