Make sure you’re safe when shopping online this Black Friday

THIS year has been hard enough without getting duped on Black Friday.

I can’t wait to get my hands on some amazing deals. But when it comes to shopping online, it pays to be careful.

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Here are my tips to make the most of it.

No phoneys: Whenever possible, choose to shop using your computer rather than a mobile phone.

Most phones do not have anti-virus software and it is harder to tell whether shortened URLs used on social media are legit or not. Also, wait until you are at home and on a password- protected wifi network.

Public hotspots do not protect your data effectively.

Gut feeling: Stick to popular retailers such as Amazon, Currys and Argos. Avoid shopping anywhere that looks unprofessional, has odd pop-ups or is selling items at prices that seem too good to be true.

Trust your instincts.

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The essentials: Do not reveal any unnecessary personal information. All you need to give is your name, address and payment details. Avoid clicking on links on emails.

Phishing scams can stem from messages that seem legitimate but send you to bogus sites that collect information, then used to steal your identity.

Instead, make sure you type the URL for your chosen retailer directly into the search bar.

Address it: Check that the website you are using has “HTTPS” in the URL — as the “S” indicates your information is being sent to a secure location.

Another sign of a secure site is a small padlock icon on your browser.

Pass it on: Using the same password for every retailer you sign up for may seem like the easy option, but it makes a hacker’s job easy. Use complicated passwords, make them different for each site and change them every few months.

Deal of the day

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THE Vileda steam mop and steam refill bundle is on offer for £59.99, down from £102.98 at vileda.co.uk until Sunday.

SAVE: £42.99

Cheap treat

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HEAD to Home Bargains for a festive jar of Beanies flavoured coffee. Choose from mince pie or Christmas pudding flavours, £1.79.

Store swap

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INSTEAD of paying £10 for the Disney Storybook advent calendar at argos.co.uk, buy it from Asda instead, where it is on offer for just £7.

SAVE: £3

Shop and save

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THE Babyliss Smooth Radiance straightener is on offer for £22.99 at Superdrug, reduced from £49.99 until Tuesday.

SAVE: £27

Play now to win £15,000 on The Sun Raffle

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• PRICES correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.

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This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk