Online shopping is a great convenience—but identity thieves and other threats may be lurking in the online marketplace. If you understand the risks and take a few reasonable precautions, you can shop safely and avoid identity theft.

"Safe" sites

• How can you tell if an online shopping site is safe? Your Web browser provides a lot of information. One way to increase safety is to make sure that any page where you enter personal data (such as your password or credit card number) uses encryption. The Web address on such a page starts with "https." A padlock icon on your browser's frame also indicates that the site uses encryption.
• If you double click on the padlock icon, you'll see a certificate from a reputable third party documenting the site's actual owner. This doesn't necessarily prove that the site is legitimate, but it proves that it's not masquerading as something it isn't.
• "Safety seals" such as HackerSafe and eTrust indicate that a site's security has been audited and meets recognized standards. However, standards vary, and many audited sites can still be hacked.

Also, check the merchant's privacy policy, which should be available on the site, and be sure that your data won't be used in a way of which you don't approve.

Personal protection

Safe shopping begins with a secure PC. In addition to using a comprehensive security solution like Norton Internet Security™ or Norton™ Confidential, keep your operating system and all your applications updated with the latest security patches.

The following precautions will help you avoid problems:

• Use safe payment cards. Many credit and debit cards offer various forms of "zero liability" fraud coverage and protection against unsatisfactory transactions. Card terms can vary widely, so don't assume you have this protection just because you've heard about it.
• Check your credit card statements and bank statements for any unauthorized transactions. Check your credit report at least annually for indications of identity theft that wouldn't show up on existing account statements. In most cases, you won't be financially liable as long as you report fraudulent activity promptly.
• Don't use the same passwords. Make sure the passwords you use for online shopping sites are different from those you use to access your bank account, Internet Service Provider, or other accounts that could be exploited.
• Know who you're dealing with. A quick Internet search may turn up any complaints against the merchant. More than 30,000 merchants have agreed to meet the Better Business Bureau's standards (www.bbbonline.org/consumer/) for privacy and customer satisfaction.
• Don't spread your ID information around. Where possible, use a payment service, such as PayPal, rather than giving credit card numbers to unknown merchants. Think twice about storing your credit card information with merchants.

Conclusion

Online shopping is safer than ever, but consumers need to take reasonable precautions against online fraud and identity theft. By guarding your identity information, and protecting your PC with a comprehensive security solution such as Norton Internet Security or Norton Confidential, you can enjoy a safe, worry-free online shopping experience.

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