Security Guide & Tips

Ensuring Your Purchase is Secure Online

How does an online shopper know that their online purchase is safe? There are a few simple steps that you can take to be sure your online order is secure.

Look For The Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)

Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) is a protocol that has been designed to provide secure communications on the Internet. SSL operates by layering a security protocol on top of an underlying reliable connection-oriented transport protocol. The combined protocol establishes a connection with a remote host and then performs an electronic handshake between the two to establish a secure session. After the "security handshake" is complete, the protocol then encrypts and authenticates data sent through the web browser and decrypts and verifies data received from the server.

You may be assured that your private information is completely secure by checking the web location address area of your browser. As you complete your order and are asked to provide payment and shipping information, you will notice that no matter what browser you are using, your location bar will read "https://", indicating that you've just entered a secure area.

Look For The Secure SSL Padlock

Another way to be sure that your private information is completely secure is by checking for the secure SSL padlock. This can normally be found near the location bar, the title of the web page or the status bar at the bottom.

Single or double clicking on the padlock symbol will allow you to validate the websites secure certificate of authenticity.

If you are still uncomfortable placing your order online, call the company and place your order on the telephone.

Email Spam and Phishing

Email is a main stay communications method for most people and unfortunately has seen significant problems as the result of Spam, Phishing and Viruses/Trojans.

Some quick guidelines to follow when reading your emails

• Take a common sense approach at all times.
• Treat messages from an unknown Sender with caution. Check who the Sender of the message really is by checking the messages headers
• Never open, run or save attachments from unknown Senders - this is what normally carries the trojan software.
• Don't click on any link in an e-mail from a user or organisation unfamiliar to you.
• Don't respond to any request via e-mail to pass on any "secure" information about yourself, for example user IDs and passwords.
• Don't run or save attachments to e-mails apparently sent by bona fide organisations where you have not solicited the e-mail. Check the company web site or phone them to confirm the message is legitimate.

Reducing the risk of virus attack

There are some simple steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of an attack on your computer being successful.

• Run virus software and keep it updated
• Configure your system for auto updates (Security Updates)
• Be suspicious of email attachments, if unsure save the attachment to a newly created folder on the disk and manually virus scan the folder.
• Be suspicious of email messages that re-direct you to web pages, if unsure type the web address manually into a new browser window - do not click the link
• Be suspicious of any email from unknown sources, especially if they ask for personal details
• Do not mass forward email warning messages
• Backup, Backup, Backup!
• Use a personal firewall