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SHOP ONLINE SAFELY

Online transactions are very safe if the HTTPS shows up in your navigation bar at the top of your browser and a padlock shows up in the bottom right corner. If you ever hear that the protocol that supports online transactions, known as SSL (Secure Socket Layer), is broken, it's true. But it's a theoretical break. It's never been broken in practice.

However, there are some other issues. Unfortunately, some websites make a practice of storing your information on their own servers, and those servers may or may not be secured appropriately. Plus, there's no real way for the average consumer to find out if they are secure. Although these servers should just pass-through the card verification and dump your credit card information after a transaction, or otherwise encrypt it at all times, some do, and some don't. Past database break-ins have proven that fact.

So what's the solution? Use a credit card, not a bank card (even one stamped with VISA on the front or MasterCard in the back). A few banks still charge if your number is stolen, although Federal Law limits your liability to $50. However, having your personal bank card number stolen is often a bigger disruption to your life. Why? Because the bank card number accesses all of the money in the account to which it is attached. You could have thousands of dollars stolen in goods and services before you realize what's happened. The lacking funds, even for a short period, might cause you trouble with other financial requirements.

Credit card companies have good reason to become alert and lock down questionable activity more quickly, and best of all, they charge you nothing in most cases. Your own money is not touched. The credit card company - although it is just another bank - are the ones handing over their money in your name. You haven't given them your money... yet (and with all that interest). That's why they react more quickly. Your personal bank offers more freedom with money handling, but that freedom comes with some security trade-offs. Using a credit card online will reduce your overall risk.