Shopping online allows us to research and find just the right product at the best price, anytime of the day or night. Here is what you need to know to protect yourself when online shopping.

Just about anyone can get a merchant account online and ask for your credit card number. Your best bet is to do business only with reputable online merchants that have established privacy and return policies. It is always a good idea to give as little personal information as is required by any website. Sometimes, when you make an online purchase or even when you are simply registering as a customer at an online merchant, you will see a checkbox that will allow you to either opt in or opt out of certain mailings.

Before you enter your credit card number, make sure that the https code appears in front of the URL in your browser. Also look for the symbol in the lower right corner of your browser that indicates a secure connection. When you create a password on any site that contains personal or financial data, make the password unique. Instead of your birthday or your telephone number, for example, use a combination of letters and numbers.

Use a credit card, instead of a debit card. When you make a purchase with a credit card, you are protected under the Fair Credit Billing Act, which means that you have the right to dispute charges. Phishing scams often come in the form of unsolicited bulk email, or spam. Check to see if your Internet Service Provider offers a spam filtering solution, or check into a third party spam filter, such as Spam Arrest. Update your antivirus, malware, and spyware protection regularly.

You can enjoy the convenience of shopping online, as long as you are proactive and use common sense in protecting your privacy. As the industry continues to grow, respected online merchants will continue to strive to ensure you have a safe, satisfying, and enjoyable experience on the Internet.