Secure Your Computer and Shop Online Safely

There is no way to guarantee that you will not become a victim of identity theft but there are ways to minimize your risk.

Computer Security:  Install and enable firewall protection, anti-spyware and anti-virus software.  For protection from the latest threats, set your operating system and security software to automatically install updates, scan your computer and remove malicious files.  Update your browser and enable pop-up blocking.  Use strong passwords which are a minimum of six characters including at least one number and one symbol.  Use both lower case and capital letters.

Research the Seller:  Verify a company's reputation by contacting the Better Business Bureau or the Attorney General's Office in your state or the state where the seller is located.  Check the company's contact information and confirm there is a physical address and working telephone number listed in case you need to reach them.  Read the site's privacy policy to learn how it uses and shares your personal information.  Many companies allow customers to request that their information not be shared with other companies.

Examine a Site's Security Features:  Reputable websites will always direct you to a secure page prior to requesting your personal or payment information.  The page's URL address should change from http to https or shttp indicating your confidential information is secure and will be encrypted.  A padlock icon also may appear on your browser's status bar or a solid key icon may appear in the tray at the bottom of the screen.  Never enter personal or financial information in a pop-up window or click links in the pop-up.  Close all pop-up windows by clicking on the "X" icon in the title bar instead of a "close" link within the window.  Select "No" if an unexpected dialog box requests to run a particular program or perform a suspicious task.  Dialog boxes also can be closed by clicking the "X" icon.

Payment Methods:  Credit cards are generally the safest form of payment because you won't be liable for more than $50.00 of fraudulent charges if your card number is stolen and the fraud is reported in a timely manner.  Some companies also offer an online shopping guarantee that ensures you will not be held responsible for any unauthorized charges made online.  You can also minimize damage by using one specific card with a low credit line for all of your online purchases.  Internet-based payment services like PayPal and Google Checkout are also growing in popularity.  In November, PayPal released a free tool that allows online shoppers to use its service nearly everywhere online, even if the merchant doesn't accept PayPal.  PayPal  users also can use a temporary MasterCard number to conceal their actual payment information from merchants.  Read your credit card statements carefully to confirm all transactions are correct.  Request free copies of your credit reports from the major credit reporting companies on a yearly basis from the AnnualCreditReport.com website.

Don't Be Fooled By Fake Emails:  Legitimate companies do not send emails asking for your personal or financial information.  Activate your email spam filter and delete suspicious messages.  Opening an attachment or clicking a link in an email can install spyware on your computer allowing criminals to record your keystrokes and obtain credit card numbers, bank account passwords and access your hard drive data.  Malicious software can also allow hackers to remotely control your computer to commit additional cyber crimes.  For added safety, turn off your computer or put it in standby mode when it is not in use.