You can do your shopping anywhere, anytime, online. It is a great age in which we live, no trying to find a parking space, no standing in line. But with the convenience, comes risk. Here are some important pointers when doing your holiday shopping on and off-line:

• Make sure the company you are dealing with offers a contact number so that you can follow up if you have any problems. Print your receipt! Also check out their return policy.
• Know the real cost of the item. Use a shopping bot to search the Web for the best deal. www.mysimon.com www.froogle.com or go to www.botspot.com . Don't forget to add shipping costs and in some cases, sales tax to the total. It is easy to over pay when you don't consider all the cost.
• Use a reliable merchant. Don't go with what ever the shopping bot offers up as the lowest price. Check the Better Business Bureau web site (http://www.bbb.org) and Reseller Ratings (http://www.resellerratings.com) to assess the reliability of the merchant before ordering.
• Ensure the transaction will be secure. When you are entering credit card information, be sure the address on the page that is asking for this information is https:// The S is the key. This indicates a protocol that enables secure transmission of Web pages, ensuring your credit card information will not be sent in clear text across the internet. The web page should also have a small lock symbol in the bottom right hand corner of the window.
• Pass up the opportunity to save your password or credit card on shopping sites.
• Speaking of credit cards, do not send cash under any circumstances. If you pay by credit or charge card online, your transaction will be protected by the Fair Credit Billing Act. Under this law, you have the right to dispute charges and temporarily withhold payment while the creditor is investigating. In the event your credit or charge card is used without your knowledge and permission, you generally are liable for no more than $50 in charges per card. Also never use a debit card online.
• Use anti-virus software, spyware detectors and a firewall and update them regularly.
       Anti-virus software protects your computer from viruses that can destroy your data, slow your computer's performance, cause a crash, or even allow hackers to take over your computer.
       Spyware software can warn you if there is spyware present. Spyware is software that covertly gathers user information through the user's Internet connection without his or her knowledge, usually for advertising purposes. Once installed, the spyware monitors user activity on the Internet and transmits that information in the background to someone else.
       Firewalls help keep hackers from using your computer to send out your personal information without your permission. Think of a firewall as a guard, watching for outside attempts to access your system and blocking communications. If your operating system doesn't include a firewall, get separate software firewall, or install hardware firewall - an external device that includes firewall software.

Well we hope we have not discouraged you from shopping online. Crime is everywhere, all the time, but sadly more so at the Holidays. If you are going to brave the elements of the physical world (and I do mean elements), keep these security tips in mind:

• Remember to lock your car and do not leave any bags in view to tempt thieves.
• Be aware of your surroundings at all times. If you look distracted you probably are and you are an easy target. Don't be hung up looking at your blackberry walking around.
• Travel light - if possible don't even carry a purse, have your ID and credit card in your front pocket.
• Don't carry a ton of shopping bags. Have the store hold your merchandise or hide it in your trunk.
• Place items in your trunk before the next stop not after. This makes it harder for would be thieves to know you have your goodies stashed in your trunk.
• Don't go it alone, shop with others, it's safer.
• Walk with confidence and defiance - sounds weird - but it is proven that thieves don't like confident victims.
• Be ready when you leave, have your keys in hand - don't be fumbling around in your pocket or purse.
• Look around your car as you approach - many thieves will try to waylay others by hiding underneath or on the passenger side of your vehicle.

Okay, I don't know about you but I am sticking with the hazards of the Web - much less Physical!

Have a Happy and Safe Holiday Season!

Contributed by-
Brenda B. Gombosky, CISSP
Information Technology

Questions?

For more information on information security, you are welcome to contact the University Information Security Officer:

Bruce W. Edwards
Information Security Officer
University of Louisville
MedCenter One Building
501 East Broadway, Suite 320
Louisville, KY 40202

e-mail: bruce.edwardsjr @ louisville.edu (Remove spaces in email address, there to minimize spam)

Web: http://security.louisville.edu