As online shopping becomes a part of our daily lives, it is important to be aware that cybercriminals can target unsuspecting online shoppers for their personal and financial information. Cybercriminals who gain this information can use it to make purchases themselves or sell the information on to someone else.

Follow these tips to ensure the safest possible online shopping experience.

1. Use trusted and reputable sites

It’s best to shop directly with online stores you know and trust, if you know the site, chances are it's less likely to be a scam or a fake site. If you wish to shop on a newer site, do some research through reviewing consumer feedback to ensure they have a good reputation and are legitimate.

2. Ensure the website uses HTTPS

When you’re shopping online, only use websites that will keep your data secure from hackers. Check for a closed padlock icon in the browser's address bar, which indicates that the website has secure data encryption. These encrypted websites will start with 'https' instead of just 'http'.

3. Check card statements regularly

Instead of waiting until the end of the month, go online regularly, especially during the holiday season, to view electronic statements for your credit card, debit card, and checking accounts. If you see something unusual pick up the phone to address the matter quickly. The quicker you inform your bank of an issue the better chance you have of it being efficiently resolved.

4. Keep accounts secure through multi-factor authentication

You can further protect your online accounts from cybercriminals by turning on multi-factor authentication, also referred to as 'two-step verification'. Turning on MFA stops cybercriminals from accessing your accounts, even if they know your password, by asking you to confirm access through a second factor, something the user knows, something the user possesses or a unique trait of the user.

5. Avoid shopping from public Wi-Fi

Public wi-fi is often unsecure, which means any information you send while connected to these networks can be accessed by criminals. Shopping online often requires giving out information that a cybercriminal would love to grab, such as your name, address or credit and debit card information. Do your online shopping on secure private networks so that sensitive information is not vulnerable.