Online shopping now is a massive industry. We buy, we sell, we settle payments... the list will be endless of what we can do online. Hundreds of billions of dollars are spent worldwide online shopping each year. Unfortunately, with all the pluses of ease and speed of shopping online and transactions, come several negatives. Here are a few tips to making shopping online shopping reviews, content, safer.

When using sites, always attempt to use well-known and secure sites, to ensure that your chance of being taken benefit of is significantly lessened, or eliminated. You can check with the department of consumer affairs to find out if a particular site isn't recommended.

When using a safe and secure site, many steps have been taken to ensure your security.

Advanced encryption and validation processes, are used to protect your bank card number. This stops others from identity theft and fraud. If your browser shows a locked icon near the web address, then this is going to show that you will be on a safe and secure site.

Secure sites could also have https:// in place of http://, the 's' means 'secure server'.
Other items you could look for may include pop up windows that confirm your security. If none of these are in place, then it is probable that the site isn't as secure as you need it to be.

Paying by bank card is really quite safe compared to traditional beliefs. Encryption and bank card technologies have made most transactions very secure. In the majority of countries, the credit card is limited to a certain amount (for example $50) to minimise the possibility of unauthorised use. Credit cards may be safer to use than money orders and checks.

You may also use an alternative - the single use card, one that is just used for online purchases. You may find this service from some bank card companies. These cards will expire right after their use so a potential hacker can not retrieve any funds from you. Ask your bank about this service.

Keep all transaction records. These are proof as well as a trail that may be used as evidence that you made only certain purchasers. They're going to show order dates, delivery dates, and every other details that could be required in an investigation.