How to Combine Caution with Convenience When Shopping Online For Gifts

By Keisa Sharpe-Jefferson The Birmingham Times Even during inflation, economists expect sales from the 2023 holiday shopping season to meet and exceed previous years due in large part to consumers shopping online. Consider that it’s hard to top the convenience that comes from shopping online from the comfort of your home to making trips to brick-and-mortar locations. But security experts warn not to become too lax when purchasing gifts from home. Here’s a list of tips from area experts to help you stay safe while shopping online this holiday season. First and most importantly, “make sure the website is a secure site,” says Dr. Ragib Hasan, Computer Science Professor and Director of the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Center for Cyber Security. “A lot of cyber criminals set up fake websites or sites that differ slightly from the real website,” he said. Dr. Hasan advises shoppers to visit the retailer’s website directly and type in the online address. Avoid getting to the site by clicking on links sent via emails, which are often nothing more than phishing attempts, which is a criminal’s tactic to secure your personal information. Ragib Hassan, Director of the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB)...