wondering?

evening everyone
i was just thinking--i am just beginning to learn about security but the way things are is it ever perfectly safe to use your credit card online?for anything?

Rita

 

I purchase online. I do use a credit card for those purchases but I make absolutley sure that the site that I am doing business with is actually the one I want. And check your card statment often to make sure there are no purchases you are not aware of. It is still relatively safe to shop the net.The biggest security app you have is on your shoulders so we have to remember to use it.

 

morning Bigc
thanks for the reply-i have shopped online alot of times but with all i'm learning i wondered if it was safe lol.I'm trying to use my head for something other than a hat rack also

thanks and have a great day
Rita

 

Think about this: When you use your credit card online, it is only traveling online for a split second. If you order something through snail mail, your credit card number takes several days to reach its destination and is touch by at least a dozen hands. Never STORE your credit card number on your pc or use the AutoComplete feature, always type it anew each time you use it or use a respected Password Manager. The WEAKEST LINK in all this is the company you are purchasing something from, again think about this: The company will still have your credit card number in their computers regardless of whether you ordered online, on the phone, or thru snail mail. If given the option to let a company store your credit card number so you have an "option" to order quickly next time, skip that option and do the slower ordering methond again next time, retyping everything all over again, yes, it's inconvienent but it's best not to let the company keep your credit card info, to repeat, that is always the weakest link; hackers are much more eager to hack their computers, not yours. Good luck.

Acadia

 

you are absolutely right now that ive thought about it.sometimes i just dont think and i always type everything in again each and every time i order something also watch my statements etc.
Rita

 

A point well worth making - even if a company does secure credit card data properly (as a customer, you have no way of verifying this without trying to "crack" their system yourself) their server will still be a more attractive target since they will have dozens (if not hundreds or thousands) of other CC numbers also.

 

All very good responses, which I agree with. Just to be safe, I usually use a disposable credit card number. Many credit card companies issue these now. They are issued for usually a single use, and are linked back to your account.

 

dear ritaann, when you're using your credit card online make sure the site is safe. the link should be HTTPS not just HTTP. also make sure the site is certified by some authority like VeriSign.

 

Also as always make sure your computer is virus/trojan/spyware/adware free before putting in your cc info.

 

BTW: in case of misuse, you can claim the damages with the credit card firm, it's their loss if a seller is not bona fide or if hackers steals a cc-list. So check your balance sheets.

As was mentioned before:
There not much different from a physical transaction. Just take care of the security of the site you're buying from. HTTPS being needed. Just be aware of phishing acts.

Check if the seller debits your account at shipping time and take note of the name of the collector. It often is not the name of the site you're buying from.

 

have a card for online use only and make sure it has a very low limit. u can arrange this thru ur bank.

 

Hello Daisey
i had never heard of a disposable credit card.are they something new?that would be a great idea to use one
Rita

 

thanks AMRX
that is one thing i always do (making sure site is https instead of http)
rita

 

hi Peaches
thanks for reply--never thought of using a card with a low limit--that makes good sense huh?
have a good day
Rita

 

Lots of sensible answers. Also don't forget your bank - they are not immune to errors. ALWAYS check your purchases against the bank statement (which means you must save all dockets). In the last 5 years I have detected 5 transactions debited to my credit card and which were not my purchases. I don't know if the bank was hacked or if they goofed during data entry or a if a card reader had electronic hiccups somewhere.
The bank did however reverse these transactions immediately when I notified them, and I haven't seen those 5 ever again.
/ H