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Internet Security
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You may have considered purchasing something over the
Internet and may not have felt comfortable with sharing your credit card
number online. If you feel uncertain about this technology and have maybe
questioned it’s safety, read on to learn all about how it
works ...
The Internet is a network which is made up of millions of computers
worldwide, all of which exchange information with each other. This
information goes back and forth between a variety of connections and as
with any public line, eavesdropping is a possibility! Lucky for you, these
days your browser software contains a feature, which provides you with
security and privacy when transacting over the Internet. In fact, the
reality today is, using your credit card over the Internet is probably
safer than using it over the telephone or regular mail order system.
Really!
Not convinced? Let me explain; if you eat out and hand over your credit
card to pay, you do so to a complete stranger. Do you know the cashier
well enough to trust they won’t jot down your card number and call around
billing items to your account? What about when you purchase something by
mail order? How do you know the order form with all your credit card
details written on it is going to make it safely through the mail system?
What about when you give someone your credit card number over the
telephone? Who’s listening to your call and whom are you giving the
information too?
Using your credit card over the Internet is no more dangerous than
these traditional methods, if anything, it is probably safer because many
sites work with your browser software to encode your transaction so if
outside parties do happen to intercept it, they cannot read it. This is
done by using SSL (Secure Socket Layer) Handshake Protocol which was
developed by Netscape Communications to provide security and privacy over
the Internet. In short, this fantastic technology will scramble your
details so that it minimises it being read or understood by anyone else.
If you are about to enter into a transaction that requires your credit
card details, you can check to ensure that SSL is enabled on the page that
is asking for your credit card number by your browser displaying a closed
gold lock or closed gold key. Another way to check is, the location bar at
the top of your browser which displays the web site address you are at
should begin with https rather than http.
It’s at this point where you need to understand that whilst SSL will
protect the actual transaction process, you need to protect yourself by
dealing only with Internet companies you trust with your credit card
details. SSL will deliver safely, but from that point on, the company you
are actually purchasing from needs to be safe and trustworthy too!
Trusting your judgement or that of your colleagues and doing your homework
will assist toward your online purchase being a happy and positive
experience.
