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Help - Shopping Online |
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Shopping Online
Buying goods over the Internet should be a pleasurable experience, offering many advantages over more traditional methods of shopping. Buying online is a quick and easy way to shop, with many companies offering free delivery or discounted prices for shopping via their website.
Shopping online should also be safe, and the majority of companies with a buy online facility offer a good and secure standard of service.
Just as with more established methods of shopping, on the high street or using mail order, there are issues to be aware of to ensure you enjoy shopping online and don't encounter any problems.
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Just as you would when shopping in a store, make sure you get the best deal. Make comparisons with other websites and make sure that you take note of any delivery charges added on to the price of the product you are buying.
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Take a note of the full website address, company name and alternative contact details (telephone number and address).
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 When you enter your payment details a padlock icon should appear at the bottom of your computer screen. This encryption facility shows the website you are using has a secure payment method. The padlock indicates that the data you have provided, for example credit card or bank details will be encrypted (made unintelligible) when you send it. When it reaches its destination the data will be decrypted (changed back to its original form). This means that anyone intercepting the data between its starting point and destination should not be able to make sense of it.
You can examine the security and encryption credentials of a website by clicking on the padlock icon to view the encryption certificate. You should also check that any web pages where you are required to supply personal details start with https://
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 Check that your web browser (the software that you use to browse the internet, most commonly Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator) is set to its maximum level of security. You can do this in Internet Explorer by clicking on the Help button and selecting About Internet Explorer. In the box that appears you will see a specification list that includes Cipher Strength. This should be set to 128 bit, which is the highest security setting. If your browser is not set to 128 bit click on the Update Information link to download an encryption pack, or upgrade your browser.
To check security settings in Netscape Navigator, click on the padlock icon in the bottom right hand corner of your screen. Make sure you click on the padlock icon when you are on the page where you have to enter your personal details. A Page Info box will appear giving you details of the websites security and encryption settings. If the page is encrypted at 128 bit the Page Info box will display something like: Connection Encrypted: High Grade Encryption (RC4 128 bit). If your browser does not support 128 bit encryption, upgrade your browser by following the instructions on the Netscape Navigator website. |
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Check the websites privacy policy. This should provide you with information on what the website will do with the details you have supplied. Also read the websites terms and conditions.
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Make a note of any reference number you are given and keep it in a safe place just as you would a receipt. |
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Print out and keep or save the details of your transaction, for example, the completed order form, notification of receipt of your order and any e-mail correspondence.
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Making payments by credit card may offer you extra protection if something goes wrong, the same does not apply to debit or charge cards.
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To protect yourself against fraudulent use of your credit or debit card over the Internet remember to check card statements thoroughly and query any payments you don't recognise with your bank or card supplier. Action can then be taken to cancel payments and refund your account.
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