Security Do's and Don'ts
(The 411)
Cookies may taste good in the tangible world but they can leave a bitter taste behind in the virtual world. A "cookie" may be useful in some situations but its overall benefits are outweighed by its ease of exploitation. Many Web sites are programmed to insert a small file onto the hard drive of your computer, so that the owner of the site can monitor where you go and what you do on the site. This allows the site-owner to be able to obtain your e-mail address from your visit. You can avoid this by: Configuring Netscape Navigator TM or Microsoft Internet Explorer® to warn you when a site is attempting to deposit a cookie. Then you'll receive the option of whether or not to accept it.
(To do this in Netscape Navigator TM, choose Edit, Preferences, then Advanced, and select a privacy option from the "cookies" menu). (To do this in Microsoft Internet Explorer® 4.0, go to the View menu and choose Internet Options, then Advanced, and select a privacy option from the cookies item on the pull-down menu). If this does not work in newer versions, go to the help feature on the menu bar and search using "cookies" as a key word. Whichever Web browser you use, you can buy a software program for your browser that will warn you of, and help you to refuse, attempts by Web sites to deposit cookies.
You should strive to maintain a certain level of anonymity when you are online. The less Web sites know about you before, during and after your visit, the better. Although I will not endorse any online sites, I will acknowledge that there are sites such as:
This Web entity will allow you to visit their site and use it to access other sites. There site uses a program to mask the request from your Web browser to access other sites, keeping your Web address, e-mail address and other information that could be collected using "cookies" secret. The basic service is free but the site will offer you additional services for a fee.
Many Web sites will want to e-mail you a confirmation after a transaction. This can assist you in keeping track of online transactions but as stated previously, e-mail is not secure (does not use encryption) therefore your information could be compromised. Most sites will warn you that they intend to send an e-mail confirmation of the transaction. Some even allow you to choose whether or not you wish to receive such e-mail. Nevertheless you should decide whether or not you desire to receive such a confirmation an either select or un-select this option. If you are not presented with the option to choose and you don't want to receive a confirmation you will need to find the goods and services you desire at another site that does not require the confirmation of the transaction to be sent.
Any Web site that requires you to JOIN their site in order to make a purchase (affiliation or membership) is basically saying that they want your personal information of record in order to solicit you or sell your information. The only other uses would also benefit the seller such as using the information to make your purchasing faster, which helps to speed up the process on their servers. The bottom line however, is that regardless of how much time it might save for you or them the decision of whether or not they keep such information should be yours. Many sellers allow the consumer to choose whether or not certain information is kept in their user profile (database). This means that you may be able to let the seller know that you do not wish them to store your credit card information on their server. Many consumers would rather enter that information for each transaction that they make with that particular site.
The consumer should consider how frequently they plan to visit and patronize a particular seller's site before they decide to allow a seller to maintain that information. Be sure to check and see if the user is going to keep such information and if so how they plan to use it, and furthermore whether or not you have the option to choose that they do not keep such information. Although the issue of online security is often dominated by controversy surrounding credit card usage online, it is still far safer to use a credit card than it is to use a check, or debit card. If you have an unauthorized charge on your credit card, under federal law your liability is limited to $50. Furthermore some credit card issuers and Web site operators say that under certain circumstances they will even pay this amount for you.
Paying by credit card can also assist you in a dispute. You may be able to dispute the seller's charges if the goods don't arrive or if you aren't satisfied with them and return them. However, under the federal Fair Credit Billing Act, you can only effectively dispute charges billed to your credit card within certain ramifications. Check with the Better Business Bureau or local Department of Consumer Affairs for further information. There are other advantages to using a credit card; you may save money by using a credit card if you pay it off in full when the bill arrives. In addition, payments made by credit cards allow you to keep the payment amount in your bank account, which earns interest until your credit card bill for those payments comes due. Many credit card issuers provide extended warranties or other advantages for purchases made with the card.
You should always check your credit card statements to make sure all purchases and purchase amounts are correct. If there are discrepancies, immediately bring them to the attention of the credit card issuer by telephone and by writing. Sellers may offer other types of payment options (debit cards, money orders, cashier's checks, certified checks, teller's checks, and cash on delivery "C.O.D.") you'll find the level of protection isn't as high as with credit cards. Although there are pros and cons to these other payment options, using a credit card is still your best method for safety.
The best security measure you can implement online is to know the seller. Many establishments have been in existence much longer than the Internet has been available. Many if not most of these sellers have Web sites. Dealing with companies online that you are familiar with due to dealing with them offline may add several layers of security simply by having a physical entity to hold responsible for any problems you experience online or a contact for further information. However don't mistake the online entity for being the same operation as the offline entity.
Many sellers keep these entities separate for various reasons. Therefore you may not necessarily be able to purchase something online and return it to a local outlet or question a local outlet about goods and services available online. Be wary of making purchases from sellers who have solicited you through unsolicited e-mail (Spam). If you have any questions concerning the existence legitimacy, or reputation of a company, you can get help from the following sources: