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MANILA, Philippines – Online shopping eliminates the hassle of long lines and the mad rush. But online shoppers are not completely spared from trouble as they are prone to the attack of cybercriminals even if they visit a legitimate website.

According to an Internet security software developer, cybercriminals even have new and improved ways to steal confidential information of online shoppers.

That is why Kaspersky Lab, the world’s largest privately-held Internet Security company, gave tips for safe online shopping. The company provides comprehensive protection against all forms of IT threats such as viruses, spyware, hackers and spam.

First, an online shopper must have secure and up-to-date computer software programs installed. Install and keep anti-malware software updated with the latest signatures. This will help protect a user from viruses and data theft Trojans that steal sensitive financial information.

Apply all operating system patches in a timely manner and install updates for all browsers and commonly exploited computer applications such as Adobe's Flash Player and PDF Reader to Java and iTunes. In addition, enable the automatic updates of operating systems and software programs.

An online shopper is recommended to use a dedicated credit card specifically for online shopping. Using a dedicated credit card with a low credit line limits one’s exposure to fraud. Avoid using debit cards that draw money directly from a bank account.

One must also know what he is buying and from whom he is buying the object because fraudsters can set up e-commerce stores under any name to “phish” for credit card information. Locate and note phone numbers and physical addresses of vendors in case there is a problem with a transaction.

If a pop-up chat box asks for credit card details while shopping online, one is advised to ignore it and close out the Web site. Legitimate online sellers never ask for information via chat boxes or e-mails.

It is also suggested to pay attention to the descriptions on items for sale. The word “refurbished” is usually a clue that the item is not in a very good condition. If a price appears too good to be true, it probably is.

An online shopper is also advised to make sure that his transaction is encrypted and his privacy is protected. The browser URL must begin with "https://" and has a closed padlock icon on the right of the address bar or at the bottom of the browser window. It is also worth taking a moment to check the site's privacy policy and understand exactly how information will be stored and used.

Kaspersky Lab also recommended the usage of strong passwords and security features. The company suggested the following tips:

• Get into the habit of using a different password for every online store.
• Write down those passwords and put them in a safe place.
• Use both lowercase and capital letters.
• Use a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters.
• Use passphrases when you can. A passphrase is a sequence of words used in place of a password. It is usually longer, 20 to 30 characters. They can be remembered easier than passwords without being written down, reducing that risk as well. For example: The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog becomes tqbfjotld.
• Don't use passwords that are based on birthdays or pets’ names that can be easily accessed or guessed.
• Don't use words that can be found in any dictionary of any language. These can be cracked with software tools.
• Develop a mnemonic for remembering complex passwords. Alternately, write them down and store them in your wallet.

Lastly, an online shopper is advised to keep a record of purchases and copies of order confirmation pages, so that he can compare them to his bank statements. If the online shopper detects a discrepancy, he is advised to investigate it thoroughly and report it to his financial institution immediately.