by Todd Greensafe

Created on: January 27, 2007   Last Updated: May 19, 2007

Who knows? Internet shopping can be quite safe if you do a little research. I know thats a scary word, so let me see if I can help. First I have a heard from quite a few people that look for a "Seal" on the website, but to be honest, that means absolutely nothing, I mean it is nice to look at, but technically speaking, it is simply an image, if you click on it goes to Verisign, or where ever, but I could put that on my MySpace page, doesn't mean it is secure.

The quickest way to tell if you are on a secure site, is to look in the address bar, you should see https:// the (s) meaning, that you are on secure site, also sometimes in either Internet Explorer, and Firefox, you will get a pop-up window that will tell you if you are entering or leaving an encrypted site, being on an encrypted site is a good thing when entering credit card information, you wont get that pop-up all the time, in fact most users turn that pop-up notification off the first time that it comes up. (*On a side note, if it is possible, switch to a more secure browser such as Firefox, or Opera. Internet Explorer has had some well known security flaws)

Another way to be safe, is to use a special email address, I set one aside specifically for online shopping, so if I have to sign up for something, ir enter my email address to make a purchase, I simply use the one I designated for shopping. I never give out my personal address when shopping or signing up for things online.

Also, passwords, be sure to ever use the same password over and over. If you use the same password for everything, then once it has been compromised you leave yourself wide open, from you email to your bank accounts and everything in between.

I have so many different passwords, I simply open up Notepad, type my different passwords, and save them to a USB Thumb drive, and put that thumb drive in a nice safe place. That way your passwords are not stored on your computer.

Make sure you have a good Firewall, and Anti-virus. I know you are probably questioning why those two things are important, but lets say you accidentally go to a site while shopping that isn't safe, and in the background of that website there is malicious code (Trojans, Adware) trying to access any files on your computer, and worst logging all you keystrokes. A good firewall and anti-virus program work to prevent all that.

Never ever send a money-order or cash, and never do a bank to bank wire transfer!
Keep all transactions plastic (Creditcard, or Debit) If a site doesn't accept plastic, then they aren't online business and you simply leave no matter how good of a deal you think you are getting.

And finally, it is good practice to go to well known sites, but sometimes the little sites, have some of the best prices. Think of them like small shops in your hometown, just because you haven't heard of them doesn't mean they cant be trusted.

OK Research done here is the checklist!

-Don't rely on "Seals" look for the s in http(S)

-If it's possible, switch to a more secure browser (Firefox or Opera)

-Use a designated email address simply for shopping and or signing up for specials
(yahoo, hotmail, gmail) they are all free

-Do not get in the habit of using the same password over and over, if you have
trouble remembering passwords, make a list of them on Notepad or Word, then save
it on a USB thumbdrive and store that in a very safe place.

-Have a reputable Firewall, and Anti-virus installed

-Keep it Plastic! No Money-orders, Cash, or bank to bank wires

-Reputable, well known sites are the safest, but even the little sites can be
secure

-HAVE FUN! Shopping, and price comparing online is a great way to find deals

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