Safe Tips For Online Shopping During Ramadan: Protect Your Personal Data When Transacting

JAKARTA - Along with the month of Ramadan in sight, increased shopping activity is also predicted to increase. The Glance survey in December 2024 shows that more than half of Indonesians plan to increase Ramadan's spending budget this year. This shows high enthusiasm in welcoming the holy month with various preparations, including shopping for daily needs and preparation for holidays.

However, behind the vibrant activities of this shopping activity, there are several things to watch out for. The increase in online transactions during Ramadan is also accompanied by the increasing potential for fraud and theft of personal data. Cybercrime actors often take advantage of the negligence of users who are busy shopping to launch their actions. Therefore, it is very important for us to increase our vigilance and protect our personal data when shopping online.

Chairman of Communication & Information System Security Research Center (CISSReC), Dr. Pratama Persadha shared five simple but effective tips to maintain the security of your personal data when shopping online in Ramadan which was summarized from Lazada's official broadcast received by VOI.

1. Use Strong and Unique Passwords

Make sure every online account you are protected with a strong and unique password. Combinate big letters, lower letters, numbers, and symbols to create unpredictable passwords. Avoid using predictable personal information, such as date of birth or surname. Alternatively, you can use easy-to-remember words such as hobbies, favorite foods, or certain favorite items. With the advancement of more sophisticated AI technology, hackers are also getting smarter, so it's important to always update our security.

In addition, consider changing passwords regularly and using supporting applications such as password managers to manage the various passwords you have. This will help you keep your online accounts safe from potential cyber threats. Primary added, another thing to consider is not using the same password as much as possible for all digital platforms and marketplaces, so that if there is a data leak from one of the platforms it will not affect other digital platforms.

2. Beware of Suspicious Links and Promos

Be careful when you want to access suspicious promo links or references either sent via e-mail, WhatsApp, SMS and social media, especially those that promise massive discounts or unreasonable rewards. These kinds of links are often used by hackers to get the personal information they need or even install malware on your device that causes hackers to take control of your device and steal the balances in your bank account and digital wallet.

Make sure you only shop at official and trusted applications and sites. Always check the website's URL address again before entering personal information or financial data. Always verify the authenticity of the source before taking further action.

3. Enable Two Factor Authentication (2FA)

Two Factor Authentication (2FA) provides extra security layers by requesting additional verification, such as the One-Time Password (OTP) code sent to your phone, in addition to passwords. Enable this feature on all online shopping accounts that support it. With 2FA, even if someone manages to get your password, they still need additional verification to access your account.

In addition, make sure to securely store this additional verification information and not share it with anyone. This will help protect your account from unauthorized access.

4. Don't give OTP Code to anyone

Still related to 2FA, OTP codes are secret codes that you can only know. Never share your OTP code with anyone, including parties claiming to be bank officers or marketplaces. OTP codes are used to verify your identity and protect your account from unauthorized access.

If you receive a request to provide an OTP code especially after just filling in a form whose link you receive through a chat application, social media or email, make sure you verify the authenticity of the request first through official channels such as social media or telephones before providing any information. This will help protect your account from potential fraud.

5. Be Careful When Making Digital Payments

When you want to make payments at eCommerce, sometimes there are naughty people who want you to make a direct payment process on their personal account or something different from the one given by eCommerce for various reasons, such as system problems so that the transaction process can run faster. Make sure you only make payments on account or virtual account numbers provided by eCommerce such as Lazada, so that your transaction process becomes safer and more comfortable.