Shop and Buy Online Safely

There is a common misconception that buying online carries additional risks above and beyond the high street simply because of the methods and technologies involved. This isn't really the case. Most fraudulent credit card transactions take place either with a stolen card or with the details taken from a card. What this means is that someone working in a shop, petrol station, restaurant or other retail environment may have an opportunity to copy the details from your card - or simply retrieve them from a receipt later. The mail order and internet ordering process - where the details of the card are given but the actual card doesn't have to make an appearance - have given criminals the opportunity to use copied card details without having to create actual duplicate cards.

Card companies and retailers have responded by introducing the three-digit code found on the back of cards. This doesn't turn up on receipts and changes with each card issue; it is not a particularly strong security device. The most effective means of countering online fraud has simply been to stop retailers dispatching goods to an address that is not registered to the card holder.

Chip and pin schemes may be introduced to online retailing in the future, thus matching a person to their card but until then all that is required is a little vigilance. Follow your card to the till in restaurants and don't leave cards about where they may be copied or stolen. Additionally, always query any unusual transactions on your bill - spotting these early will give credit card companies' fraud departments the best chance of tracking down criminals.

Is is safe to send my credit card details across the internet?

When you see a padlock in the bottom of your browser window, this means that everything you enter will be encrypted. This means that your details cannot be accessed as they pass from your computer to the online shopping site. This method is known as Secure Socket Layer (SSL). Although your details are safe in transit, you must also be sure that the company you are dealing with is one which you are happy to buy from. Treat it like a high street shop, if a site looks a little odd or anything else concerns you, buy from somewhere else. Here at ShopandBuyOnline.co.uk we guide you to established retailers - names that you recognise. Do not enter your credit/debit card details on a page where you cannot see a padlock in the bottom edge of your browser window.

Never send credit card details by email. Email is not encrypted and also leaves a trail on servers across the internet.

Worms, Viruses and Keystroke Loggers

One way of circumventing almost all forms of internet security is by recording what is typed into a computer. This is an established method for some types of hackers to be able to review your keyboard input and scan for credit card details, bank login details and other information that connot be intercepted.

In order to do this, they must place a programme on your hard disk that runs without you knowing and periodically sends back data to the hacker. These types of programmes can be installed by viruses or worms - or as hidden downloads from adult, illegal or fake content. To avoid this happening to you, always make sure that you keep your system software up to date - check for patches and upgrades regularly. Never open an email attachment you are unsure about; disable any action in your email client that automatically opens attachments and notify any friend or colleague if you receive a suspicious email from them.

Firewall and anti-virus software is extremely useful. Good value Norton products are available that, if kept up-to-date, will give you very strong protection against viruses, worms and hidden programmes. (See our software section for more details.)