Shopping online has become the norm, we all do it and its great – so convenient and often a lot cheaper than retail stores! But I am suprised by how often I am asked about the safety of buying online. So, here are some quick tips for how to shop safely online and enjoy the best of what the web has to offer.

1. Don’t transact via email.
Email is able to be intercepted or accessed without your permission fairly easily. There are so many safe payment options available today you should definitely have no need to send your account details or credit card details via email.

2. Check for a padlock icon.
Before entering any payment information check to ensure there is a little padlock icon appearing in your browser – either in the address bar, or in the status bar at the bottom of the page. This indicates that the website is secure and that any credit card details will be encrypted. Also check that the web address starts with ‘https’ not just ‘http’ as the ‘s’ means ‘secure’. If you can’t find either of these indications then shop elsewhere, or enquire about other payment options such as PayPal.

3. PayPal is your friend!
PayPal is an online service that allows payment via credit card, bank transfer, or account funds without sharing your financial information. Its free to use and payment is delivered instantly into your account. Best of all it is totally secure, very reliable, and often insures you automatically for goods purchased so that you’re covered if your item gets lost or stolen en route.

4. Use reputable sellers or stores
If there is a choice, go for large professional and reputable stores or stores you have purchased from successfully before. Always check Ebay seller’s ratings before purchasing, and read store reviews.

5. Shop from a clean computer and don’t store details
When entering personal details of any kind ensure your computer is virus and malware free. Free applications such as AVG Free are available online and are a must have for any web user. Also always decline if the browser offers to save your credit information, especially on a shared computer.

6. Keep a record and check your statements
Keeping a paper trail of your online purchases will be usefull incase something goes wrong. Keep track of what you’re expecting, when, and from whom and check your bank statements to ensure your card details haven’t been swiped.