We've been working online for a few years now and hopefully know our way around the web. Following is a our thoughts about online privacy and security plus a few tips & tricks that we've learned and that we'd like to share. There is also a link to a site that will check your browser for spyware plug ins. Please contact us if you have any good tips that you think would add to this page.

Protecting Your Privacy & Security Online
...basic info and a few tips & tricks

While the majority of online companies are professional and reputable there are unfortunately a few sharks (and a lot of spammers) in the water. The trick is to know how to recognise the difference between a site with integrity and one that's just there to gather your e-mail address or credit card details. If you know what to look for the dodgy web sites are easy to spot.

Protecting Your Personal Data Online
...did we say we hate spam?

The last thing you want to happen is after entering your details somewhere on the web is to have a million spam advertisements appear in your in box. Avoid this by taking a few simple precautions when entering personal data on any site.

First check the sites privacy policy, it should be easy to find and clearly written. Basically it should state that they will keep your data secure and not pass it to anyone else without your consent (they may have to pass it to the hotel or travel agent but that's all). It should also state that they won't contact you about anything else except the current transaction unless you want them to.

You may want to use an alternate e-mail address to your main personal or work account. I have a Yahoo! account that I use when in doubt, it gets lots of spam but Yahoo! mail has good spam filters. This also makes sense if you're going on holiday as you can use a web based account to keep in contact with friends and family while away from home.

Most Web Sites Use Cookies Of The Digital Variety
...what are they, and why are they used?

Few technologies are as misunderstood or maligned as cookies, they are simple text files that web servers can access to store and retrieve information in your web browser. Being JavaScript files they are restricted to your browser and cannot access the rest of your computer or execute any nasty tricks. (Unlike some other script files developed by a certain large software company that we won't name)

Cookies are pieces of information that a web page transfers to your hard disk for record-keeping purposes. Cookies can make the Web more useful by storing information about your preferences on a particular site. The use of cookies is an industry standard and many sites use them to provide useful features. Cookies in and of themselves do not personally identify you, only your computer.

Cookies do not give away your personal information or access information on your computer. The only personal information a site's cookie can gather is any that you enter on the web site and it can only be used by that site. Pages from other web sites cannot access the information.

You can choose to accept or decline cookies, they are not forced. Depending on your browser settings when you first come to a site that requires cookies you may be prompted to accept or decline. If you check the "Do not ask again" box you can forever accept or decline, or go on a case to case basis.

You can choose your own level of cookie filtering in the Internet Options or Preferences menus. Personally I set my browser to "Accept All Cookies" as I'm not concerned about Javascript, it's the VB scripts that worry me.

Secure Online Credit Card Transactions
...SSL is the safest way

Despite all the panic stories in the media using your credit card online with a secure server is safer than giving the details to a human over the phone. (Statistically the most dangerous thing you can do is give your card to a waiter or shop assistant). What the media usually fails to mention is that even for online credit card scams the card details are usually collected offline.

Online credit card transactions are often much riskier for the merchant than the customer due to the charge back policies of the major credit card companies which encourage fraudulent charge backs. This is the reason why major retailers such as Amazon.com refuse to ship many products outside the US or Europe. Fortunately fraudulent charge backs are not a major problem in the travel and tourism industries due to the nature of the product.

In any case by following the simple procedures below you can check that the site in question is who they say they are and that their server is using an encrypted sockets layer to transfer information. By checking these details first you can be confident that your credit card won't be abused.

Security tips for online payments

• Check that the secure page symbol is showing at the bottom right of your browser window when entering personal or credit card information. You should see the gold padlock above in Internet Explorer and a gold key when using Netscape Navigator.
• Check that the payee's site has a security certificate and that it is valid. You can check the validity by clicking on the "verified by" image.

Internet Explorer Parasite Check

Parasite (also known as spyware or scumware) plug ins are becoming a problem for Internet Explorer users. They serve up unwanted advertising, invade your online privacy, compromise your computers security and may cause your system to become unstable. Parasite plug ins are usually installed without your knowledge when you install other software, (usually freeware).

The following link will open a new window and run a JavaScript parasite check on your Internet browser. If any currently known parasites are found you will given a link to further information and removal instructions.This script was written by Andrew Clover <and@doxdesk.com» and we thank him for it.
...check Internet Explorer for parasites [new window]

Anti-Spam

We hate spam and spammers, (even their own mothers probably hate them) spam mail bots should follow this link to collect lots of fake e-mail addresses. We hope that they choke the spam mail program and that all the bounced messages alert the spammer's ISP. Please don't follow this link unless you want to see a lot of fake e-mail addresses.

Random Privacy & Security Tips

If sending your credit card information via e-mail split your credit card details between 2 separate messages. If one message is intercepted there won't be enough information to complete a transaction.

Got any good online privacy and security tips, anything to add to this page? Send your security tips to us and we'll add them to this page.