Keep Your PC Safe

Know the retailer. If you’ve never bought from this website before and especially if it’s not a well-known retailer, do a background check using google, yahoo or MSN etc. Just type in the name of the store to the search box and see what comes up. The chances are that any dodgy online stores will have a big list of comlpaints and warnings in the search results.

Look over their website for any seals of approval such as VeriSign or TRUSTe. Don’t forget to click on these links just to check they are legitimate, it has been know for unscrupulous websites to forge their approval to such organisations. A click on the link should show if it’s real or not.

Always read the small print. A merchant’s website should have a page explaining their terms and conditions and another page explaining their privacy policy. It may be tedious, but if it’s an unknown merchant you should always check through their policies. For example, there may be a statement in their privacy policy that entitles them to share your details with other unrelated merchants or businesses beware - this may lead to your email being swamped by spam.

Payments should be made on a secure page. Look at the address bar of the page where you enter your payment details. It should show “https” not “http” - the s means the web page is using a security system that encrypts the information you enter on their website so no one else can intercept and read it as it passes through the Internet. In addition, look for a little picture of a locked padlock at the bottom of your screen.

Keep the information to a minimum. The information required to complete the purchase will of course include credit card numbers, name, address and telephone number but nothing else. If the website asks for information such as bank account details, national insurance number, mother’s maiden name and so on - be very suspicious; it may be a phishing website. Please note that some very reputable merchants may ask for information regarding your interests which should be used for their own marketing purposes - don’t forget to check their privacy policy.

Use security software. No one venturing on to the Internet should do so without installing an anti-virus suite on their PC. In addition you should have anti-spyware and a firewall. Don’t forget to keep them up to date. See the home page of keepyourpcsafe.co.uk for a list of recommended security software.

Keep your browser up to date. A browser is the generic name for the program you use to surf the Internet. Popular browsers are Internet Explorer, Opera and Firefox. Whichever you use you should keep it updated in order to make use of the latest protection they can offer.

A recent trial by a popular consumer magazine in the UK (you know WHICH one) recommended Firefox as their browser of choice.
You can download Firefox using this link:

Keep your operating system up to date. If you use XP, Vista or Mac OSX you should make sure that it is up to date with the latest patches, updates or service packs. See “Keep Your PC Safe With The Latest Updates” for more information.

Print online invoices. Every transaction should lead to an email confirmation but, just in case, print the online confirmation. This can be helpful if you receive the wrong goods or if you don’t receive the goods at all.