Secure Online Shopping 101 - September 2002
By Kelly Embleton

Are you still hesitant about ordering products online? Afraid that the site is not secure and your credit card number is not safe? Don't worry any longer. Check out these tips and advice about secure online shopping.

Only Buy From Secure Sites
Make sure that you only shop from secure sites. Secure sites use encryption to unscramble your credit card information so no one else except the sender and receiver can read it. When using your credit card online you are protected in the same ways if you were ordering with your card at a store, by mail or a call-in order over the phone. A few ways of knowing if a site is secure is if the site has an unbroken key or lock image, a URL that begins with https:// and the words "Secure Socket Layer" (SSL). It is also a good idea to print out your order confirmation screen or e-mail, these records are just like receipts. You may also want to call or e-mail the merchant to confirm your order.

Look For Privacy Statements and Information
Before ordering from a secure site, find out what information the site gathers, how the information is used and if it is shared with any other parties. Reliable online merchants always make this information easily available by posting their privacy policy which outlines what they will and won't do with information gathered on their site from their customers and so on. You should read the privacy policy to insure that you are aware of this important factor before ordering

Order From Online Merchants You Know
Shopping and ordering from companies you already know brings comfort to your online shopping experience. Find out information about new companies by finding out where they are located, reading their guarantees, warranties, return policies and more. Don't hesitate to give them a call or drop an e-mail to make sure they are a legitimate company.

Don't Give Out Your SIN
If the online store asks for your Social Insurance Number (SIN), don't give it out. The site does not need this information for online orders. If you provide your SIN you can find yourself in a lot of trouble.

Minimum Answers On Online Forms
When purchasing items online you usually have to fill out an online form. Some forms may ask you your age, income, and similar information. Don't fill these fields in. In most cases there will be an asterisks* next to the required fields (name, e-mail, etc), only fill these fields in.

Shopping online offers a lot of advantages. It is easier and faster then going to the shopping mall. If you still don't feel comfortable ordering with your credit card, most online merchants will provide you with other ordering options such as FAXing, e-mailing, phoning or mailing your order to them.

Resources

• Artists on the Net is a showcase for the entertainment, theatrical and music industries. The site features a fully searchable database of actors, entertainers and more. The site will deal with artists worldwide and in every language. Visit Artists on the Net at www.artistsonthenet.com.

• Are you looking for a new Internet browser? If so, then check out Mozilla 1.0 at www.mozilla.org. The long-awaited release of Mozilla version 1.0 has many features not found in most browsers. One feature that many surfers will find they can't live without is the ability to disable unrequested pop-up windows on Web sites. Mozilla also lets you open multiple browser windows and display multiple Web pages in a single tabbed window at the same time.

• MusiciansRegistry.com is your gateway to the world of musicians. This site has a searchable database of musicians, a searchable event and concert calendar, a spotlight section for select musicians, a resource guide and more. Stop by and check out this site at www.musiciansregistry.com.

• For information about Canadian Music Week 2003 happening on February 27 - March 1, 2003 at the Toronto Westin Harbour Castle Hotel & Convention Centre, visit www.cmw.net. The CMW Web site features information about the festival, venues, trade show and conferences, sponsors, media, hotel and travel, awards and much more. Check it out today!

• BookLiveMusic.com is a free resource enabling you to learn about, easily find and contact professional musicians, bands and ensembles throughout the United States and Canada. Visit www.booklivemusic.com to learn tips and print a checklist to make hiring a musician, band or ensemble easy, to get advice on planning and booking live music, to find an entertainer and much more.

• Propellerhead Software, the Swedish company behind acclaimed products such as Reason, Recycle! and Rebirth announced the opening of the Reason Song Archive on the Propellerheads' Web site at www.propellerheads.se. The Reason Song Archive is an online community where Reason users can publish songs for others to download. Users can share songs but also receive feedback from their peers.

• Omnimedia has a new site located at www.omnimedia.ca. It features information about this Canadian product distributor, online news and detailed product information. Drop by today.

• Music Books Plus is your best source on the Net for music and audio books, videos, CD-ROMs, DVDs, audio cassettes, software, posters, sound effects and apparel. Music Books Plus offers over 5000 titles on the areas of: Music Business, Instrument Instruction, Audio & Video Production, Recording, Lighting and much more. To add to that, they also have new titles regularly, monthly specials, free monthly e-newsletters, free downloadable updates and flyers. Stop by today at www.musicbooksplus.com.