INDEPTH: COMPUTER SECURITY
Protecting your personal information
CBC News Online | Feb. 18, 2005
SHOPPING ONLINE | »PHISHING | »SPYWARE | »COOKIES | »WIRELESS NETWORKS
Safe shopping online
More and more Canadians are shopping at cyber malls.
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An estimated 3.2 million Canadian households shopped online in 2003, up from 2.8 million a year earlier, according to a 2004 Statistics Canada survey on household internet use.
Canadians spent just over $3 billion in goods and services, compared to $2.4 billion in 2002.
"The new figures confirm that households are increasingly using the internet as a method of purchasing goods from both Canadian and foreign vendors," Statistics Canada said.
Even as shoppers turn to cybermalls for their retail needs, many indicated concerns about security aspects of the internet. More than three-quarters of the 2.7 million households that paid online said they were very concerned about financial transactions conducted over the web.
According to a Symantec report covering the first six months of 2004, customers need to take precautions when it comes to shopping online.
E-commerce as most targeted industry, according to a 2004 Symantec report.
Click on graph to enlarge. [will open pop-up window]
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Sixteen per cent of total attacks on business and individuals were directed at the e-commerce industry in the first half of last year, up from four per cent, according to the study.
Shopping from the comfort of your home can be convenient and more relaxing, but there are a few things to keep in mind before surfing for sales.
Tips for shopping online:
Before entering any confidential information, check to see if the site's secure.
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Shop with companies you know, and find out about their physical locations. If a website doesn't give its address and contact information, consider taking your business elsewhere.
- Know what you're paying. Whatever is listed on the site can be substantially different from the final price. A reputable vendor will include shipping and handling costs before you make the final decision to purchase an item.
- Find out about the site's privacy policy. How will your information be used and will it be shared with others?
- Look for seals of approval that confirm the credibility of the company and its website, for example BBB On-line (the Better Business Bureau), WebTrust (from the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants), or the Canadian Marketing Association. Check the vendor with these organizations.
Is it a secure site?
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- Never give away your credit card number or other confidential information without making sure your connection is secure. Check for a closed lock or unbroken key on your browser. A secure connection will begin with https:// instead of http://.
Bill Rosenkrantz,
group product manager at Symantec, also suggests clicking on the lock icon to check the digital certificate. The name on there should match the company site you're visiting.
- Check what the vendor's policy is regarding returns, complaints and warranties.
- Keep records of your online transactions, and check your e-mail for information from a vendor regarding your purchase.
- Review your credit card and bank account statements every month to check for errors or unauthorized purchases.
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