Tag: Shopping

Savvy Irish consumers prioritise spending where prices stay the same

The latest monthly consumer spending report by Revolut, the global financial super app, reveals that the average consumer in Ireland is spending 13.1% more, year on year.

However, Revolut data suggests that many people are prioritising shopping and activities where prices have stayed the same over the past year. Many products and services that haven’t seen average customer spend increase, or by very little, have seen the number of customers increase. Likewise, products and services that have seen average customer spending increase have seen the number of customers fall.

In travel, the average customer purchasing a cruise is spending 18.9% more, year on year, yet the number of customers buying cruises has only increased by 2.2%. In contrast, the number of consumers spending on air travel has increased by 23%, year on year, as the average customer is only spending 3% more. Furthermore, the average consumer is spending the same amount on passenger railways, suggesting that prices have stayed the same, year on year, yet the number of customers has increased by 70%.

Similarly, the average customer spend on buses stayed the same, but the number of customers increased by 6.3%, year on year, and the average customer spend on car rental dipped by 18.7%, but saw the number of customers increase by 65.4%.

Since the end of lockdown, Revolut data has consistently shown the trend of consumers prioritising their spending on activities and experiences. However, the latest Revolut data suggests that consumers in Ireland are being very savvy when it comes to this. The average consumer is spending 12% more on golf courses, suggesting that prices have increased, yet the number of customers has fallen by 7.4%, year on year.

However, average consumer spending on amusement parks, cinema tickets, spas, and gyms, has seen very little to no change, which suggests that stable prices could be part of the reason for the increase in number of customers by 13.4%, 75.5%, 28.3%, and 23.8%, year on year.

In shopping, the number of customers at sporting goods stores decreased by 12.1% as the average customer is spending 13.1% more, suggesting that prices have increased significantly. However, the average customer at a florist is paying the same amount, year on year, but florists have seen the number of customers increase by 9%, and average customer spending at antique shops is down by 5.1%, but they’ve seen the number of customers rocket up by 53.8%.

There is a clear outlier in the Revolut data. Despite an increase in prices, department stores could be having a revival. These stores often aim to make shopping more experiential, which, for the post-lockdown consumer, could explain why the number of customers has increased by 23.3%, year on year, even though the average customer is spending 10.2% more.

ABOUT REVOLUT’S DATA

With millions of customers, Revolut is able to provide ultra-fast, high-frequency anonymised and aggregated data on general consumer spending patterns. Revolut’s data is used by Governments in multiple jurisdictions for analysis and forecasting. In Ireland, Revolut data has been used in a variety of Department of Finance bulletins and was quoted in Budget 2021 forecasts. Revolut has over 2m customers in Ireland, where half of adults with a smartphone use Revolut.

Revolut spending data is set out in the tables below, and is adjusted for the growth in Revolut’s users.

Over half (53%) of Irish shoppers use more vouchers and money-off coupons

Amid rising inflation, 53% of Irish shoppers admit that they are using more vouchers and money off coupons to do their shopping as 71% of Irish consumers say they are spending more on their weekly grocery shop than they were this time last year. Shoppers often rely on reliable sources such as ProxyCoupons to access fresh vouchers and save more on essentials.

The data comes from a new consumer behaviour survey from Talon in Ireland, a leading independent Out of Home (OOH) media agency and was conducted by research partner Spark Market Research. The survey found that a third of respondents are spending €51 or more on their main weekly grocery shop, with most respondents (69%) shopping for 2-4 people in their households.

Moreover, spending is highest amongst shoppers between the ages of 45-54 (76%), with those aged between 25-34 spending the least (67%). The findings suggest that people in the older age cohort are the most financially secure and those in their late 20s and early 30s are feeling the pinch most.

A shift away from Brand Loyalty & the emerging trend of the Savvy Shopper

The study from Talon also reveals that Irish consumers are embracing discount retailers. 54% say they have already switched from their main grocery providers as the cost-of-living crisis bites. With this in mind, Ireland has become a nation of those who are willing to shop around with 63% admitting to shopping in 2-3 different grocery stores a week.

In a bid to cut back on spend, more than half (54%) of Irish shoppers surveyed admit to purchasing supermarket private-label items over brands, but those that do opt for brands are more likely to do so for alcohol (63%), hot and soft drinks (58%) and confectionery (47%) products.

One of the main highlights of the research is the emerging trend of savvy shoppers, who are focusing on planning their weekly shop. 63% of Irish shoppers surveyed say they make shopping lists – with 83% of those writing the list the day of or the day before they do their shop.

With Irish consumers being more selective about how they spend, it is an important time for advertisers to ensure they are planning their OOH advertising campaigns effectively to reach target audiences. Talon has highlighted some top tips to help brands and retailers navigate these new behaviours using Out of Home:

  • Harness the right data – Clever use of data amplifies campaign relevance, transforming Digital Out of Home advertising into a real-time marketing platform. Using data, brands can target those hard-to-reach audiences (25-34s & 18-24s) hitting them with a value message – driving immediate engagement and boosting real-time conversion.
  • Don’t be restrictive – People are exposed to a broad range of mediums every day. A strategically planned multi-format, multi-environment campaign maximises reach and ensures consumers are influenced at all stages of the consumer journey. Brands that include proximity targeting alongside broadcast awareness formats are more likely to be selected by consumers.
  • Think about the journey – There is an opportunity for brands to steal share of mind in the planning phase, and capture consumers’ attention throughout the purchasing journey. Out of Home is a great medium for driving brand awareness through its ability to reach broad audiences, cost effectively.

Caroline Decourcy, Insights Director at Talon in Ireland, said: “Irish consumers are continuing to feel the pressure of the cost-of-living crisis, with many shifting their shopping habits as we become savvier and more selective in our spending. However, there are still ways for brands and retailers to reach consumers effectively. This can be particularly impactful through targeted Out-of-Home (OOH) advertising with value-based messaging that is driven by data insights to reach the right shoppers, at the right time in their purchasing journey and in the right environments.”

Penneys launches new website in Ireland with stock check feature

Penneys has today revealed its new customer website in Ireland, following its successful launch in the UK last year. Created to better connect the journey between searching online and then shopping in store, the new site features thousands of products from across Penneys’ best-selling ranges, as well as a fresh design, enhanced navigation and a brand-new feature that allows customers to check stock availability and size in their local Penneys store.  

A virtual shop window to explore what awaits in store, the new website features a much wider selection of the latest Penneys collections and everyday essentials across fashion, homeware, lifestyle, beauty and more. So, whether that’s checking out new denim fits and ranges, finding out who is behind the latest must-have collaboration or exploring what’s new in your favourite department, the new site will allow people to browse, explore and be inspired.  

As well as being able to check if an item is in stock in their local store, Penneys fans will now be able to view more product images and access more detailed product information – covering fabric and materials, and care instructions which until now would only be found on the label or packaging.  Customers will also be able to create an account, giving them access to a brand-new ‘Wishlist’ function which enables them to select and save their favourite products for later as well as giving them the ability to choose their local store for browsing on the site and sign up to a newsletter to receive all the latest Penneys news and sneak peaks of new collections. 

Damien O’Neill, Head of Penneys Ireland and Northern Ireland, said: “We are delighted to launch our new website in Ireland today; we know our Penneys customers love coming into our stores, but we now want to make it easier for them to see what’s in store by showcasing a much wider selection of our products online, enabling them to browse and check stock availability in their local store before visiting. Our ranges showcase our strong commitment to value, something we know matters more than ever to our customers right now and our website will help us to shine a spotlight on the breadth of fashionable and affordable choices available in our stores across Ireland.”  

As consumers continue to grapple with the cost-of-living crisis, Penneys is continuing its commitment to offering the best value and choice in Irish retail to its customers in Ireland. The new website showcases our value offering with great trends for every occasion that can be found in our stores. From lounging at home or working out to office wear or a night on the tiles, Penneys has everyone covered with the best value on the high street. 

Last Autumn, Penneys also announced its commitment to protect prices on more than a thousand of its essential kids’ products, as it seeks to help family finances go further. Shoppers can be confident that as we start 2023, prices will continue to be held across many of its most popular kids’ lines, from underwear to t-shirts, to dresses and jeans.  

Penneys Stock Checker

Looking ahead, Primark’s new website will continue to be rolled out across its remaining 13 markets in the coming months. 

The new website can be found at: https://www.primark.com/en-ie  

  • Latest Fashion and Homewares – The biggest ever range of Penneys products will now be available to browse online.   
  • More and better images – Bringing products to life with better imagery and multiple shots for most products – flat lays and modelled.  
  • More product information – More detailed information about materials and composition, care info and instructions.   
  • Easier to find – New search features will make it even easier to research and browse the Primark ranges online.  
  • Stock Checker – The ability to check availability in store at the product/size level, with the following guide:  
    • Green – The item is in stock  
    • Orange – Stock is running low on this product  
    • Red – This item is now sold out / out of stock  
    • Grey – This item is not available in this store.  
  • Personalised content – customers will be able to create their own accounts to save their shopping preferences, receive personalised updates from Primark via email and create and save a Wishlist of their favourite products.  
  • Newsletter sign up – customers will be able to sign up to receive an email newsletter to keep up to date with all the latest Primark news.  
  • Social integration – Closer integration with its social channels to allow customers in Ireland to link directly through to the website for all product info.  

 

Samsung and Sprinklr Partner to Reinvent the Shopping Experience

Sprinklr, the unified customer experience management (Unified-CXM) platform for modern enterprises, today announced that Sprinklr is now an official Software Partner for Samsung, an industry leader in the global display market. As a Software Partner, the Sprinklr platform is now available as an integrated app for Samsung SMART Signage and Hospitality Displays.

Leveraging Sprinklr’s platform enables Samsung to deliver content and data from more than 30 social and digital channels directly via their commercial display products. Users can update information in real time and manage 100% remotely with Samsung’s service offerings. Moreover,  Samsung is also an official reseller for Sprinklr, now offering Sprinklr capabilities directly to their customer base.

“Shoppers expect to receive a positive first impression when interacting with a brand. These rising customer expectations are prompting retailers to rely on  Samsung to create meaningful experiences for their customer base through the use of display technologies in their stores,” said Parrish Chapman, Director, Enterprise Retail Sales Key Accounts at Samsung Electronics America. “Our partnership with Sprinklr helps our retail customers meet this mission by consolidating social media content, promotions and reviews that are updated in real-time while consumers are shopping.”

Samsung and Sprinklr announced the partnership at NRF and will be showcasing how customers such as The Honest Worm and Duck Donuts are leveraging the integration and capabilities at both the Samsung and Sprinklr Booths during the show.

“Delivering real-time, customizable data and content from digital channels to consumers will help retailers revolutionize the shopping experience,” said Doug Balut, Senior Vice President of Global Alliances, Sprinklr. “By pairing Sprinklr’s Unified-CXM platform with the industry-leading digital signage and displays from Samsung, companies can enhance the seamless experience of customers, differentiate their stores and brand, and drive business results.” 

To see the partnership in action during NRF, visit Samsung at booth #3657 or Sprinklr at booth #4061.

Buymie to expand outside grocery vertical with Woodie’s partnership

Woodie’s, the market leader in DIY, home and garden, today announces that it is partnering with same-day delivery platform buymie.

From October 10th, customers in South East Dublin can avail of buymie’s personal shopping services to order 20,000 DIY and home improvement products from their nearest Woodie’s store and receive their shopping to their doorstep in as little as two hours.

The new service named “Woodie’s powered by buymie” emulates the successful and extended UK trial “Asda Express powered by buymie” in Leeds and Bristol where buymie has integrated into the leading retailer’s broad offering of delivery options.

The customised Woodie’s app was designed by buymie in partnership with the Woodie’s team,  which will see the retailer leverage the innovative routing and delivery capabilities of buymie, as well as its dedicated network of independent personal shoppers. It makes them the first retailer in Ireland to access buymie’s newest platform enterprise technology.

The new Woodie’s powered by buymie app will be available in both app stores from mid October. In addition, existing buymie app shoppers will have the ability to shop Woodie’s extensive product catalogue via the buymie app.

The pilot will initially see shopping services being provided exclusively in South East Dublin, with a view to expanding nationally soon after.

Items will be picked and packed from the shelves by a dedicated team in Woodie’s and buymie personal shoppers will deliver the order at the selected time or in as little as two hours.  buymie’s delivery services will cater for small to medium-sized products such as paint, tools, accessories and seasonal lines.

Woodie’s is 100% Irish owned and the market leader for DIY, home and garden. They offer an extensive range of paint, DIY tools, gardening, homewares and seasonal products.

The partnership is the ‘first of its kind’ for buymie as it expands its personal, same-day service into a new vertical while maintaining its commitment to facilitating efficient and sustainable personal shopping services to time-poor individuals and families.

Suzanne Quinn, Woodie’s Chief Commercial Officer, said:

Our online business has seen rapid growth in recent years and this partnership allows us to further build and grow our omnichannel proposition, keeping ease and expertise at our core. This partnership with buymie is an important step for us as we continue to find new ways to help our customers shop the way that suits them.

Speaking about the partnership, Devan Hughes, CEO & Co-Founder of buymie said: “We have all run out of paint during a project and done the run to Woodie’s in our overalls! We are thrilled to launch this trial with a household brand like Woodie’s who is keen to expand the same-day delivery offering to Woodie’s and buymie customers. This trial demonstrates buymie’s wider ambition to bring the same-day, delivery model outside of the traditional grocery shopping space and to other areas in the wider retail sphere while continuing our commitment in delighting time-poor individuals”.

Founded in 2016, buymie is a leading player in the rapidly evolving same day grocery delivery market. The business has expanded to a team of 70+ with a network of over 400 personal shoppers to meet the increasing demand for grocery home delivery, a trend which has accelerated dramatically during the Covid-19 pandemic.

By using local personal shoppers picking from local stores, the buymie delivery service has been delighting time-poor customers in Ireland and the UK. Customers are able to note specific preferences on their orders and can opt-in for a call from their shopper in-store if items are out of stock. Unlike traditional eCommerce solutions, buymie can deliver on the same day and can fulfil orders in as little as 1-hour.

buymie works closely with official Irish retail partners Dunnes Stores and Lidl. The new partnership with Woodies will see buymie branch outside the traditional grocery space and into alternative areas of retail for the first time.

Consumers who are interested in getting their shopping delivered through buymie can download the buymie app for either iOS or Android devices.

45% of Irish consumers expect to spend more money during the World Cup 2022

45% of Irish consumers expect to spend more money during the World Cup 2022, as revealed in new consumer research of 250 Irish respondents aged 18+ conducted by Talon Ireland and Bounce Insights.

Ireland is a nation of football enthusiasts, with football being the second most-watched sport. Despite not competing in the tournament, Talon Ireland expects to see increased engagement and movement from this audience profile.

The consumer behaviour study identifies two viewing opportunities – In home viewership and Out-of-Home viewership. 50% of respondents will be watching the matches at home. 27% planning to watch the matches in the pub and 11% of those surveyed are unsure of their plans yet, only knowing that they will be watching with friends – providing an opportunity to connect.

Out-of-Home Viewership: Targeting Opportunities

Data from Talon Ireland and Bounce Insights shows that Irish consumers are planning to walk (34%), drive (22%), taxi (17%), bus or DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) (17%) to watch the game, this highlights huge opportunities for Out-of-home (OOH) advertising. With most matches kicking off around the afternoon time, there is further opportunity for brands to capitalise on dynamic digital Out-of-Home (OOH) as brands can build up excitement and hype in the morning and target consumers who are out and about before the games begin.

In-Home Viewership: Targeting Opportunities

Irish fans plan on spending more on food and drink to elevate their In-home experiences. This year, given the tournament timing, there are likely to be more spontaneous gatherings than normal, all accompanied by food and drink. According to the data, snacks (66%) and beer (54%) are the items at the top of everyone’s list, creating a huge revenue opportunity for brands in this sector. Not to mention pizza (46%), crisps (45%), wine (22%), Chinese (18%), spirits (16%) and Indian (5%).

Although reports state that Irish consumers plan on cutting spending due to Inflation concerns, this new data reveals that the impact of the World Cup on consumer spending is still massive, especially given that this year’s tournament aligns with Christmas. 45% of respondents have admitted that they will be spending more money during the World Cup, with 47% unsure of the amount they will be spending and only a small minority (9%) saying they will be spending less.

Aoife Hudson, Deputy Managing Director at Talon Ireland, said: “With the world’s most anticipated sporting event of 2022 kicking off in November this year, and the final game set to take place just a week before Christmas, the advertising sector is gearing itself up for a very busy Q4. Without a doubt brands and advertisers need to put their best creative foot forward and tackle this quarter head-on. And Out-of-Home advertising (OOH) is the ultimate creative canvas for brands to capitalise on consumer interest for this once in four-year opportunity.”

With anticipation building, now is a critical time for brands to start planning their Out-of-Home (OOH) campaigns and gain that competitive advantage against their competitors. Talon Ireland has highlighted a few tips for advertisers to remember when planning World Cup campaigns:

  1. Preliminary planning. The timing of the FIFA World Cup tournament is a first for many. It begins on the 21st of November right through to the 18th of December which brings us right up to Christmas week. Traditionally it is the busiest time of year for advertising, however, this year even more so, putting strain on inventory availability.
  2. Be creative. Creativity is one of the most powerful weapons under a marketer’s control. There are countless studies to prove that creative Out-of-Home campaigns increase effectiveness. In this digital era, if your creative is compelling enough, people will do the amplification for you.
  3. Multi-environment approach. Growing investment, acceleration in digital and increased innovation means Out-of-Home formats can help your brand capture the full attention of the consumer through a multi-environment approach. Our research gave us insight into where spectators will be watching these games. Your campaign can be built into each environment they visit, from the moment they leave their house right through to their final destination.

What Is an ASP.NET Shopping Cart and What Are the Benefits?

Online businesses have multiplied, with up to 80% of today’s customers preferring to shop online. Having an online presence as a business is no longer a luxury but an important strategy to help you keep up with the high competition right now. With online shopping, customers are guaranteed an easy way to shop without having to visit stores physically. Online shopping has paved the way for the creation of different websites that have helped link up most brands together in one area to make shopping much easier. 

A shopping cart is an essential part of every online business. It is a tool that helps customers select and reserve their products while shopping. It acts like a traditional physical shopping cart, but in this case, it is more advanced. You can easily remove and enter new products without the cart getting filled. 

To learn more about this interesting topic, here is an introduction to using an ASP.NET shopping cart for your online business. 

Features of an ASP.NET Shopping Cart 

There are various features of an ASP.NET shopping cart. They include the following. 

  • Search filters – An ASP.NET shopping cart is backed up with strong search filters that make it easier for customers to identify relevant items and narrow them down to their desired products in a span of seconds. 
  • Mobile-friendliness – Most people today spend hours on their mobile phones, either on social media or making purchases online. Therefore, to prosper in this competitive market, you need to make use of mobile-friendly ecommerce tools. Virto Commerce provides ASP.NET shopping cart technology that is mobile-friendly and has made it easier for anyone to shop for products online, anywhere. 
  • Different payment methods – Statistics show that 80% of shoppers are only likely to finalize their payment if the online site they use supports their payment method. Therefore, while investing in a shopping cart, make sure it supports various payment methods. A simple example of one is the ASP.NET shopping cart, which supports various payment methods, making it easier for customers to finalize their payments. 

Benefits of Using an ASP.NET Shopping Cart

There are numerous benefits of an ASP.NET shopping cart. Here are some of the top ones.

  • Easy and simple features – An ASP.NET shopping cart comes with easy-to-use features that anyone within the business can understand. This makes it easier for your customers to use the system to store their products before purchasing them. 
  • Easy product management – Product management is an important tool in every business today. Both the customers and the sellers should have easier product management from their point of view. This makes it easier for customers to add products or delete them before making the final payment. 
  • Secure and safe – Shopping online has always presented security concerns for most people, especially when one is using a new website. But with the ASP.NET shopping cart, customers are guaranteed a safe environment to enter their credit or debit card information without having to worry about hackers. This has made it more appealing for customers to store up to twenty products in their shopping carts while waiting to make their final purchases. 
  • Easily customizable – Ecommerce sites have to be updated regularly, whether it is when changing prices, adding discounts, or so on. In this case, one has to use a shopping cart that is easily customizable to meet every customer’s needs. 

Conclusion 

The ASP.NET shopping cart has made it easier for customers to shop since it stores all their items in one place, making it more convenient for them to make purchases. This, on the other hand, has improved the overall management of an online business while creating a more organized website.

 

Big Savers Tighten their Belts while Shopping Online

As the cost of living rises online shoppers are becoming more prudent. The survey has found that the majority of adults will shop around online to find the most pocket-friendly option before making a purchase. According to the survey over half (51%) of all adults will spend less on online shopping with 83% of respondents admitting they will shop around more given the current increase in the cost of living.

Dmac Media Director, Dave McEvoy commented:

“This survey shows that shoppers are willing to spend more time browsing for the best price and delivery, which means more opportunity for retailers to compete.   People are definitely tightening their belts, shopping around and thinking longer before making a purchase.  This makes it vital for businesses with an online store to monitor closely how their items are selling and adjust accordingly.  Retailers also need to highlight delivery time and cost to take advantage of the increase in more frugal visitors”

When shopping online, certain factors heavily influence adults spending habits with the majority (80%) admitting product prices are they biggest influence. Free or discounted shipping was the second highest factor with 71% of respondents admitting making their purchase decision when these were available. The survey results show that in the next six months, 75% of online shoppers are likely to make an online purchase of clothing or apparel. This is on trend with the overconsumption of fast fashion and although there is a significant emphasis being put on the impact fast fashion has on the planet it does not seem to deter people from indulging in new attire online. Other than clothes, gifts or giftware, home and garden supplies, groceries, food and takeaways will be top of the online shopping list of Irish consumers in the coming months.

The results of the survey carried out by Dmac Media show the average spend online per month overall is €149.93 and the average number of Online stores visited is 3.2.

The convenience and options are endless which makes shopping around and saving money easier than ever before. The overall increase in living costs will be a factor in how much disposable income is there to be spent and will force online shoppers to shop around and find the best offers that suits their needs. Overall online shopping has a part to play in the everyday lives of adults across Ireland and will continue to do so.

The survey was conducted iReach Insights for Dmac Media. The research report provides insights into online shopping influences and purchase triggers. The report also provides insights into future online purchase plans and the average spend online per month and websites visited.

Research results now available online at https://dmacmedia.ie/industry-insights

7 tips to avoid scams and protect your money when shopping online this Christmas

While most people are aware that there are dangers associated with shopping online, many are unaware of how their data is used and what the consequences could be. Cyber criminals can use your personal data to open credit card and bank accounts in your name, make purchases using your accounts (including illegal items), obtain credit cash advances and even steal your identity.

This holiday season could be a lucrative time of year for these criminals who anticipate that consumers may lower their guard slightly during the rush to bag the best deals on sought after items.

Tom Gaffney, Security Consultant from F-Secure, is issuing advice to consumers on how they can stay safe when shopping online in the run up to Christmas and beyond…

 

  1. BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU SHOP

You may be desperate to get hold of that best-selling toy that’s at the top of your little one’s wish-list, or the new PS5/Xbox Series S/X for your teen, but be careful where you buy from as scams can take place on any kind of online platform, from Amazon to Facebook. It’s also not uncommon for fraudsters to set up fake ecommerce sites.

Firstly, keep in mind that if anything online seems too good to be true – it probably is. If a seller is actually selling a very high-demand item, expect the price to be high.

If you’re wary of a site, do your research – Google is full of retailer reviews. Saying that, online reviews can be faked so if you see nothing but positive feedback and can’t tell if the writers are legit, follow your instincts. Also, check the website for a physical location and customer service information and see if their social media channels are active. Another key feature to look for is the little lock symbol that appears in the corner of the URL field. This indicates that the website you’re on is safe. Also make sure that the website you’re on is “https” not “http” as the ‘s’ stands for secure.

Once you’ve checked that it’s a legitimate site, use a credit card where possible for added safety as most offer consumer protection against fraudulent sites.

If you’re buying directly from someone i.e. via Facebook marketplace make sure you talk to the seller and ask for more information if necessary, for example the pictures of the product itself with a handwritten note to prove legitimacy. Never give out your details directly to the seller over email or messaging apps, but use the marketplace’s functionalities or services such as PayPal to do the transactions. Never use PayPal Friends and Family transactions when buying things online as PayPal does not reimburse payments sent using this functionality, or transfer money directly into their bank account.

 

  1. CREATE STRONG UNIQUE PASSWORDS TO PROTECT YOUR ACCOUNTS

Most ecommerce sites will require you to set up an account to make a purchase. The average person has 18 password protected accounts and worryingly, recent F-Secure research found that 41% of people use the same password on multiple accounts and 56% use the same password with only slight variations. This means that if your login information gets stolen on one website, it’s likely that your other accounts will also be compromised.

It’s vital to have strong, unique passwords for accounts to be protected and that you regularly change these. A password manager such as F-Secure ID PROTECTION can help you remember all your login details so you don’t need to worry about losing or forgetting them.

To give your online account additional protection, where possible you should also turn on two-factor authentication (2FA). This is a way for the service you’re using to check you really are the person you claim to be when logging in.

 

  1. REGULARLY DELETE COOKIES FROM YOUR BROWSER

Cookie banners pop-up every time we visit a website and most of us will click ‘accept’ without thinking. Cookies are small files that websites send to your device that the sites then use to monitor you and remember certain information about you i.e. what’s in your shopping cart, or your login information. Basically, cookies track you as you browse.

It’s important to delete cookies because:

  • They pose a security threat whereby hackers can potentially gain access to your browser sessions and steal your personal data

  • Over time you could accumulate a lot of cookies which will slow your browser down

  • Cookies store your personal information and enable websites to track and follow you round the web, developing a profile of your online habits and targeting you with ads

  1. AVOID SHOPPING IN PUBLIC – YOU CAN ENJOY A HOT DRINK BUT NOT THE PUBLIC WIFI

 

Using public Wi-Fi to shop online while at your favourite coffee shop may be convenient but it’s not cyber safe. Avoid making purchases via public Wi-Fi as you could end up compromising your data and financial information. Cyber criminals often target these hot spots to steal confidential information from unsuspecting users, such as passwords or credit card details, leaving them susceptible to identity theft and fraud.

If you must use public Wi-Fi then make sure you have a VPN installed such as F-Secure FREEDOME. VPNs offer you complete privacy for your activities online, no one will be able to track you or see what you are doing, not even your Internet Service Provider. A VPN will block harmful websites and hacking attempts, encrypt data to protect your real IP address and online traffic and protect you when you’re using public Wi-Fi.

 

  1. BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU CLICK ON AND STAY ALERT TO PHISHING SCAMS

Between April 2020 and March 2021, online shopping scams were up 65% on the previous year, with a whopping £69.9m lost to fraudsters. Beware of adverts which encourage you to click on links. If you receive an enticing offer, rather than click on the link, go directly to the website to verify that the offer is legitimate.

Phishing scams, where online criminals trick you into handing over personal details which are then used for account takeover or identity theft, are especially common during Christmas and Black Friday seasons. Consumer group Which? recently reported that three in five of us have had fake delivery company texts over the past year. The message often contains a link that takes you to a scam website and may warn of a failed parcel delivery and ask for payment. They are often sent using a fake appearance of huge brands that you trust and expect communication from like DPD, Royal Mail or FedEx.

To avoid being caught out don’t click links in SMS messages, especially if they say you have limited time to respond as this is a common tactic scammers use to pressure you. Check the URL of the link to make sure it matches the company website address. Do not call the number provided and under no circumstances hand over personal information such as your card details.

 

  1. BROWSER SECURITY – DOWNLOAD F-SECURE TOTAL AND START BROWSING THE INTERNET SAFELY AND SECURELY

Many people are unaware that they should configure security settings within their browser to enable safer internet surfing. Regardless of which browser you use (Internet Explorer, Safari, Chrome or Firefox), each gives you options to disable cookies and block security risks such as malicious software (malware) that can sneak in through infected pop-ups, plug-ins and extensions, compromising your security.

Default browser settings leave your data exposed so at a minimum you should:

●      Disable pop-ups and redirections as cyber criminals could use these to spread malicious software

●      Don’t allow automatic downloads as these could contain malware and viruses. Ask to be prompted before downloading anything

●      Turn on “Send a do not track request” to help prevent websites from tracking you

●      Don’t allow browsers to save passwords as although it’s convenient it creates a security risk. Malware that captures keystrokes can steal information. Also, if a laptop falls into the wrong hands, it doesn’t take much for a hacker to find the stored password information

At the very least, make sure you update your browser on all your devices regularly as using old software can provide a way for hackers to break into networks. Updates will address security issues and also help your browser run better. F-Secure TOTAL will give you all the protection you need to secure your online activities, your devices and yourself.

 

  1. KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR CREDIT CARD AND BANKING TRANSACTIONS

If your credit card information gets compromised, there can be charges without you knowing. Review your monthly statements to find any suspicious activity. Contact your bank immediately in case of anything unknown.

A good way to protect your money online is to restrict which countries your credit card will work in. Just remember to change the settings back when you need your card abroad.