how does online security system work?
(online security means to information protection, such ss#, credit card info...)

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Clarification of Question by luk-ga on 13 Nov 2002 00:09 PST

how does the web site keep their clients' info private?
how do i know it is safe to shop online?

Hi! Thanks for this very important question.

Online security works by addressing two main events when you shop
online. One is for transaction security or while you are buying
particular product, and the other is about data storage security
wherein the website safely stores any information regarding the
transaction. The following article provides a good and easy to
understand explanation on the nature of online security when you shop
online.

“Online security”
http://www.ibizbasics.com/ecom041001.htm 

Knowing that your shopping safely online is really important. The
following article tells us that although there are really no
guarantees against fraud. You could protect yourself by following some
tips, which the author provides in his work. The encryption
technology, mentioned which protects the data you send and stored by
the web retailer in the first article, is explained here in a simple
manner.

“A technology called Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) is used to encrypt the
credit card information that you send over the Internet. Sites that
use it will inform you that they do. A telltale sign is an https
instead of http on the page that takes in your credit card
information. Another technology used is Secure Electronic Transaction,
or SET. Some measures will cause your browser to display the icon of a
locked padlock or key if the site is secure. While the signs of a
secure site are no guarantee against fraud, if they aren’t there,
never ever give sensitive information. Secure pages make to and fro
transfer of data slower than otherwise. So not all the pages will be
secure. This is normal.”

“Survival guide to online shopping”
http://www.ciol.com/content/home/issues/100091601.asp 

Another set of quality advice when shopping online could be found in
the next article.

“E-Commerce and You: Online Shopping Tips”
http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs23-shopping.htm 

Using your browser to aid in secured transactions is also very
important. The following articles straight from Microsoft and
Netscape, two of the most popular browsers would be of great
importance to your query.

“Security Basics: Safe Online Shopping and Banking” – Microsoft
http://www.microsoft.com/insider/guide/sec.asp 

“Eleven Easy Ways to Protect Yourself” – Tips from Netscape
http://wp.netscape.com/security/basics/elevenways.html 

Search terms used: 
"data security" "online shopping" studies

I hope these links would help you in your research. Before rating this
answer, please ask for a clarification if you have a question or if
you would need further information.

Thanks for visiting us.

Regards,
Easterangel-ga

I thought the 11 steps were more trouble than the $100 per year I
might save doing business on line. If you agree, use a credit card
with barely enough credit left to handle the transaction, and keep
your fingers crossed. You will likely lose your money if you wait even
20 days to discover an error or theft has occured. After 30 days most
credit cards won't even try to resolve a dispute.   Neil