Webroot's Online Shopping Tips

Good advice from webroot about online shopping ---


Only make purchases from secure Web sites. The fastest way to tell? Look at the web address on the page where you're entering your credit card information. Secured Web sites start with "https:" instead of "http:".

1. Think Before You Click: Never click links to unfamiliar Web sites. If you use a search engine to find gifts, treat every result with caution -- especially the ones promising a link to an unbelievable deal.

2. Install Security Software: At a minimum, your PC should have security software with up-to-date antispyware, antivirus and firewall protection.

3. Know the Retailer: If you are unfamiliar with the retailer you want to purchase from, look for more information about the company by contacting the Better Business Bureau.

4. Use a Credit Card, Not a Debit Card: If you are a victim of fraud or cybercrime, most credit card agreements limit your liability for the charges.

5. Monitor Your Credit: It is important to monitor your credit report and/or credit status on a regular basis to quickly spot anything unusual.

6. Ask About a "Single Use" Credit Card: Many credit card companies are now able to issue single-use credit card numbers for online purchases -- so you can avoid using your real credit card number online. (Discover uses Single Online Account Numbers and Citibank has a One-time use number. You do have to have online access to your credit card account set up to access these services)

It's all about ...popularity!

Another hacking tool was released for the iPhone today -- this one is a bit more serious and can steal data (contacts, messages, email, etc). The previous hack released earlier this week would replace the user background with a Rick Astley image.

According to F-Secure's Runald “... we’ve already seen more serious vulnerabilities in the iPhone in a year and a half than we’ve seen in the whole life of Symbian and Windows mobile OSes,”

So why so many hacks against a Apple devices? iPhones are poular. Many people jailbreak their iphones so they can install apps that aren't signed and approved by Apple. It's a much more appealing target for hackers -- much the same as windows PCs have been a more appealing target that Apple for years.

The number of hacks is not so much about the security of the product, but about the desire for a hacker to break it -- if they really want in, they will find a way.

Finding a good job is hard!