Just as shoppers should take measures to protect themselves in brick-and-mortar stores-such as protecting their PIN numbers when checking out and not leaving purses unattended-online shoppers also need to take sensible precautions. This guide offers advice on how to make your online shopping experiences enjoyable and safe.
Internet security is a broad term that refers to the various steps individuals and companies take to protect computers or computer networks that are connected to the Internet. One of the basic truths behind Internet security is that the Internet itself is not a secure environment. The Internet was originally conceived as an open, loosely linked computer network that would facilitate the free exchange of ideas and information. Data sent over the Internet-from personal e-mail messages to online shopping orders-travel through an ever-changing series of computers and network links. As a result, unscrupulous hackers and scam artists have ample opportunities to intercept and change the information. It would be virtually impossible to secure every computer connected to the Internet around the world, so there will likely always be weak links in the chain of data exchange.
It's easy to tell when the web site you are viewing is using an encrypted connection. If the connection is encrypted, the lock icon in the lower-right corner of the Browser/Navigator window is locked. If the connection is not encrypted, the lock icon is unlocked. You can also look at the browser URL Address line and check that the URL starts with https: (as opposed to the normal http: (note the "s" at the end indicating "Secure").
Trusted by organizations throughout the world, SecureTrust 256-bit SSL certificates provide the highest level of security and quality available in industry. Please roll your mouse over the Secure Site Seal below to see the Site Security Certificate. Secure Sockets Layer, or SSL (pronounced as separate letters), is a protocol which is used to communicate over the Internet in a secure fashion.
The SecureTrust certificate image shot below is the sample screen you will see with the validity certificate from one of the Internet Security Leaders. Organizations who seek the highest level of security for all of their online communication and transactional needs rely on SecureTrust SSL Certificates. As the first Certificate Authority to offer 256-Bit SSL Certificates, SecureTrust continues to be an industry leader in the market
Your personal data is fully encrypted to protect you from unwanted use of the personal information. We do NOT store your credit card information. You will need to provide your payment details each time you will process the order although you can retrieve your personal details such as name and shipping addresses as well as billing address when you return to the store.
How can you tell if a web site is secure? It uses encryption technology to transfer information from your computer to the online merchant's computer. Encryption scrambles the information you send, such as your credit card number, in order to prevent computer hackers from obtaining it en route. The only people who can unscramble the code are those with legitimate access privileges. You can tell when you are dealing with a secure web site in several ways.
Of course, transmitting your data over secure channels is of little value to you if the merchant stores the data unscrambled. You should try to find out if the merchant stores the data in encrypted form. If a hacker is able to intrude, it cannot obtain your credit data and other personal information. Be sure to read the merchant's privacy and security policies to learn how it safeguards your personal data on its computers.
Providing your Social Security number is not a requirement for placing an order at an e-commerce web site. There is no need for the merchant to ask for it. Giving out your Social Security number could lead to having your identity stolen. (See PRC Fact Sheet 17, "Coping with Identity Theft,"
Given all of these uncertainties, you will want to think about the sensitivity of the data that is being compiled about you when you shop online. We cannot prescribe the best approach to take. Each consumer has a different interpretation of what is considered "sensitive."
Customer's trust is our most important asset. At Amanda Bass, we respect your privacy and are committed to protecting it. Our policy is to ensure that your information is secure and you feel secure as well about shopping at Amanda Bass. When you submit personal information, it is protected both online and off-line. Whether you purchase a product, send a gift, or request our newsletters, you do so under up-to-date encryption/security policies and technological safeguards. All personal information is collected pursuant to these standards and is secured in databases for the sole and exclusive use of Amanda Bass. Only those who need the information to perform a specific job (such as our billing clerks or customer service representatives) are granted access to personal information.
Don't click on any link embedded within a potentially suspicious email. Instead, start a new Internet session from the beginning by typing in the link's URL into the address bar and pressing "Enter" to be sure you're directed to a legitimate web site. Identity thieves send massive numbers of emails to Internet users that ask them to update the account information for their banks, credit cards, online payment service, or popular shopping sites. The email may state that your account information has expired, been compromised or lost and that you need to immediately resend it to the company.
Consumers using some brands of credit cards can get "virtual credit cards," or single-use card numbers, that can be used at an online store. The randomly generated substitute 16-digit number can also be used to buy goods and services over the phone and through the mail but can't be used for in-store purchases that require a traditional plastic card. With this free service, you never need to give out your real credit card number online. Among the card companies offering it are Citibank and the Discover card.