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Safe comparison shopping

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By Kristen Miranda - bio | email

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - A recent Pew study indicates that more than half of Americans like to do research online before they make purchases at a store or online.   

Have you ever wondered if you have the latest and greatest information or if you are safe on the sites you use to do research?  WBTV's Cyber Expert, Theresa Payton, explains how to do make sure you are doing safe and savvy surfing before shopping.

3 Tips for Savvy & Safe Surfing:

  1. When surfing at home, only go to sites you know to do research. If you have to venture beyond sites you know, use an internet filter that can warn you about sites that may not be safe – a free tool like McAfee's site advisor is easy to use
  2. There are many new phone apps to help you while you are at the store!  They are free and many can help you quickly get the best deal
  3. If you decide to purchase online, check the reputation of the seller by reading reviews on the auction site or doing a quick search on the Better Business Bureau to make sure there are no complaints filed

One iPhone app that is fun to use and free is RedLaser.  You can:

  1. scan in barcode
  2. see a list of prices for local retailers and online comparisons
  3. buying something for a loved one with food allergies?  You you can check food for ingredients and allergies

Go to:  http://redlaser.com/ for more information and to download the app.

Not sure if the item is in stock or where it is sitting in the store?  There's an app for that called aisle411.

  1. Search for an item
  2. See special offers
  3. Read reviews
  4. You can even "check in" at the store to get special rewards

Go to:  http://aisle411.com/ for more information and to download the app.

McAfee's Site Advisor is free and will help ensure you are surfing on sites that are deemed safe:  http://www.siteadvisor.com/

Word for the Week:  If your young adult kids or employees use this term, you may want to check into it.  The term is Creepypasta:  It is a mash up of terms using creepy film footage + copy and pasting links to friends.  

The Creepypasta term refers to a scary or morbid, short video posted online.  There is an avid group of people that like to watch Creepypasta when they get bored at work or school.