The biggest online shopping season is quickly approaching and it begins with Cyber Monday (the Monday following Thanksgiving) when online stores typically record their largest sales volume for the year. Unfortunately that means that cyber-criminals will also be out in force hoping to find a few unsuspecting victims. I recently received an email from my anti-virus company with some tips for staying safe when you shop online this holiday season. 

• Think Before You Click: Search Engines are a great way to comparison shop and check prices. But treat every result with caution -- especially the ones promising a link to an unbelievable deal.
• Verify the URL: When you click a link to a particular site, verify that the website it takes you to really is the one you intended. For instance the site might LOOK like amazon.com but does the URL have "Amazon.com" as the main domain? Here's a clue: if the URL looks something like this: "...www.someothersitename.com/123/joesstuff/amazon.com..."  then it isn't really Amazon.com.  You probably don't want to give them your credit card information.
• Remember the old adage: If it seems too good to be true - it probably is.
• Shop stores you trust: When it actually comes time to make a purchase, your best bet is to go to the store of your choice, find the item within the store website (www.storename.com) and purchase it there.
• Install Security Software: Your computer should have antispyware and antivirus software installed. Make sure they are up-to-date. If you want to go a step farther, you can install a firewall.   
• Use a Credit Card, Not a Debit Card: If you are a victim of fraud or cybercrime, most credit card agreements limit your liability for the charges.
• Monitor Your Credit: Especially around the holidays it is important to monitor your credit status on a regular basis to quickly spot anything unusual.
• Ask About a "Single Use" Credit Card: Many credit card companies are now able to issue single-use credit card numbers for online purchases -- so you can avoid using your real credit card number online.

     There is no reason to avoid shopping on line. AND if you 'Think Before You Click' you can enjoy the convenience and ease of Cyber-shopping while keeping your money and private information safe and secure.

    See you at the Cyber mall...