Digital consumption - beware of risks

DIGITAL CONSUMPTION NEEDS TO BE SMART

In the past, consumers often chose to shop directly at supermarkets and stores, but in recent years, many people have gradually switched to online shopping through e-commerce platforms and online shopping applications. This brings convenience to both buyers and sellers, and many businesses and individual businesses have chosen to do business online to reach a variety of customers. However, online shopping is also revealing many shortcomings and risks that consumers need to pay attention to.

“Although I am quite careful when shopping online, only choosing to buy from large, reputable sales sites, the risk of personal information disclosure when shopping still occurs. Recently, I have often received calls and text messages from phone numbers claiming to be employees of large companies to notify me of winning prizes, invite me to participate in projects, etc. These are all fraudulent phone numbers that play on the psychology of consumers. Therefore, I limit public transactions, and raise my awareness of protecting information related to myself to avoid being exploited by bad guys to exploit personal information” - Ms. Nguyen Thi Hai Yen, Tien Thanh ward, Dong Xoai city shared.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hai Yen, Tien Thanh Ward, Dong Xoai City (right cover) raises awareness of personal information security to avoid being exploited by bad guys.

In the context of the market gradually shifting towards digitalization, e-commerce and multi-channel consumption are increasingly developing, online shopping has become a habit of consumers. Along with that, there are also many cases of fraud, disputes related to e-commerce channels, digital consumption. Therefore, reputable businesses have built their own websites, products with full information, QR code labels to protect their brands along with sales and warranty policies to prevent and combat counterfeit goods.

Mr. Nguyen Hoang Dat, Director of Vinahe Company Limited, Phuoc Long town said: When participating in e-commerce channels such as: Tiki, Lazada, Sendo, Shopee ..., we provide full certification documents and when these units sell on e-commerce platforms, they must show customers that the products have 4-star OCOP certification, geographical indications, Halal, ISO standards on processing procedures and all information of the business to prove to customers about the reliability of the product. This helps improve the effectiveness in preventing and combating counterfeit goods and commercial fraud.

It is necessary to minimize the posting of personal and private information on social networks; use strong, secure passwords for accounts; do not provide too complete and detailed personal information on social networks; regularly update the operating system to patch security holes for devices, avoid revealing personal information and data. Most importantly, users themselves must protect themselves and be vigilant against free applications on cyberspace.

Mr. NGUYEN CONG THANG, Director of Information Technology Center, VNPT Binh Phuoc

“To protect myself from risks when shopping online, before buying a product, I often refer to product reviews and comments to have a clearer and more accurate view of the product I intend to buy. Carefully check the website address, choose to buy from reputable and reliable addresses, with sales, return, warranty, complaint policies and full contact information” - Ms. Nguyen Thi Hai in Long Tan commune, Phu Rieng district confided.

RISK OF PERSONAL INFORMATION THEFT

According to the Department of Information Security, Ministry of Information and Communications, 20% of the causes of personal information disclosure and leakage belong to service providers, but up to 80% of the causes come from the carelessness of users. There are many cases of personal information and data disclosure and leakage that users often do not pay attention to or do not have the basic skills to avoid.

Personal information is simply understood as all information about name, photo, place of residence, phone number, email address, bank account... The disclosure of personal information when shopping on digital platforms causes users to encounter many troubles and annoyances due to spam messages, advertising messages, calls inviting to borrow money, buy a house, participate in prizes...

As the market gradually shifts towards digitalization, e-commerce and multi-channel consumption become consumer habits. In the photo: People provide information when shopping at stores in Dong Xoai City

Mr. Hoang Van Hau, Deputy Director in charge of the Information and Communications Technology Center, Department of Information and Communications of Binh Phuoc province, said: There are 3 main groups of scams taking place in cyberspace, which are brand counterfeiting, account hijacking and other combined forms, with 24 forms such as: "cheap travel combo"; Deepfake video call scam; Deepvoice (a variant of Deepfake technology, using AI and complex algorithms to fake anyone's voice); "SIM lock" scam because subscribers have not been standardized; tricks of impersonating financial companies and banks; installing applications, advertising links for gambling, betting, black credit; stock investment scams, virtual currency, multi-level marketing; online collaborator recruitment scams; impersonating police agencies, prosecutors, courts to make fraudulent phone calls... Each group of subjects and bad guys carry out different forms of enticement, their common goal is to gain trust, steal user information, and then appropriate property. Therefore, when participating in electronic transactions, it is necessary to have basic knowledge, choose a reputable website, and limit providing personal information to others.

The trend of digital consumption will continue to explode in the coming time, although the authorities have implemented many solutions to raise awareness of online fraud, the most important issue still comes from the people. Each person must equip themselves with knowledge and skills to become a smart consumer, proactively alert and cautious to avoid being taken advantage of and scammed by bad guys in cyberspace.

Mr. HOANG VAN HAU, Deputy Director in charge of Information and Communication Technology Center, Department of Information and Communication of Binh Phuoc province

In order to raise awareness and knowledge about online fraud, and protect people from potential risks in cyberspace, the Ministry of Information and Communications has just launched the campaign "Action month to propagate and identify and prevent online fraud". The implementation period is from June 23 to July 23 under the chairmanship of the Department of Information Security. Binh Phuoc is also strengthening propaganda solutions to raise awareness and knowledge about online fraud, and protect people from potential risks in cyberspace.

Binh Phuoc is aiming for the digital economy to account for 20% of GRDP by 2025. To realize this goal, e-commerce plays an extremely important role. In the context of comprehensive digital transformation and strong development of cyberspace, the self-awareness and sense of responsibility of each individual are important factors to join hands to protect network security, keep themselves and the community safe.

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