You better watch out when shopping online

Consumer Reports' Guide to Online Safety offers a lot of useful information on how to protect your computer and your private data while surfing the Net. And if your holiday shopping plans include visits to at least a few cyber-stores, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Pick up a "virtual credit card." This is a temporary credit-card number you can get from your card issuer. You're not using your real number, so cyber-thieves can't steal your card information. Also, you're more protected shopping with a credit rather than a debit card. With a debit card, thieves can quickly relieve you of your funds, while your liability when using a credit-card is usually limited to $50.


• Set up safe passwords. A well-crafted password uses a combination of at least eight characters. Be sure to include upper- and lower-case letters, some numbers, and some punctuation; don't use personal information like your address or birthday. One way to form a password you're unlikely to forget: String together the first letters of a song title and add some combination of a number, punctuation, and an upper-case letter.

• Shop at well-known retail sites. Don't venture onto sites you've never heard of. If you have doubts, check the dealer's reputation at bbbonline.org. When entering sensitive information, make sure the site displays "https" before its address and look for certification symbols from TRUSTe and other such organizations. Sites with these are usually safe, but there are no guarantees.


• Let software protect you. Make sure your security software is activated and updated. Check our Ratings for the best security suites (available to subscribers) to see how well online protection programs performed. The best security suites recommended (also available to subscribers) by our experts includes a set of programs that is available online for free. An antiphishing toolbar will warn you when you're venturing into dangerous territory. For more information, take a look at our Ratings of antiphishing toolbars (available to subscribers) and our Recommendations (also available to subscribers) include programs that are freely available online.


• Set up your wireless router properly. Change the default network name; hackers know the names manufacturers use by default in their routers. Choose WPA rather than WEP as your encryption standard.

For more safe-surfing tips, visit our Guide to Online Security.

—Donna Tapellini

Comments

[Diane Shaib]

You are correct to recommend using a "virtual credit card" ... it is an easy and free and totally safe way to shop smart and secure online. However, not all card issuers offer this valuable service. Therefore, use a credit card from Citibank or Bank of America or Discover or your PayPal account and they will generate a "virtual one-time-use-number" for you to use at check-out. This way you do not have to share your card details with any merchant. The charges are linked to your real account and you maintain the same protections and legal rights as if you used the real card number. Each of these companies has a unique name for their version of the product: "Virtual Account Numbers" at Citi, "ShopSafe" at Bank of America, "Secure Online Account Numbers" at Discover and "Secure Cards" at PayPal. Go to the company websites and check it out. You can enroll for free and then shop without fear of exposing your personal financial/card data.