About secured transactions and browsing online.
We always try to recommend reliable websites with secured server transaction  pages. As soon as you start your order procedure, you will see a tiny lock icon in your browser's window. This is an indication that your details cannot be seen by a third party. Depending on the browser you use, you will be able to find this lock either at the right side of the address bar or in one of the bottom corners of your window.
If you cannot find this symbol, try to trace a Secured Server Transaction notice on the website page itself. In all cases, the address of a secured page starts with the prefix “https” rather than “http”. The final “s” stands for “secure socket layer” and it means that any information sent or received through this page will be encrypted and no third party will be able to trace it. If you cannot see any of the above security signs and you do not feel confident enough to proceed, you can send an e-mail to the webmaster and ask for more information, regarding the security of your transaction.
The browser you use is a very important barrier against any malicious action like theft of personal details. The safest browsers are the Internet Explorer, Mozilla-Firefox, Netscape and Opera. Although the two latest have very advanced security features, the Internet Explorer 7 is considered safer. However, the Mozilla-Firefox is the safest. Whatever browser you use, you will be updated about new enhanced versions automatically. Alternatively, you can check on your own by visiting the relevant sites. Try the links below to download or to upgrade the browser you prefer.
Internet Explorer with Google Toolbar
Netscape
Opera
Anti-virus and anti-spyware protection.
Using a reliable browser is the first step to safe navigation. Apart from that, you need two more elements, regardless if you do online shopping or not. One anti-virus program and a very good anti-spyware software are essential. Viruses and spyware are tiny malicious forms of software that can “contaminate” your computer, causing minor, annoying or disastrous problems. For instance, they can trigger the appearance of pop-ups, damage your hard disk, highjack your browser and reveal your preferences or your personal details, including your card number. Even if your Internet Provider offers protection or you use a router with integrated firewall, DO NOT go online, without protection against viruses and spyware. What is more, do not trust any free software to protect you. In many cases, such freebies are spyware themselves.
Since we have been using the internet, we have tried quite a lot of anti-virus and anti-spyware well known programs, including McAfee, Norton, Bullguard, Counterspy, NoAdaware, Spyware Doctor and Spy Cleaner Gold. Some of them were good, whereas others were a total disappointment.
Eventually, we ended up with a very sturdy combination. We use the AVG anti-virus from Grisoft.com and the Spy Sweeper from Webroot.com. The first software, apart from the full protection against viruses, provides a very reliable firewall. The second one gives a lot of confidence and peace of mind with four different shields, for your browser, network, start-up programs and Windows system. Recently, Webroot has added firewall and anti-virus very good protection facilities in the same software. The results have been excellent. Both of the programs work in the background quietly, without fancy, disturbing alarms and they update themselves automatically on a daily basis. We recommend them without any hesitation. Try the following links if you want to find AVG and Spy Sweeper and enjoy your shopping online.
AVG Anti-Virus
Spy Sweeper
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