Shopping on the Internet is Safe if Precautions are followed
Shopping on the Internet is Safe if Precautions are followed

You still have several holiday gifts to buy, but the thought of fighting the crowds on the high street leaves you feeling like miserable and tired. You may be tempted to try shopping online, although you're concerned about the security and privacy issues you've heard and read about.
Don't despair. The following advice about online shopping and about protecting your privacy on the Internet should help prepare you for the digital world.
Do Your Homework
The precautions you should take when making purchases online are not at all that different from what you might do when shopping on the high street.
As a general rule, you're safer dealing with well-established and trusted brand name businesses. Although there are no guarantees, a Website with its own domain is more likely to be credible than one using free space provided by Internet access companies. EasyPizza Ltd only accepts adverts from trusted and well known companies.
Just as you might have second thoughts about posting a cheque to an unknown company at a post office box number all online merchants must accept online payments which usually will mean you are covered by online shopping guarantees. that is if the goods do not arrive your payment is refunded. However, in the event of goods not being satisfactory it's a good idea to find out the merchant's return policy.
If after taking these precautions you're still concerned about online shopping, you might want to call the Trading Standards in the town or city where the merchant is located to see if it has received any report of Internet fraud or unscrupulous business practices by the merchant.
Protect Your Credit Information
When it comes to buying on the Internet, many consumers are concerned about sending credit card information over the Internet. The best way to protect yourself is by limiting your business to merchants with secure sites. Secure sites use SSL (Secure Sockets Layer), a type of encryption technology that protects your credit card information by scrambling it before transmission. To find out whether your credit card information is secure with a merchant, take a look at the pages' URL. A secure URL page begins with the code "https" rather than "http".
If you're using a recent version of a browser, you can also look for a padlock symbol or similar icon at the bottom of your browser screen. Many sites also post their own privacy policy or security statement that explains how the merchant protects the data you provide.
Also, you should feel safe dealing with merchants displaying the Veritas or WebTrust seal this assures online customers that the businesses carrying this seal adhere to standard business practices and controls and have the ability to maintain privacy and security for Internet transactions.
Bear in mind that, in some cases, you won't see the secure portion of a merchant's Website until you are ready to order. Just be sure to look for it before entering any credit card data.
Another important precaution worth taking is to check your credit card statement each month as soon as it comes it. Under the Consumer Credit Act, your financial liability is limited if you report fraudulent use to your credit card company promptly. It's also a good idea to check your credit report once a year to make sure that fraudulent accounts haven't been opened in your name.
In any case, if you suspect you've been subjected to fraud by an online merchant, you might want to contact Internet Fraud Watch on the internet at www.fraud.org.
Guard Your Privacy
Beyond shopping on the Internet, there are other issues you need to be concerned with to protect yourself when using online technology.
Perhaps the most important is the need to guard personal information such as your name, address, and phone number, as well as National Insurance number, date of birth, and mother's maiden name. Think twice about providing sensitive information online. The greater the amount of personal information about you available, the greater your exposure to security risks.
Treat e-mail carefully. Many people send personal and confidential information over the Internet, without realizing that doing so is akin to sending a postcard. Also, don't download programs from Websites with which you're not familiar. You could download a virus that damages your computer files.
Finally, use a creative password and change it frequently. Don't choose something as obvious as your birthday or your favourite team.
For maximum security, try mixing numbers, upper and lower case letters and even symbols in your password. Remember to never leave your written password near the computer.
We believe that the Internet can provide distinct shopping advantages and a wealth of information. Just be sure you take every precaution along the way.