Setting Up E-commerce on Your Website
By Sherry Holub
According to the U.S. Department of Commerce the estimated total of e-commerce sales for 2005 was $86.3 billion, which is an increase of 24.6 percent over 2004. Overall business successes can sometimes hinge on that business' ability to accept transactions over the internet. In addition, the internet can help turn a local company into an international company and open up new avenues of business.
However, creating an e-commerce website does not automatically mean website sales. In a future article I will focus more on the aspects of actually operating an e-commerce website, but for now, I will cover the basics that will answer most questions for businesses who are considering the move to selling online.
First Steps
Let's assume that your business already has a professionally designed website. We usually ask new clients with existing websites who would like to start selling on the internet a series of questions to help determine the best solution for selling online:
Who is your target audience?
It is important to know who your customers are when taking into consideration the design of your e-commerce website.
What type of web hosting do you currently have?
The type of hosting can determine what type of programming is used on your website. Also, if you do not have sufficient resources to have an e-commerce website, then it is important to know this in advance so that we may suggest a suitable host for a client's needs.
How many products are you going to be selling?
Sometimes a client may only have a handful of products, in which case, a shopping cart (either pre-developed or custom) is not necessarily the best solution.
What type of special features would you like your shopping cart to have (example: coupons, affiliate program, downloadable goods, etc.)?
This is quite possibly the most important question because the answers to our special e-commerce website pre-development survey are usually the basis for understanding the specifics of a client's needs and for determining the price and time necessary to complete the project.
Explaining E-commerce
The next step in the process usually involves explaining to the client exactly how e-commerce works on the web. Below is a brief explanation of the technology behind the process and what is necessary to sell items on the internet.
The Process
Once a customer visits an e-commerce websites, adds product to their cart, and then clicks to check out, it official begins the transaction of the sale. Programming in the shopping cart enables the credit card information to be sent to what is called a payment gateway. The payment gateway's sole purpose is to offer a secure way to pass this information through the merchant account and on to the credit card processing bank. The processing bank sends the information to the customer's credit card issuer and the transaction is either approved or declined. From there, the results of the transaction are relayed back to the payment gateway where they are stored and sent to both the customer and merchant for verification. At this stage, the shopping cart usually issues a receipt to the customer and a notification of the order to the business.
A Merchant Account
The first thing a business needs in order to accept credit cards online is a merchant account. The merchant account is usually a business back account that is either set up through a Merchant Service Provider (for example, http://www.cardservice.com) or through your regular bank. When a transaction is approved on your website, the merchant account provider will deposit the funds in an account such as your business checking account.
A Payment Gateway
A payment gateway is the online terminal for encrypting and sending transaction information back and forth between your website, the merchant account and to the processing bank. One of the most popular gateways is http://www.authorize.net Most merchant account providers can also sell you a payment gateway.
A Secure Certificate (SSL)
A secure certificate is a necessity when running online transactions as it provides your customers with a secure webpage in order to enter their personal and credit card information before it is sent through the gateway. How can you tell you are on a secure order page? Simply look for a small lock symbol at the top of your browser next to the website address and https:// before the web address.
Shopping Cart Systems
Through discussing all of the details of a proposed e-commerce business website, we can help our clients determine what the best shopping cart solution is; whether it is a pre-developed cart, or a new custom programmed cart. We go through an extensive interview process to make sure each e-commerce solutions is custom tailored to the client's needs.
In Conclusion
I hope this information will be helpful to businesses that are just starting out with e-commerce, but remember, these are only the first initial steps to setting up your website to sell online. In a future article I will cover what happens after your internet store is "live", how you will be able to perform updates to your store on your own, and some tips on how to market your site and products more effectively.
Sherry Holub received her degree in design from UCLA in 1995. She is now the Lead Designer and Creative Director at Southern California firm, JV Media Design. Sherry is also a member of the AIGA, the International Academy of the Visual Arts (IAVA), and Manchester Who's Who.
http://www.jvmediadesign.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sherry_Holub
http://EzineArticles.com/?Setting-Up-E-commerce-on-Your-Website&id=244336
An overview of the first steps necessary to create a e-commerce website as well as an explanation of the technology that enables online sales.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Wireless Credit Card Machines
Merchant Credit Card Terminals
By Kent Pinkerton
Merchant credit card terminals are electronic devices offering fast, low-cost means to authorize and process credit card transactions. They are very commonly used in retail stores and restaurants. Most merchant credit card terminals accept all major credit, debit, and private-label cards offering low-cost credit card authorization, check guarantee, and data capture for a range of retail applications.
A terminal to process credit cards is a great investment to your business. Most merchant credit card terminals support Internet-based services such as e-mail, electronic signature, interactive electronic coupons, onscreen advertising, cash management reporting, and e-commerce. They make transactions more convenient, faster, and accurate for both customers and merchants.
At first, merchant credit card processing terminals verify your customer's card information. Then they withdraw money for the purchase from the customer?s account and deposit it directly into your merchant account. The most important units of merchant credit card terminals are card readers with a small keypad and display. They require power supply and can communicate through a telephone line. Modern terminals are powered by batteries and can communicate wireless or over the Internet. They come in several sizes and prices.
There are many types of merchant credit card terminals: traditional terminals (with or without printers), wireless terminals, and virtual or software-based terminals. Merchants with a permanent place of business need a basic card reader terminal. In this case, the terminal is placed right on the counter where all transactions take place. For businesses that constantly change locations, a wireless credit card processing terminal is a good choice. It is suitable for merchants who are always on the go.
Millions of merchant credit card terminals ship annually and the majority have the same basic functions and features. It can only be used in combination with a merchant account that processes credit card transactions. Businesses already using credit card terminals need to buy extra equipments to maintain additional services such as debit card transactions and issuing and accepting gift cards. A number of terminals also support additional forms of payment such as electronic bank transfers and phone cards.
Credit Card Terminals provides detailed information on Credit Card Terminals, Credit Card Terminal Systems, Wireless Credit Card Terminals, Credit Card Processing Terminals and more. Credit Card Terminals is affiliated with Credit Card Processing Software.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kent_Pinkerton
http://EzineArticles.com/?Merchant-Credit-Card-Terminals&id=353177
By Kent Pinkerton
Merchant credit card terminals are electronic devices offering fast, low-cost means to authorize and process credit card transactions. They are very commonly used in retail stores and restaurants. Most merchant credit card terminals accept all major credit, debit, and private-label cards offering low-cost credit card authorization, check guarantee, and data capture for a range of retail applications.
A terminal to process credit cards is a great investment to your business. Most merchant credit card terminals support Internet-based services such as e-mail, electronic signature, interactive electronic coupons, onscreen advertising, cash management reporting, and e-commerce. They make transactions more convenient, faster, and accurate for both customers and merchants.
At first, merchant credit card processing terminals verify your customer's card information. Then they withdraw money for the purchase from the customer?s account and deposit it directly into your merchant account. The most important units of merchant credit card terminals are card readers with a small keypad and display. They require power supply and can communicate through a telephone line. Modern terminals are powered by batteries and can communicate wireless or over the Internet. They come in several sizes and prices.
There are many types of merchant credit card terminals: traditional terminals (with or without printers), wireless terminals, and virtual or software-based terminals. Merchants with a permanent place of business need a basic card reader terminal. In this case, the terminal is placed right on the counter where all transactions take place. For businesses that constantly change locations, a wireless credit card processing terminal is a good choice. It is suitable for merchants who are always on the go.
Millions of merchant credit card terminals ship annually and the majority have the same basic functions and features. It can only be used in combination with a merchant account that processes credit card transactions. Businesses already using credit card terminals need to buy extra equipments to maintain additional services such as debit card transactions and issuing and accepting gift cards. A number of terminals also support additional forms of payment such as electronic bank transfers and phone cards.
Credit Card Terminals provides detailed information on Credit Card Terminals, Credit Card Terminal Systems, Wireless Credit Card Terminals, Credit Card Processing Terminals and more. Credit Card Terminals is affiliated with Credit Card Processing Software.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kent_Pinkerton
http://EzineArticles.com/?Merchant-Credit-Card-Terminals&id=353177
Friday, May 11, 2007
Wireless Credit Card Machines
Making A Credit Card Work For You
By Max Hunter
Boosting Your Credit-Rating With A Well-Managed Credit Card
A considerable obstacle standing between many Americans and the
consumer goods they consider a necessary or desirable part of
life is a ready way to pay for them. From a new piece of
furniture to a car or even a house an age old problem stands in
their way: MONEY – or rather how to get hold of it.
A lucky few earn enough to never have to worry about this
problem. Many more consumers have lenders simply falling over
themselves with offers of credit. For a lot of people, however,
a poor credit history or a low credit rating stands as an
inexorable difference between living the life they want, and
looking with perpetual envy at their neighbor. Even relatively
low cost essentials, such as a vacuum cleaner or television
set, can be too expensive if a way of spreading the initial
cost is not available.
But it doesn’t have to be that way. Credit is available for
those with a lower credit scores, but better still: Borrowing
even relatively small amounts can be a great way for borrowers
with a "chequered past" to improve their credit rating. A
better credit score can lead to an array of greater awards in
the future, including better APR deals and larger credit lines.
If you have a poor credit rating and dreams of one day buying a
house, a credit card is the first logical step to pulling up
your record and getting a mortgage.
Making regular monthly payments to an agreed timescale on a
credit card is – short of scooping a massive inheritance from a
long lost millionaire aunt – one of the single best ways to
improve your credit score. So long as you don’t take on more
debt than you can afford, credit cars are ideal: payments are
reasonably sized and flexible, and if you budget properly can
be structured towards an ultimate payoff
Moreover, you have to be wise to how credit card companies
work. Credit cards are designed by financial institutions as a
way to keep you making minimum payments for years to come – and
enslaved to large interest payments from which they make many of
their profits. Borrow only what you can, and pay back the debt
as quickly as possible.
Of course, even when dealing with the very best lenders, trying
to secure credit card financing with a lower credit rating does
throw up some problems.
Financial institutions will usually insist on a higher interest
rate and sometimes may even ask for a guarantor. The interest
rate can be up to three times what a good credit borrower would
be offered, although in these days of low interest rates, that
need not be prohibitively expensive.
Always try and walk before you run. If you have a high interest
rate on your credit card, borrow sparingly and pay back quickly.
That way you’ll build up your credit score and be able to get
cheaper APR in the future, making larger purchases then far
cheaper over the fullness of time. If you make a large purchase
at a high interest rate and can only pay back the minimum
payment each month, with interest charges you could be paying
as little as just one of half of a percent of the existing
balance each month.
Always keep you balance under control. It can be easy to let
your credit card spending run in excess of what you had
planned. If you have concerns that you might do so, ask the
lender to impose an easily manageable credit limit. That way
you won’t spend a dime more than you can afford. The worst time
to gain unmanageable balance is when interest rates are at their
highest. Do that and it can seem like a lifetime before you get
things back under control.
High-risk borrowers should always exercise extreme caution
before entering into any financial obligation. Before even
thinking about taking on any new financial obligation, consider
your budget and ask yourself how much – if anything – you can
afford. If you decide that you can, you should still be careful
about choosing the right deal.
However, if you can get a credit card that you can manage well,
the benefits are enormous. It will enable you to spread the cost
of larger purchases over manageable periods of time; you can
fill holes in your budget (that are so common in the run up to
pay day); and build up a credit history that will enable you to
get better APR on borrowings and allow you to borrow money for
larger items.
An auto loan or mortgage may seem a distant dream for many
Americans with poor credit histories, but everybody has to
start off somewhere. Get a credit card, manage it well, and
you’ll soon get to where you want.
About the Author: Max Hunter is the author of many credit
related articles. If you are looking for help with Home Loans
or any other type of credit issue please visit us at
http://www.creditcardunlimited.com
Source: http://www.isnare.com
By Max Hunter
Boosting Your Credit-Rating With A Well-Managed Credit Card
A considerable obstacle standing between many Americans and the
consumer goods they consider a necessary or desirable part of
life is a ready way to pay for them. From a new piece of
furniture to a car or even a house an age old problem stands in
their way: MONEY – or rather how to get hold of it.
A lucky few earn enough to never have to worry about this
problem. Many more consumers have lenders simply falling over
themselves with offers of credit. For a lot of people, however,
a poor credit history or a low credit rating stands as an
inexorable difference between living the life they want, and
looking with perpetual envy at their neighbor. Even relatively
low cost essentials, such as a vacuum cleaner or television
set, can be too expensive if a way of spreading the initial
cost is not available.
But it doesn’t have to be that way. Credit is available for
those with a lower credit scores, but better still: Borrowing
even relatively small amounts can be a great way for borrowers
with a "chequered past" to improve their credit rating. A
better credit score can lead to an array of greater awards in
the future, including better APR deals and larger credit lines.
If you have a poor credit rating and dreams of one day buying a
house, a credit card is the first logical step to pulling up
your record and getting a mortgage.
Making regular monthly payments to an agreed timescale on a
credit card is – short of scooping a massive inheritance from a
long lost millionaire aunt – one of the single best ways to
improve your credit score. So long as you don’t take on more
debt than you can afford, credit cars are ideal: payments are
reasonably sized and flexible, and if you budget properly can
be structured towards an ultimate payoff
Moreover, you have to be wise to how credit card companies
work. Credit cards are designed by financial institutions as a
way to keep you making minimum payments for years to come – and
enslaved to large interest payments from which they make many of
their profits. Borrow only what you can, and pay back the debt
as quickly as possible.
Of course, even when dealing with the very best lenders, trying
to secure credit card financing with a lower credit rating does
throw up some problems.
Financial institutions will usually insist on a higher interest
rate and sometimes may even ask for a guarantor. The interest
rate can be up to three times what a good credit borrower would
be offered, although in these days of low interest rates, that
need not be prohibitively expensive.
Always try and walk before you run. If you have a high interest
rate on your credit card, borrow sparingly and pay back quickly.
That way you’ll build up your credit score and be able to get
cheaper APR in the future, making larger purchases then far
cheaper over the fullness of time. If you make a large purchase
at a high interest rate and can only pay back the minimum
payment each month, with interest charges you could be paying
as little as just one of half of a percent of the existing
balance each month.
Always keep you balance under control. It can be easy to let
your credit card spending run in excess of what you had
planned. If you have concerns that you might do so, ask the
lender to impose an easily manageable credit limit. That way
you won’t spend a dime more than you can afford. The worst time
to gain unmanageable balance is when interest rates are at their
highest. Do that and it can seem like a lifetime before you get
things back under control.
High-risk borrowers should always exercise extreme caution
before entering into any financial obligation. Before even
thinking about taking on any new financial obligation, consider
your budget and ask yourself how much – if anything – you can
afford. If you decide that you can, you should still be careful
about choosing the right deal.
However, if you can get a credit card that you can manage well,
the benefits are enormous. It will enable you to spread the cost
of larger purchases over manageable periods of time; you can
fill holes in your budget (that are so common in the run up to
pay day); and build up a credit history that will enable you to
get better APR on borrowings and allow you to borrow money for
larger items.
An auto loan or mortgage may seem a distant dream for many
Americans with poor credit histories, but everybody has to
start off somewhere. Get a credit card, manage it well, and
you’ll soon get to where you want.
About the Author: Max Hunter is the author of many credit
related articles. If you are looking for help with Home Loans
or any other type of credit issue please visit us at
http://www.creditcardunlimited.com
Source: http://www.isnare.com
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Wireless Credit Card Machines
Taking Advantage of Online Offers Without Giving Up Your Credit Card Info
By Jeffrey Solochek
My wife works for the local BlockBuster video in town and they are supposed to get people to sign up for an online account but the problem is that a lot of people are afraid to sign up for these things because of fear of having to put their credit card info on the form. With the world coming online credit card fraud is on the increase. How are we able to take advantage of the savings from these online offers without having to give up our personal credit card information?
Whenever I sign up for anything that says it is going to deduct from a credit card I get one of those prepaid credit cards and only put enough on the card to take care of any online obligations. This way I don't have to worry about additional charges or somebody hacking into this companies computers and getting all my information. You would think that stores like Blockbuster Video would sell prepaid credit cards in their stores so that they could offer this option to customers thus increasing the number of online accounts they are taking every day.
Prepaid credit cards is a great way to eliminate the fear of online purchases.. Even when purchasing from a site like Ebay you can make use of these prepaid credit cards. I have very rarely found a site that won't accept the use of a prepaid card. The only card I have ever had refused was one of those prepaid American Express gift cards. My GreenDot card has never been turned down and they don't charge a transaction fee like a lot of cards do.
Another option would be to set up a small savings account at your local bank and get a Visa debit card. The only thing I don't like about these debit cards is it is very hard to ever dispute a transaction on them. A regular credit card will give you usually about 30 days to dispute a transaction whereas Discover card says they will give you 90 days and a friend of mine who has an American Express card says they will allow him to dispute a transaction for a year.
Now I did have a Discover card at one time and I used it to by some software. The software was defective so I disputed the transaction but all Discover Card cared about was that I had received the software. They stated that they did not care that the software did not work that if that were the case I should dispute it directly with the merchant.
Jeffrey has over 2 decades experience in the business world. When he writes he blends his unique wit and humour into every article which if you read his blog you can see all of his many works. http://www.nosugarcoating.info
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeffrey_Solochek
http://EzineArticles.com/?Taking-Advantage-of-Online-Offers-Without-Giving-Up-Your-Credit-Card-Info&id=493993
By Jeffrey Solochek
My wife works for the local BlockBuster video in town and they are supposed to get people to sign up for an online account but the problem is that a lot of people are afraid to sign up for these things because of fear of having to put their credit card info on the form. With the world coming online credit card fraud is on the increase. How are we able to take advantage of the savings from these online offers without having to give up our personal credit card information?
Whenever I sign up for anything that says it is going to deduct from a credit card I get one of those prepaid credit cards and only put enough on the card to take care of any online obligations. This way I don't have to worry about additional charges or somebody hacking into this companies computers and getting all my information. You would think that stores like Blockbuster Video would sell prepaid credit cards in their stores so that they could offer this option to customers thus increasing the number of online accounts they are taking every day.
Prepaid credit cards is a great way to eliminate the fear of online purchases.. Even when purchasing from a site like Ebay you can make use of these prepaid credit cards. I have very rarely found a site that won't accept the use of a prepaid card. The only card I have ever had refused was one of those prepaid American Express gift cards. My GreenDot card has never been turned down and they don't charge a transaction fee like a lot of cards do.
Another option would be to set up a small savings account at your local bank and get a Visa debit card. The only thing I don't like about these debit cards is it is very hard to ever dispute a transaction on them. A regular credit card will give you usually about 30 days to dispute a transaction whereas Discover card says they will give you 90 days and a friend of mine who has an American Express card says they will allow him to dispute a transaction for a year.
Now I did have a Discover card at one time and I used it to by some software. The software was defective so I disputed the transaction but all Discover Card cared about was that I had received the software. They stated that they did not care that the software did not work that if that were the case I should dispute it directly with the merchant.
Jeffrey has over 2 decades experience in the business world. When he writes he blends his unique wit and humour into every article which if you read his blog you can see all of his many works. http://www.nosugarcoating.info
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeffrey_Solochek
http://EzineArticles.com/?Taking-Advantage-of-Online-Offers-Without-Giving-Up-Your-Credit-Card-Info&id=493993
Friday, May 4, 2007
Wireless Credit Card Machines
Wireless credit card machines by Subhash Kumar
Wireless credit card machines
Wireless credit card machines are at the forefront of credit card processing technology. Many have built in pin pads and thermal printers to make them a complete mobile transaction solution. They are lightweight, very portable and are easy to use. * A wireless credit card machine comes with advanced technology but also with a much higher price tag when compared to standard POS terminals. The starting price on a wireless credit card machine is around $850.00 for full featured terminals and can go up from there.
* The comstar charge anywhere terminal has a much lower price, but does not include an attached printer. One of the benefits of wireless terminals is a feature called store and forward. This service allows cards to be processed when no cellular service is available, by storing the card and transaction information obtained in the swiping of the credit card. The merchant later completes the transaction when service is available. By using store and forward, a merchant will never have to turn down a sale.
* Most wireless terminals have built in pin pads , and are also able to operate with electronic check acceptance services. Due to federal regulations, both debit and electronic checks must be processed through a land line connection and cannot be processed wireless. This is due to the added security that is required when transactions involve a customer's bank account.
* Wireless credit card machines are most often used in mobile and trade show businesses, but are becoming more common in upscale restaurants, taxi, limo, and delivery services.
Wireless Processing Networks
Wireless credit card machines operate on wireless networks, and thus require additional wireless fee's for the cellular service. A wireless credit card machine can be used with a normal phone line if cellular service is not available within a particular area, or can be set up with a store and forward system when no telecommunication method is available at all.
Important Wireless Network Information
1. Mobitex Wireless Processing Network uses a satellite network, and operates similar to a cellular phone. This network is the standard for wireless processing. The mobitex network is run by Velocita Wireless. This is not the standard cellular phone network, but is designed specifically for business and processing uses.
2. CDPD Wireless Processing Network is similar to but pre-dates the Motient network is called CDPD. Machines that use the CDPD system will soon be useless on the wireless processing network because the CDPD system is being abandoned. It is important when purchasing a wireless terminal to ensure that the machine does not use the CDPD wireless network but uses the Motient or CDMA networks.
3. Wireless Network is very new for processing is the standard GSM and CDMA cellular phone networks. The GSM network is used by Cingular and T-Mobile. The CDMA network is used by Verizon and Sprint Wireless . These systems are the networks that most cellular phones operate on, allowing for a very large coverage area and reliable service. The coverage area is substantially larger than the Motient Network.
For more details Click here.
About the Author
None
Wireless credit card machines
Wireless credit card machines are at the forefront of credit card processing technology. Many have built in pin pads and thermal printers to make them a complete mobile transaction solution. They are lightweight, very portable and are easy to use. * A wireless credit card machine comes with advanced technology but also with a much higher price tag when compared to standard POS terminals. The starting price on a wireless credit card machine is around $850.00 for full featured terminals and can go up from there.
* The comstar charge anywhere terminal has a much lower price, but does not include an attached printer. One of the benefits of wireless terminals is a feature called store and forward. This service allows cards to be processed when no cellular service is available, by storing the card and transaction information obtained in the swiping of the credit card. The merchant later completes the transaction when service is available. By using store and forward, a merchant will never have to turn down a sale.
* Most wireless terminals have built in pin pads , and are also able to operate with electronic check acceptance services. Due to federal regulations, both debit and electronic checks must be processed through a land line connection and cannot be processed wireless. This is due to the added security that is required when transactions involve a customer's bank account.
* Wireless credit card machines are most often used in mobile and trade show businesses, but are becoming more common in upscale restaurants, taxi, limo, and delivery services.
Wireless Processing Networks
Wireless credit card machines operate on wireless networks, and thus require additional wireless fee's for the cellular service. A wireless credit card machine can be used with a normal phone line if cellular service is not available within a particular area, or can be set up with a store and forward system when no telecommunication method is available at all.
Important Wireless Network Information
1. Mobitex Wireless Processing Network uses a satellite network, and operates similar to a cellular phone. This network is the standard for wireless processing. The mobitex network is run by Velocita Wireless. This is not the standard cellular phone network, but is designed specifically for business and processing uses.
2. CDPD Wireless Processing Network is similar to but pre-dates the Motient network is called CDPD. Machines that use the CDPD system will soon be useless on the wireless processing network because the CDPD system is being abandoned. It is important when purchasing a wireless terminal to ensure that the machine does not use the CDPD wireless network but uses the Motient or CDMA networks.
3. Wireless Network is very new for processing is the standard GSM and CDMA cellular phone networks. The GSM network is used by Cingular and T-Mobile. The CDMA network is used by Verizon and Sprint Wireless . These systems are the networks that most cellular phones operate on, allowing for a very large coverage area and reliable service. The coverage area is substantially larger than the Motient Network.
For more details Click here.
About the Author
None
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Wireless Credit Card Machines
Wireless Communications - Your Computer Security Tip
By Syd Tash
I have repeated countless times never to shop online or give sensitive, personal information from a public computer. Not ever. No matter what security precautions you think you have taken. I stand by that advice.
But what if you are using your own laptop at a wireless hot spot? This is somewhat better, but there are still dangers. Follow these minimum steps:
1. Make sure all your security programs are up to date, including Windows (especially including Vista). You do have a full suite of security programs, right? If not, get them!
At a minimum, you should have an anti-virus program, a firewall, and two anti-spyware programs. A spyware blocker tool is also very useful, since it is always better to prevent a problem, rather than have to deal with it later.
A custom HOSTS file is good to have as well, since it will keep you away from known bad and dangerous sites, and help protect you from spyware. Do a search at a search engine for a good one.
If you have never used one before, it may seem complicated at first glance. It is not. Take the time to read and understand it.
It is a good idea to update and run all your security scans before going to the hot spot, so you know your laptop is clean to begin with.
2. Before giving sensitive info online, check that you are on a site that begins with https://... and you see a gold padlock on the lower right of your screen (upper right in IE7).
The s means secure and encrypted, although this is not foolproof. Criminal sites can be encrypted also, but this is rare.
When you want to go to the site of your bank, PayPal, broker, utility company, credit card company, etc. you must type the address in your browser yourself. Do not simply click on a link in an email; you could end up at a phishing (fake) site. Do not even copy and paste an address from an email. For that matter, email is not secure at all, so never send sensitive information in an email.
3. Disable file sharing, so no one can peek into your shared folders. Click Start, Control Panel, Network Connections. Right-click your connection and click Properties.
Select the Networking tab and clear the checkbox marked File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks. Click OK and restart your computer.
4. Change your passwords every month or two. Use a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters, if you can.
Do not use anything that can easily be guessed, such as your favorite restaurant, nearby college, the name of your dog, your name, birth date, street where you live, etc. Do not use the same password for all your sites.
5. Finally, here are some low-tech but important tips. Watch behind and around you! Before entering IDs or passwords, look around and make sure no one is watching you.
Check your bank and credit card statements carefully, as soon as they arrive. If anything looks wrong or unusual, contact the company immediately.
Restrict the number of people who use your laptop at home and at the office. The more people who use it, the less control you have over it, and the greater the chance that something bad will happen.
Give other users limited or guest accounts. This will restrict their activities on your machine, and prevent them from downloading anything. To set up additional accounts, click Start, Control Panel, User Accounts.
If you often connect at wireless hot spots, print out this article, and slip it into your laptop carrying case. Review it regularly. Happy (and safe!) surfing.
Syd Tash is a noted computer security consultant and author of How to Protect Your Computer from Daily Internet Threats. He has been keeping surfers safe since the last century. Find more popular free Daily Tips and info right here: => http://mypcsecuritysite.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Syd_Tash
http://EzineArticles.com/?Wireless-Communications---Your-Computer-Security-Tip&id=505028
By Syd Tash
I have repeated countless times never to shop online or give sensitive, personal information from a public computer. Not ever. No matter what security precautions you think you have taken. I stand by that advice.
But what if you are using your own laptop at a wireless hot spot? This is somewhat better, but there are still dangers. Follow these minimum steps:
1. Make sure all your security programs are up to date, including Windows (especially including Vista). You do have a full suite of security programs, right? If not, get them!
At a minimum, you should have an anti-virus program, a firewall, and two anti-spyware programs. A spyware blocker tool is also very useful, since it is always better to prevent a problem, rather than have to deal with it later.
A custom HOSTS file is good to have as well, since it will keep you away from known bad and dangerous sites, and help protect you from spyware. Do a search at a search engine for a good one.
If you have never used one before, it may seem complicated at first glance. It is not. Take the time to read and understand it.
It is a good idea to update and run all your security scans before going to the hot spot, so you know your laptop is clean to begin with.
2. Before giving sensitive info online, check that you are on a site that begins with https://... and you see a gold padlock on the lower right of your screen (upper right in IE7).
The s means secure and encrypted, although this is not foolproof. Criminal sites can be encrypted also, but this is rare.
When you want to go to the site of your bank, PayPal, broker, utility company, credit card company, etc. you must type the address in your browser yourself. Do not simply click on a link in an email; you could end up at a phishing (fake) site. Do not even copy and paste an address from an email. For that matter, email is not secure at all, so never send sensitive information in an email.
3. Disable file sharing, so no one can peek into your shared folders. Click Start, Control Panel, Network Connections. Right-click your connection and click Properties.
Select the Networking tab and clear the checkbox marked File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks. Click OK and restart your computer.
4. Change your passwords every month or two. Use a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters, if you can.
Do not use anything that can easily be guessed, such as your favorite restaurant, nearby college, the name of your dog, your name, birth date, street where you live, etc. Do not use the same password for all your sites.
5. Finally, here are some low-tech but important tips. Watch behind and around you! Before entering IDs or passwords, look around and make sure no one is watching you.
Check your bank and credit card statements carefully, as soon as they arrive. If anything looks wrong or unusual, contact the company immediately.
Restrict the number of people who use your laptop at home and at the office. The more people who use it, the less control you have over it, and the greater the chance that something bad will happen.
Give other users limited or guest accounts. This will restrict their activities on your machine, and prevent them from downloading anything. To set up additional accounts, click Start, Control Panel, User Accounts.
If you often connect at wireless hot spots, print out this article, and slip it into your laptop carrying case. Review it regularly. Happy (and safe!) surfing.
Syd Tash is a noted computer security consultant and author of How to Protect Your Computer from Daily Internet Threats. He has been keeping surfers safe since the last century. Find more popular free Daily Tips and info right here: => http://mypcsecuritysite.com
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