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Internet Security
How To Be Sure Your Online Order is Safe

Internet Security
How To Be Sure Your Online Order Is Safe

Ensuring Your Purchase is Secure Online

How does an online shopper know that their online purchase is safe? There are a few simple steps that you can take to be sure your online order is secure.

Look For The Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)
Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) is a protocol that has been designed to provide secure communications on the Internet. SSL operates by layering a security protocol on top of an underlying reliable connection-oriented transport protocol. The combined protocol establishes a connection with a remote host and then performs an electronic handshake between the two to establish a secure session. After the "security handshake" is complete, the protocol then encrypts and authenticates data sent from the local host and decrypts and verifies data received from the remote host.

Security indication: https// in SSL Secured 128 bit You may be assured that your private information is completely secure by checking the web location address area of your browser. As you complete your order and are asked to provide payment and shipping information, you will notice that no matter what browser you are using, your location bar will read "https://", indicating that you've just entered a secure area.

Look For The Secure SSL Padlock
Another way to be sure that your private information is completely secure is by checking for the secure SSL padlock at the bottom of your screen.

Internet Explorer example of secure SSL padlock at the bottom of computer screen

In Microsoft Internet Explorer and Moxilla Firefox
A locked padlock in the status bar on the right.
In Netscape Navigator (versions 4.0 and higher):
A locked padlock in the status bar on the far left.

If you are still uncomfortable placing your order online, call the company and place your order on the telephone.

Additional External Internet Security Articles

Shop Online Safely By the Federal Trade Commission
Online Shopping -- Better Safe Than Sorry By Symantec.
How Secure Is Your Transaction? Secure Internet Connections. How do you tell if the Internet connections are secure? By the American Bar Association.