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Security and privacy
Security is far less of a problem than it appears if you ensure you only shop at websites that offer secure payment procedures (most do). Here we look at these procedures in more detail.
These procedures ensure that before you send any credit or debit card details, you're moved to a secure part of the site where all the information sent over the Web is scrambled and protected.
You can check this has happened by ensuring there's a padlock sign in the bottom bar on your screen, and the site address has changed from one starting with 'http' to one starting with 'https'.
In fact, there are very few reports of card theft from well-known sites on the internet. If you want to pay by debit card, check with your bank first: some will offer protection but most will not. Always print out details of your order and payment and keep them safe.
Once consumers become used to shopping online, their concern often shifts from security to privacy. All online shops gather information about you every time you shop by making what's called a cookie.
This is stored on your computer in a special file. They're the means by which a shop welcomes you by name next time you visit. You can erase them from your computer if you really object.
Much more worrying are some sites' tendencies to swap or sell your details to other shops. It's a good idea to find out what a shop policy is before you buy.
If you shop regularly online, it will in practice be impossible to stop your details and email address getting out and you will end up with uninvited emails. For further information, become BBC WebWise!
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