With the holiday season fast approaching, Christmas shopping is heating up at the local stores and malls, and is already going full blast on-line. Every year the amount of on-line sales sets new records as more and more outlets develop a web presence and the ability to shop on line. Traditional stores such as Sears and Barnes and Noble have opened cyber-stores to compete with web-based competitors such as Amazon. Catalog stores such as L.L. Bean and Land’s End have also migrated successfully to the internet.

From the very beginning the issue of security has been a problem. From loss of data integrity due to hacking or internal security breaches, to fake or stolen credit card information, “real world” problems have translated to the “cyber world.” As a means of securing on line credit card information, most companies employ the use of “secure sites” on their website. These secure sites normally require the use of security certificates from a vendor such as Verisign.

A good description of the particular use of on-line security of credit card purchases can be found on the Lands End site at www.landsend.com. At the top right corner of the page is a button for business outfitters site. Click on that link, then go to the very bottom of the page and click on “privacy and security policy.” Toward the bottom of the page is the sub-title “How do I know if a Web site is secure?” The rest of the page is an excellent explanation and I commend Lands End for their description. Go read it.

The key to remember is that any time you are about to send credit card information from a web site, look for the indicators that you are on a secure site, such as the URL prefix of HTTPS instead of HTTP. While the absence of “HTTPS” does not necessarily mean the site is not secure, the presence of HTTPS should be on a secure site you can be comfortable using. Also look for a lock symbol that show a closed lock, or a key symbol that is a “whole” key as opposed to a “broken key.” These are indicators that the site is using a secure system to protect your credit card information.

You need to have some idea who you are sending your financial information. Just because there is a web site that “looks big” or that has all the trappings of a “secure server” does not mean that you are dealing with a reputable company. You cannot tell what the company really is by looking at the website. Strong, well-known companies such as those noted earlier are as trustworthy as you will find. Just as you would in the “brick and mortar world,” consumer caution should be exercised in the “cyber world.” Know your vendor and protect your personal information. It could save you a mountain of grief!

So, internet shoppers, get “out there” and shop ‘til you drop! Just be sure you have the “key” in your “basket!”.