03 Dec Top 5 Internet Safety Tips

It is a great time saver to shop online for Christmas gifts, and there are many great deals online that you won’t find in a local store. There is also a greater selection of items; everything can be found on the Internet. There are, however, a few things to keep in mind when you are shopping online.

Limit the information you provide
You only need to provide a shipping address and your credit card number. You do not need to provide private information such as a social security number or driver’s license number even a phone number should be optional. An email should be sufficient for any communication that is needed.

Make sure the site is secure when making a payment
In your browser’s address box, the site should begin with https instead of http. The addition of the letter S means that the site is operating in a secure mode, which you should check before you enter any credit card information.

Use a good malware program
There are good programs that will alert you to sites that are not legitimate. The program will filter out these sites and protect you from having a malware program loading into your computer.

Use a credit card and not a debit card
Credit cards have more consumer protection than debit cards. The amount of money you are responsible for, in the case unapproved charges are made, is much lower with a credit card than with most debit cards. You can also reverse a charge on a credit card more easily.

Stick to buying from reputable online sites
This is not to say a smaller site cannot be trusted, but the larger retail shopping sites have well known reputations for their level of service.

By taking these safety precautions, you can increase your chances of having a safe shopping experience on the Internet. You will be avoiding the hassle of shopping with the crowds and find all of the perfect gifts for your loved ones.
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