Mary Harboe
03.12.07
Shopping on Line
Shopping on line can be fun!! We literally have every store at our fingertips!! We can get the best prices by comparative shopping and we can take the advantage of currency fluctuations. Think how inexpensive it is to buy from the States now!! And you can shop any time, day or night and in your PJ’s, and thus avoid those Holiday crowds.
Yes we are all a bit concerned about giving out important information on the internet, and rightly so. There are people out there trying to obtain this info and to use it illegally. We must remember though that these people exist in all avenues of life, not just on the internet. We don’t forget to lock the front door, the car door, or watch our handbag when we are shopping. The same type of awareness and vigilance must be used on the internet as well. It is unfortunate but true.
They say that you are safer shopping on the internet then when you are out shopping in your local supermarket. Considering how many people we know whose handbags have been taken from them it doesn’t seem impossible. As we know we have to be street smart we also must be cyber smart.
On the internet we have for our protection encryption. Encryption is the translation of data onto a secret code. This is the most effective way to achieve data security. Our details are encrypted at 128 bits, the highest level of encryption. This should give you a good sense of security.
Below are a few tips to ensure your safety while shopping on the net.
Know your Seller. Only buy from reputable sources, with good track ratings. You can usually read from other buyers how the transaction was handled.
Find and read the privacy policy. Read the privacy policy carefully to find out what information the seller is gathering from you, how the information will be used, and how you can stop the process. If a site does not have a privacy policy posted, you may not want to do business with it. If it does have a privacy policy, there will probably be a link to it from the seller's home page, or it could be included with the Legal Terms.
Make sure you Internet Connection is Secure before giving out Credit Card details. Look for the closed yellow lock or unbroken key in your browser window. Also in the web address it should have https. This will only occur when you are on the page asking for your details.
Use your credit card to pay for the transaction. It is the safest way to pay and you have more protection. If you have unauthorized charges on your credit card the card issuer will normally pay the amount above 50 euros. Also you have recourse if there is a problem with the goods or delivery.
Print out the terms, conditions, warranties, company information and confirming emails and save them. and review the return, refund, shipping and handling polices.
Check for unauthorized use of your credit card account number.
Carefully and promptly check your credit card statements when they arrive. If you identify any irregularities, you should immediately bring these to the attention of the issuer of the credit card by telephone and in writing.
Passwords. Use a strong password. Choose a string of at least five letters, numbers, and punctuation marks. One easy way to create a memorable password is to take the first letter of each word in an expression or song lyric, and add some numbers and punctuation marks. For example, "tmottobg!5" is derived from a line in "Take Me Out To The Old Ball Game."
Keep your password or other identifying information secure.
Be very careful about responding to an e-mail, phone call, fax, or letter from anyone who asks for your password(s), social security number, birth date, bank account, credit card number, mother's maiden name, or other personal information. Sellers and financial institutions do not ask you for such information unless you are entering into a transaction with them.
You should only have to provide your password to get to your online account, and you should not give your credit card number except when you are actually placing an order. And you should only give your password and credit card number in a secure connection on a web site, not in ordinary e-mail.
Have two email address, one for public use and one for private use. Only use the public one when registering for online shopping.
Be careful when using Internet Hotspots as they have insecure ADSL lines.
When using an Internet Café make sure you log out and clear out the history of the Internet Explorer.
Below two sites with detailed info for safe online shopping.
http://www.safeshopping.org/home.shtml American Bar Association
http://www.shopsafe.co.uk/shopping.asp UK