Internet Tips & Tricks
By MARK DAVIS
General Manager, CommSpeed Internet Service
Vice
President, Prescott Computer Society
Visit the Computer Society Website
www.prescottcomputersociety.org
Using Your Credit Card Online
Like
traditional shopping, using credit cards online requires
that the shopper be aware of the risks. Improvements in
technology as well as better safeguards on the part of
credit card companies, banks and online merchants have
greatly reduced the risks. Online shopping is now
easier and safer for everyone.
The best
advice when using credit cards to make online purchases
is to only place orders through merchants who have
partnered with web browser companies to ensure secure
ordering systems.
Both
Microsoft Internet Explorer's and Netscape web browsers
use Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology to encrypt
transaction data before it is sent over the Internet.
In other words, when placing an order online using a
credit card, the information will likely pass through
several computers before arriving at the merchant's
server. The SSL technology "scrambles" these
transmissions making it virtually impossible for an
order to be "hijacked" and decoded.
Look for an unbroken key or lock at the bottom of your
browser window when filling out your order online. This
indicates that the merchant utilizes software which
allows the transaction to be encrypted using SSL
technology.
Another
way to make sure the merchant has a secure server is to
check the URL in your browser's address or location
window. The web address will begin with "https://"
rather than just "http://" if your transaction is
secure. The "s" stands for secure.
Today,
credit card companies have stringent guidelines in
ensure that participating merchants use firewall
protected, secure servers and limit the number of people
that can access the credit card information.
After all,
static information is easier to obtain than information
that is in transit. Thus, in actuality, it is far easier
for a waiter at a local restaurant or a clerk at a
nearby convenience store to copy the details of your
credit card and use it dishonestly than it is for credit
card information to be stolen online.
Quote for the day:
The safest way to double your money is to fold it over
and put it in your pocket.
Kin Hubbard (1868 - 1930)
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