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5 tips for safe online shopping
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In the first quarter of 2024 alone, U.S. retail e-commerce sales totaled nearly $300 billion, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. But as popular as online shopping has become, there are also increasing risks to consider, as cybercriminals are constantly looking for ways to steal money and conduct identity theft.
In 2023, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center received a 10% increase in complaints from the American public, totaling 880,418, with potential losses of over $12.5 billion, a 22% increase from the year prior. But while there are a range of cybercrimes to worry about when shopping online, there are also ways to reduce the risks.
And that starts with using a combination of common sense practices and technology. Here’s what you should know.
Find out how LifeLock can help protect your identity online now.
5 tips for safe online shopping
Consider the following five tips for safer online shopping:
Do your research
Part of the fun of online shopping is discovering new products from new retailers, but you want to keep your guard up if you’re buying from a site you’re not familiar with. One safe online shopping tip from the National Council on Aging is to review the Better Business Bureau (BBB) listings for these online companies. If an e-commerce site was set up to scam people, for instance, then you might see a lot of BBB complaints.
Sometimes online shopping involves buying from accounts through social media sites. In that case, you might take steps like seeing if they have verified profiles, as well as reading customer reviews.
Find out how LifeLock helps you fight back against online identity theft.
Review site security features
You should also review site security features, such as checking to see whether a website starts with https, which means the site encrypts information, explains the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
But even if you think you know the site, you should still look for this information, as well as a padlock icon next to the URL, which serves as another security indicator. That’s because you might have made a mistake, like typing one wrong letter, that leads to a phishing site. These types of sites look legitimate but have been set up to commit credit card theft or identity theft.
Be careful what you click on
One of the biggest dangers of online shopping is that you’ll fall victim to a phishing attack, which typically starts with an email claiming to be from a retailer or shipping company about your order. When you click on the link, though, the email takes you to a site that asks you to input information, like your bank or credit card numbers, which goes directly to cybercriminals, for example.
So, it’s important to be careful about any links you click on, not only through email but also other channels, like social media platforms and pop-up ads. If you’re not sure of the validity, try going directly to the source. For example, instead of following the link in an email about your supposed Amazon order, go directly to your Amazon account from your web browser to check the status of that order.
That said, accidents happen, and it can be hard to always know what’s safe or not. In turn, it can be helpful to have backup. Using a service like LifeLock can improve your online shopping privacy while also giving you the protections you may need in case you do become a victim of identity theft or credit card theft. For example, LifeLock Ultimate Plus memberships provide up to $1 million in stolen funds reimbursement.
Use a VPN
Another way to reduce the risks of online shopping is to use a reputable virtual private network (VPN) provider for browsing online, especially if you’re using a public Wi-Fi network.
As the National Cybersecurity Alliance explains, public networks, like those at cafes or airports, aren’t very secure. If using these networks while online shopping, it’s possible that a bad actor would be able to digitally see you input your credit card information, for example, and that could enable them to use that data themselves. But connecting via a VPN can help you gain more privacy if you need to complete an order while out.
Here too, LifeLock can help, as memberships come with VPN access.
Consider your payment method
When it’s time to complete your order, think twice about how you pay for the purchase.
One way to reduce the risks of online shopping is to pay by credit card, as the FTC suggests. That’s because you have the right to dispute credit card charges, and you might face less liability for fraudulent purchases compared to some other payment methods.
If you want to go a step further, you can use a virtual credit card number, which many credit card companies offer. That way, if the virtual card number gets exposed, at least your main credit card number can remain unknown. Virtual credit cards can also have lower spending limits, which can limit the fallout of a breach.
Lastly, be mindful of situations where an online store asks for a specific, niche payment method and won’t accept others. Asking for payment using gift cards or wire transfers is a red flag that means you shouldn’t go through with the transaction, according to the FBI’s Portland, Oregon field office.
The bottom line
Online shopping can be fun, but it also can be risky. To reduce the chances of financial fallout due to issues like online shopping scams or data breaches, it helps to follow these best practices. It can also help to use safer online shopping technology and identity monitoring services in conjunction, like those from LifeLock.
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How to watch the Arizona Cardinals vs. Miami Dolphins NFL game today: Livestream options, more
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The Arizona Cardinals vs. Miami Dolphins NFL game will be played today. The Cardinals are taking on the Dolphins following a close 17-15 win over the Los Angeles Chargers — a big victory after a tough loss to the Green Bay Packers the game prior. The Dolphins were defeated 16-10 in their latest game to the Indianapolis Colts.
Here’s what to know on how and when to watch the Arizona Cardinals vs. Miami Dolphins game today, even if you don’t have cable.
How and when to watch the Arizona Cardinals vs. Miami Dolphins game
The Cardinals vs. Miami Dolphins game will be played on Sunday, October 27, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. ET (10:00 a.m. PT). The game will air on Fox and stream on Fubo and the platforms featured below.
How and when to watch the Arizona Cardinals vs. Miami Dolphins game without cable
You can watch Fox through several streaming services if it’s not included in your cable package or if you don’t have cable. All you need is an internet connection and the top options outlined below.
Watch the Arizona Cardinals vs. Miami Dolphins game for free with Fubo
Fubo, a contract-free live TV streaming service offering comprehensive sports coverage, gives you an easy, user-friendly way to watch NFL games on CBS, Fox, NBC, ABC, ESPN and the NFL Network, plus NCAA football channels. The Pro tier ($80/month, first month $50) includes 200+ channels and unlimited DVR, while the Elite with Sports Plus tier ($100/month, first month $70) adds NFL RedZone and 4K resolution. New subscribers get a seven-day free trial and $30 off their first month, with all plans allowing streaming on up to 10 screens simultaneously.
Watch today’s Arizona Cardinals vs. Miami Dolphins game on Sling
One of the most cost-effective ways to watch major sporting events is through a subscription to Sling’s Orange + Blue tier ($60/month, currently half-off first month at $30), which includes ESPN, ABC, NBC, and Fox. The plan offers 46 channels with local NFL games, nationally broadcast games and 50 hours of DVR storage. For complete NFL coverage, add Paramount+ to get CBS games, or upgrade with the Sports Extra add-on for additional sports channels like Golf Channel, NBA TV and NFL RedZone.
Watch the Arizona Cardinals vs. Miami Dolphins game on Hulu + Live TV
You can watch NFL games, including Fox broadcasts, with Hulu + Live TV, which includes 90 channels, unlimited DVR storage, and access to NFL preseason games, live regular season games and studio shows. The service costs $77 per month (with a three-day free trial) and includes ESPN+ and Disney+ in the subscription.
Want to watch today’s game live on your smartphone? The NFL+ streaming service ($40/year or $7/month) lets you watch NFL Network and out-of-market games on mobile devices, with an upgrade option to NFL+ Premium that includes NFL RedZone for watching up to eight games simultaneously. Note that NFL+ only works on phones and tablets, not TVs.
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How to watch the Baltimore Ravens vs. Cleveland Browns game today: Livestream options, more
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The Baltimore Ravens vs. Cleveland Browns game will be played today. The game will be played at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, Ohio. It’ll mark the second time in less than a week that the Ravens have hit the field after playing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday. The Browns, meanwhile, are coming off an October 20 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals and are just 1-6 so far this season.
Keep reading to find out how and when to watch the Baltimore Ravens vs. Cleveland Browns game today, even if you don’t have cable.
CBS, Paramount+ and CBS Essentials are all subsidiaries of Paramount Global.
How and when to watch the Baltimore Ravens vs. Cleveland Browns game today
The Baltimore Ravens vs. Cleveland Browns game will be played on Sunday, October 27, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. ET (10:00 a.m. PT). The NFL football game will air on CBS, and stream on Paramount+ and the platforms featured below.
How and when to watch the Baltimore Ravens vs. Cleveland Browns game without cable
While CBS is available with many basic cable packages, you don’t need to worry if you don’t have access. Whether you have cable or have completely cut the cord, the game will be available with a variety of other options. Just note that the below streaming options will require the use of an internet provider:
Paramount+: Watch CBS-aired NFL games without cable
With Paramount+ you’ll have multiple viewing options to choose from. You can catch NFL games on the Paramount+ Essential tier for just $7.99 each month or you can watch college football with a Paramount+ with Showtime subscription for $12.99 monthly. In addition to live streams of NFL games airing on CBS, you’ll get to watch additional live sporting events including NCAA college football, PGA Tour golf, soccer and more.
Get started with Paramount+ here today.
Amazon Prime Video: Add Paramount+ to your existing subscription
Already have an Amazon Prime Video account? Simply add Paramount+ to your current subscription to watch all the CBS-aired NFL games in addition to Paramount+ originals. The same prices from above apply, depending on which tier you choose. Not sure which is best for you? Don’t worry. Both options come with a free seven-day trial that can help you decide.
Watch the Ravens-Browns game on Amazon Prime Video.
Fubo: Watch the Ravens-Browns game for free
If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to watch a variety of football games, Fubo could be the best way to do so. The live TV streamer is currently offering a seven-day free trial and $30 off of your first month’s subscription. Once subscribed, you’ll gain access to all of their live sporting events immediately. And there will be a lot to choose from. Not only does Fubo come with access to NFL games airing on your local CBS channel, it also includes Fox Sunday NFC games, “Sunday Night Football” on NBC, “Monday Night Football” on ABC and ESPN and all of the games that air on the NFL Network. So don’t wait.
Get started with Fubo online now.
Waiting for the game to start? As the season rolls on you may want to stock up on the latest NFL gear and merchandise. Fanatics is a great way to do so. With the latest player t-shirts, jerseys, hoodies and more, there’s plenty of stuff in stock to keep you covered this season. But don’t wait much longer. As each week in the season passes by competition for this limited merchandise will increase. Don’t wait for it to sell out.
Head over to Fanatics now to check out the latest NFL fan gear drop.