StarSoft Information Technologies http://blogs.starsoft-it.com News, Articles, and Opinions Mon, 06 Aug 2007 21:10:55 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.5 en Computer Security for Teens at Home http://blogs.starsoft-it.com/computers/computer-security/2007/08/06/computer-security-for-teens-at-home/ http://blogs.starsoft-it.com/computers/computer-security/2007/08/06/computer-security-for-teens-at-home/#comments Mon, 06 Aug 2007 21:05:10 +0000 blogadmin Computer Security http://blogs.starsoft-it.com/computers/computer-security/2007/08/06/computer-security-for-teens-at-home/ We live in a world that is increasingly dependent upon computers and the Internet in order to achieve even the most modest of tasks that once would have taken a drive to the library. This drive to the library could have taken anywhere from a matter of minutes and a cursory glance through the card catalog or hours spent sifting through dusty shelves and outdated collections of books in order to find relevant information to the topic being researched.

Unfortunately, the clear advantages of the information age, such as ready access to information twenty four hours a day seven days a week with just the click of a few keys is also proving to be a logistical nightmare when it comes to safeguarding the security of homes and businesses around the world. There is so much information floating around in cyberspace and we unwittingly contribute even more information each and every time we enter a phone number, address, or bank account number into our computers. The problem is that we often need to enter these things in order to get the information or merchandise we require from our computers.

To safeguard your children from Internet predators and material that simply isn’t appropriate for their viewing needs enable parental controls on the computer. Your children may protest but a few hours of their complaints is well worth the peace of mind you have knowing that nothing should be getting through that you don’t want them to view. This will result in some uproarious moments as favorite websites may be tagged for ridiculous reasons you’ll have to take those on a case-by-case basis and decide whether or not you want to allow your children access to these sites that are often tagged with no real reason or inappropriateness. No system is perfect but doing nothing would be far worse.

Another thing you should do in order to more closely monitor their Internet activity is keep the computer in a centralized area in the home rather than allowing them to bring computers into the privacy of their bedrooms where they are unobserved. You should also keep in mind that even the best and brightest among us are quite likely to be outshone by our children when it comes to computer savvy. Do not trust that minimal efforts will net the big results you are hoping to achieve.

Discuss proper online safety procedures with your children, especially your teens. Remind them of these things on a regular basis and drill it into them. Safety is the most important thing when having discussions online, in chat rooms, or even in weblogs and websites. It is amazing how much information is accidentally given away through conversations that would never have been given away if direct questions had been asked in order to get that information.

For this reason it is even more important that you stress the urgency of secrecy on the Internet. Team names, practice times, school names, and sports participation should be kept to a minimum on the Internet as all of these things can be used in order to isolate and identify your teen. Photos should also be limited in all honesty, particularly those in cheerleading or ball team uniforms that can easily be used to identify location as well as those that include car tags and other relevant information that is identifying in nature. While this may seem harsh to your teen it is much better to be harsh with them than go through the heartache and uncertainty of a missing teen or worse because of Internet predators.

The safety of your teen is the most important thing you can protect on your home computer and if you do not make him or her aware of the risks he or she will not take those risks seriously. Part of home security is protecting your family members from themselves as much as it is to protect them from the world outside.

Matthew S. Vesperman
StarSoft Information Technologies
Products As Seen On TV
My Online Shop
My Free Articles
Viralized.com
 

]]> http://blogs.starsoft-it.com/computers/computer-security/2007/08/06/computer-security-for-teens-at-home/feed/ The Benefits of Creating a Camping Checklist for Yourself http://blogs.starsoft-it.com/camping/2007/08/06/the-benefits-of-creating-a-camping-checklist-for-yourself/ http://blogs.starsoft-it.com/camping/2007/08/06/the-benefits-of-creating-a-camping-checklist-for-yourself/#comments Mon, 06 Aug 2007 21:00:39 +0000 blogadmin Camping http://blogs.starsoft-it.com/camping/2007/08/06/the-benefits-of-creating-a-camping-checklist-for-yourself/ Have you recently made reservations at a campground park to go camping?

Whether you are camping with friends, family members, or your romantic partner, preparation is important.  Have you already started preparing for your trip, in terms of packing the supplies that you will need or the food that you would like to bring along with you?  If you have yet to do so, you may want to take the time to create a camping checklist for yourself, as there are a number of benefits to doing so.

Before examining the many benefits of creating a camping checklist for yourself, you may want to take the time to familiarize yourself with what a camping checklist can include. In all honesty, a camping checklist can include just about anything that you want.  Most people use camping checklists to ensure that they bring enough food and clothes with them, as well as the right camping equipment.  You can also use your camping checklist to make a list of each of the activities that you would like to participate in while on your camping trip. As previously stated, the options are unlimited when creating a camping checklist for yourself.

As for the benefits of creating a camping checklist for yourself, the biggest benefit of doing so is that a camping checklist helps to ensure that you do not leave anything behind.  You should know that this happens quite often, in fact, you may have forgotten to bring something important along with you on one of your previous trips.  A camping checklist, especially one that is made in advance, can help to make sure that you bring enough food, drinks, snacks, clothing, and other important camping equipment, like your tents or sleeping bags.

Another one of the many benefits to creating a camping checklist for yourself is that it is easy to do.  In fact, when it comes to creating a camping checklist, you will find that you have a number of different options.  One of those options involves making your own camping checklist from scratch.  You can sit down and make a list of everything that you would like to bring, as well as everything that you need to bring on your next camping trip.  Once your checklist has been compiled, you will want to try and keep that camping checklist in a handy location, like on your refrigerator.  This is ideal as you can easily add any other additional items that you can think of to your camping list later on.

In addition to making your own camping checklist from scratch, you can also find camping checklists online.  These online camping checklists should be free and easy to print. What you will want to do though is be sure to add your own information or anything else that you can think of.  Most of the online camping checklists that you will find are generalized ones; therefore, you should add your own personal touch. To find online camping checklist templates, to use or even to just get suggestions, you will want to perform a standard internet search.

If you are interested in making a camping checklist for yourself or even just adding on to an online checklist that you printed off, you may want to sit back and envision your next camping trip.  What do you see yourself doing, eating, or wearing?  This may help to ensure that your checklist is complete and filled with everything that you need and want.  Also, since you will likely not be camping alone, you may want to have your family or your romantic partner add their own wants and needs to your camping checklist as well. This will help to ensure that everyone has a pleasant camping trip.

As outlined above, there are a number of benefits to creating a camping checklist for your next camping trip. With a camping checklist being relatively easy to create, why not at least give it a try? 

Matthew S. Vesperman
StarSoft Information Technologies
Hunting and Camping Supplies
Products As Seen On TV
My Online Shop

]]> http://blogs.starsoft-it.com/camping/2007/08/06/the-benefits-of-creating-a-camping-checklist-for-yourself/feed/ Tips for Planning a Camping Trip with Young Children http://blogs.starsoft-it.com/camping/2007/08/06/tips-for-planning-a-camping-trip-with-young-children/ http://blogs.starsoft-it.com/camping/2007/08/06/tips-for-planning-a-camping-trip-with-young-children/#comments Mon, 06 Aug 2007 20:57:12 +0000 blogadmin Camping http://blogs.starsoft-it.com/camping/2007/08/06/tips-for-planning-a-camping-trip-with-young-children/ Are you a parent? If you are, do you and your family enjoy camping? As fun and exciting as camping can be, it can be a little bit frustrating or stressful when you go camping with young children. With that in mind, there are a number of steps that you can take to ensure that your next camping trip, namely one with your young children, goes off without any problems.

One of the first things that you can do, when planning a camping trip with young children, is keep your children in mind. While this may seem like common sense, it is important to do. For starters, you will want to examine where you will be camping. This includes the campground park that you choose to visit, as well as which camping spot you choose. Since younger children can easily get bored, you will want to choose a campground park that gives you access to an unlimited number of activities, such as one that has a lake, swimming pool, playground, tennis courts, or hiking trails.

As previously stated, it is also important that you carefully choose which site you and your family would like to camp at, in the campground park. This is important for a number of different reasons. It may be a good idea to choose a camping site that is located close to any playgrounds or bathrooms. It may also be a good idea to stay away from camping sites that are close to swimming pools, lakes, ponds, or hiking trails, especially if you have small children. Keeping them away for potential dangers may help to allow you to sleep better at night, as well as help you enjoy yourself more.

Another one of the many ways that you can make your next camping trip with young children enjoyable is by letting your children help you plan some of your camping activities. For instance, your toddler or elementary school aged child may have a number of activities that they like to do, like playing soccer. Let them choose a few of your camping activities. This will help to keep them excited about your next camping trip, as they still get to do many of the things that they love. It is also important to mention that your child will likely be proud of the fact that they got to help you plan your next family vacation.

In keeping with letting your child help you plan your next camping vacation, you may also want to let your child choose some of the foods, snacks, and drinks that you bring along with you on your next camping adventure. In fact, you may even want to let them go shopping with you. Once again, this will create a proud feeling for your child. It will also prevent that “I don’t want to eat that,” speech that many children often give their parents when they are unable to help plan their meals or pick out their own foods.

The above mentioned tips are tips that you may find helpful, when looking to plan a camping trip with young children. Although it may sound a little bit hard to plan a camping trip with young children, once you are on the campground, it is likely that everyone, including your child or children, will have a blast.

Matthew S. Vesperman
StarSoft Information Technologies
Hunting and Camping Supplies
Products As Seen On TV
My Online Shop

]]> http://blogs.starsoft-it.com/camping/2007/08/06/tips-for-planning-a-camping-trip-with-young-children/feed/ Securing Your Computer System http://blogs.starsoft-it.com/computers/computer-security/2007/07/21/securing-your-computer-system/ http://blogs.starsoft-it.com/computers/computer-security/2007/07/21/securing-your-computer-system/#comments Sat, 21 Jul 2007 13:11:43 +0000 blogadmin Computer Security http://blogs.starsoft-it.com/computers/computer-security/2007/07/21/securing-your-computer-system/ Today, more and more people are using their computers for everything from communication to online banking and investing to shopping. As we do these things on a more regular basis, we open ourselves up to potential hackers, attackers and crackers. While some may be looking to phish your personal information and identity for resale, others simply just want to use your computer as a platform from which to attack other unknowing targets. Below are a few easy, cost-effective steps you can take to make your computer more secure.

  1. Always make backups of important information and store in a safe place separate from your computer.
  2. Update and patch your operating system, web browser and software frequently. If you have a Windows operating system, start by going to http://www.windowsupdate.microsfot.com/ and running the update wizard. This program will help you find the latest patches for your Windows computer. Also go to http://www.officeupdate.microsoft.com/ to locate possible patches for your Office programs.
  3. Install a firewall. Without a good firewall, viruses, worms, Trojans, malware and adware can all easily access your computer from the Internet. Consideration should be given to the benefits and differences between hardware and software based firewall programs.
  4. Review your browser and email settings for optimum security. Why should you do this? Active-X and JavaScript are often used by hackers to plant malicious programs into your computers. While cookies are relatively harmless in terms of security concerns, they do still track your movements on the Internet to build a profile of you. At a minimum set your security setting for the internet zone? to High, and your trusted sites zone? to Medium Low.
  5. Install antivirus software and set for automatic updates so that you receive the most current versions.
  6. Do not open unknown email attachments. It is simply not enough that you may recognize the address from which it originates because many viruses can spread from a familiar address.
  7. Do not run programs from unknown origins. Also, do not send these types of programs to friends and coworkers because they contain funny or amusing stories or jokes. They may contain a Trojans horse waiting to infect a computer.
  8. Disable hidden filename extensions. By default, the Windows operating system is set to hide file extensions for known file types?. Disable this option so that file extensions display in Windows. Some file extensions will, by default, continue to remain hidden, but you are more likely to see any unusual file extensions that do not belong.
     
  9. Turn off your computer and disconnect from the network when not using the computer. A hacker can not attack your computer when you are disconnected from the network or the computer is off.
  10. Consider making a boot disk on a floppy disk in case your computer is damaged or compromised by a malicious program. Obviously, you need to take this step before you experience a hostile breach of your system.

Matthew S. Vesperman
StarSoft Information Technologies
Products As Seen On TV
My Online Shop
My Free Articles
Viralized.com

 

]]> http://blogs.starsoft-it.com/computers/computer-security/2007/07/21/securing-your-computer-system/feed/ Grow Your Business- Get Viral! http://blogs.starsoft-it.com/internet-marketing/2007/07/20/grow-your-business-get-viral/ http://blogs.starsoft-it.com/internet-marketing/2007/07/20/grow-your-business-get-viral/#comments Fri, 20 Jul 2007 18:02:27 +0000 blogadmin Internet Marketing http://blogs.starsoft-it.com/internet-marketing/2007/07/20/grow-your-business-get-viral/ When speaking about viral in relation to computers, you would normally mean those nasty little programs that destroy information on your computer and pass from user to user.  As such, it is a word dreaded by all computer owners, especially myself as I know from experience how difficult a major infection can be to deal with. However, whenever I speak of viral marketing, it is not what it seems and I certainly don’t mean using a computer virus to spread news about your business.

Think about how a virus spreads from one person to another. One person gets sick and through contact with other people they spread the virus to these people.  In turn, those people then also spread the virus further.  What is the next step after this? The answer of course, is an epidemic.  That is the very concept of viral marketing, to create an epidemic of demand for your business. The idea is to get everyone to spread your marketing message around because they want to. When I create Viral marketing material I do it with media or content that you will want to pass on! If you like the content and find it or entertaining or useful or maybe you feel compelled, you will pass it on to your friends and family. It could be an e-book on some subject that I know would be useful to you or perhaps even a video- the ideas are simply endless! However, you can also use viral marketing techniques in your business.

I have put together a viral marketing system that will explode your business! Take a look at my website and the tools I have put together! Why don’t you let me know what you think?

Matthew S. Vesperman

StarSoft Information Technologies

Products As Seen On TV

My Online Shop

My Free Articles
Viralized.com

]]> http://blogs.starsoft-it.com/internet-marketing/2007/07/20/grow-your-business-get-viral/feed/ A Great Idea For a Blogging Web Site is No Longer Enough http://blogs.starsoft-it.com/blogging/2007/07/12/a-great-idea-for-a-blogging-web-site-is-no-longer-enough/ http://blogs.starsoft-it.com/blogging/2007/07/12/a-great-idea-for-a-blogging-web-site-is-no-longer-enough/#comments Fri, 13 Jul 2007 03:26:35 +0000 blogadmin Blogging http://blogs.starsoft-it.com/blogging/2007/07/12/a-great-idea-for-a-blogging-web-site-is-no-longer-enough/ A Great Idea For a Blogging Web Site is No Longer Enough

Because there are so many blogs and web sites about blogs on the internet, it can be tough to distinguish your blogging web site from all of the others. Whether you are starting up a new web site aimed at bloggers or whether you are looking to make your existing blogging site more distinctive, the key to building and maintaining a site that will capture the interest and attention of the blogging community is finding your niche. If you can fill a unique need in a way that no other web site does, you’ll be able to build a lasting readership among web surfers. Once you have discovered a niche, you will still have a lot to do, but finding your place in the blogosphere is the place to begin.

Every great blogging web site starts with a great idea, and you can’t build a successful site that will last without one. There are many great sites aimed at today’s bloggers, and competition for the attention of this growing demographic is fierce. To make your blogging web site stand out from the pack, you will need to offer something that no other site is currently offering, or you will need to do the same thing that an already popular site does but in a more impressive or valuable way.

One way to discover an ideal model for your blogging web site is to look at the sites that have successfully captured a blogging audience already to determine if you can appropriate some of their strategies to help realize your vision. Of course, you will also need to add a unique flair to your project in order to stand apart from your competition. Many people agree that the web sites that do the best in today’s market are the sites that have the most personality. The fiercely individual surfers who are bloggers are a demographic that responds especially strongly to personality, so consider how you can give your site a unique and attractive feeling by lending your own voice and sensibility to your site’s design and content.

Once you have a great idea for your site, have pinpointed a special niche that you are well equipped to fill, and have infused the site with personality, the next step is figuring out how to get the word out to bloggers. In the long run, a great idea just isn’t enough to propel your blogging web site to success. You will need to draft a smart and realistic marketing plan in order to draw readers to your site. Once you hook a blogger, your great content will keep them coming back, but it is vital to get that first glance or your site won’t have a chance to shine.

Matthew S. Vesperman
StarSoft Information Technologies
Products As Seen On TV
My Online Shop
My Free Articles

]]> http://blogs.starsoft-it.com/blogging/2007/07/12/a-great-idea-for-a-blogging-web-site-is-no-longer-enough/feed/ Protecting Your Personal Information http://blogs.starsoft-it.com/online-shopping/credit-cards/2007/07/12/protecting-your-personal-information/ http://blogs.starsoft-it.com/online-shopping/credit-cards/2007/07/12/protecting-your-personal-information/#comments Fri, 13 Jul 2007 02:10:21 +0000 blogadmin Credit Cards http://blogs.starsoft-it.com/online-shopping/credit-cards/2007/07/12/protecting-your-personal-information/ Protecting Your Personal Information

We all know that criminals are out there, waiting to steal our credit card information. These very criminals want credit card information so they can run up the charges then leave you holding the bags - with nothing to show for it. Even though some are local, most credit card criminals are in far away lands. Worse than that, they like to hide or go by other names so it’s virtually impossible to track them down. The most common way for criminals to get credit card information is through phishing, which involves a fake email that appears to be sent from your credit card company. Normally, this fake email states that there was an error with your account, or that it was accessed by unauthorized personnel and needs your attention.

Spotting fake emails isn’t hard to do - as long as you know what to look for. The most obvious hint for most, is the fact that they don’t even have a credit card from the company that has sent the email. For others, the link is what gives the fake email away. Anytime you get an email from a credit card that you believe to be fake, you should always hover your mouse over the link, then “right click” the link with the mouse and select “view source”. If the link is indeed fake, the website address that comes up will be something other than that of a credit card company.

The criminals don’t want you to look at the source for their website, as they simply want you to click on the link before you look at anything else. Once you have clicked on the link, you’ll arrive at a website that is usually an exact copy of a credit card website. Fake sites normally include everything that the actual site does, including the logos and banners. Even for the most amateur of credit card criminals, web pages like this are very easy to create.

Those of you who have fell victim to this scam, probably realized what you have done little too late. Once you have entered in your credit card information, you have done exactly what the criminals wanted and put yourself in violation of credit card fraud and identity theft. Once the criminal has your social security number and credit card information, he is more than likely to use that information to go on a shopping spree - stealing your money and running up your account.

If you receive an email such as this, you should always delete it. Even if you just click on the fake website to investigate, you may do more harm than good. Even though you may not enter any information at all, your computer may get infected with viruses or spyware simply because you clicked on the link. To avoid this altogether, you should never click on a link that you believe to be a fake credit card company website.

If you do your part and protect your credit card information, you won’t have anything at all to worry about. Your personal information is very important, as you never want it to fall in the wrong hands. As long as you protect it, you won’t have anything to worry about. There are always criminals out there, which is why you should always be on guard. Criminals want your personal information and your credit card numbers - it’s up to you to ensure that they don’t get it. A criminal will do anything to get what they want, which is why protecting yourself is so very important these days.

 

Matthew S. Vesperman

StarSoft Information Technologies

Products As Seen On TV

My Online Shop

 

 

 

]]> http://blogs.starsoft-it.com/online-shopping/credit-cards/2007/07/12/protecting-your-personal-information/feed/ Blogging 101 http://blogs.starsoft-it.com/blogging/2007/07/11/blogging-101/ http://blogs.starsoft-it.com/blogging/2007/07/11/blogging-101/#comments Wed, 11 Jul 2007 15:41:38 +0000 blogadmin Blogging http://blogs.starsoft-it.com/blogging/2007/07/11/blogging-101/ Blogging 101

Blogging 101 is mostly about the blogging vocabulary. To understand blogs, you need to know the terms blog, platform, domain, and web host. Once you have mastered these key elements of blogging, you can enter any conversation about blogging with confidence. After you know what exactly a blog is, you will be on your way to passing the final exam of blogging 101. Blog is short for weblog, which simply means a series of online posts presented in reverse chronological order. That’s all! Most blogs are text, but there are also photo blogs and video blogs. The rest of blogging 101 has to do with the technical side of things. If you are setting up a blog, you will need a platform, a web host, and a domain. A blogging platform is a computer software program that allows you to write posts and to update your blog. Your platform is also what you use to design the look of your blog, from color scheme to font size. The web host is sort of like the virtual file cabinet where your blog is stored. Your computer communicates with the host when you upload or edit a post. The domain is the online address of your blog, and usually ends in ‘dot com’. Now that you know what a blog is, what a platform is, and what domains and hosts are, congratulate yourself!

You have passed blogging 101.

Matthew S. Vesperman

StarSoft Information Technologies

Products As Seen On TV

My Online Shop

 

 

 

]]> http://blogs.starsoft-it.com/blogging/2007/07/11/blogging-101/feed/ Using Computers - It’s Not Rocket Science http://blogs.starsoft-it.com/computers/2007/07/11/using-computers-its-not-rocket-science/ http://blogs.starsoft-it.com/computers/2007/07/11/using-computers-its-not-rocket-science/#comments Wed, 11 Jul 2007 15:16:37 +0000 blogadmin Computers http://blogs.starsoft-it.com/computers/2007/07/11/using-computers-its-not-rocket-science/ Using Computers - It’s Not Rocket Science

These days it’s strange to hear people say, “I’m just not computer literate,” as computers have evolved from archaic scientific calculators to simple point-and-click type machines. We suspect that today’s “computer illiterates” are people who haven’t taken the time to experiment with such a machine. And we strongly believe that spending just twenty minutes with one could turn the most adamant technological caveman into any one of those who have fun wreaking chatroom havoc on the Internet today. Today, one only needs to learn how to manipulate a mouse, punch a few buttons on a keyboard, or really just turn the thing on to use a computer. It’s hard for some folks to believe, but the computers of this generation almost run themselves! For fun, let’s investigate just how little knowledge these thousand-dollar machines actually require.

Can an absolute newbie operate a computer without knowing how to use a mouse or keyboard? Assuming that a computer is set up to operate on voice command - sure! Voice command software allows users to tell a computer what to do and the computer responds by fulfilling the user’s commands. Although it’s pretty new and still under development, voice directed technology has already infiltrated consumer service related systems.

Think back to the last time that you paid a bill over the phone. Instead of speaking to a human being, chances are that you spoke to a computer that not only responded to what you said and followed the commands that you gave it, it also asked you for more information such as your full name or credit card number. In this case, a person (such as yourself) operated a computer without even knowing it!

Can an absolute newbie sit down at a computer without knowing how to use one? Assuming that a computer is set up to operate on touch command - the answer is again, yes! Touch command software allows users to literally touch objects on a monitor and tell the computer what to do with a finger. Known as “kiosks,” these programs are already in use world wide at ATM machines, employment centers, and in health monitoring systems.

Neither a mouse nor a keyboard is required. A computer user only needs to touch various boxes on a screen to control a computer. Sure, the programming behind such technology is extensive and advanced, but to the end user, it makes computer use less intimidating and plain easy.

Of course when we talk about operating a computer, we envision more involvement than speaking on the phone or touching things on a screen. The above illustrations were just a couple of examples of how far computer technology has grown, and how far we’ve pushed “user-friendliness” to its limit. Eventually, the keyboard and mouse will have to play a role when computer newbies have to work with one as a cash register, as a hotel booking program, or as a library’s catalog system.

These requirements don’t make computers any less easier to operate, but they don’t make them that much harder either. So much of today’s software is designed to accommodate the experience of a new user that anyone could get connected to the Internet, send an email message, and download an MP3 file within the first five hours of purchasing a personal PC.

 

Matthew S. Vesperman

StarSoft Information Technologies

Products As Seen On TV

My Online Shop

 

 

 

]]> http://blogs.starsoft-it.com/computers/2007/07/11/using-computers-its-not-rocket-science/feed/ Is Online Shopping Secure? http://blogs.starsoft-it.com/online-shopping/2007/07/10/is-online-shopping-secure/ http://blogs.starsoft-it.com/online-shopping/2007/07/10/is-online-shopping-secure/#comments Tue, 10 Jul 2007 12:32:53 +0000 blogadmin Online Shopping http://blogs.starsoft-it.com/online-shopping/2007/07/10/is-online-shopping-secure/ Is Online Shopping Secure?

Whether or not online shopping is secure is one question which gets asked over and over again by those who are considering making a purchase online. Unfortunately there is no simple answer to this question which will apply to all online shopping situations. However, there is a list of questions which online shoppers can ask to assist them in determining whether or not it is safe to purchase the item they are seeking online. A few of these questions deal with the online retailer’s reputation, the security of the server and the return policy offered on the items. This article will discuss some of these questions in an effort to help readers make informed decisions regarding online shopping.

Is the Online Retailer Reputable?

Determining whether or not an online retailer is reputable should be the first step shoppers take before deciding whether or not to make a purchase online from a particular online retailer. This is important because shoppers are much more likely to be satisfied with purchased from a reputable breeder than they are to be satisfied when the purchase is made from an online retailer with a less than favorable reputation. There are a few methods shoppers can use to verify the reputation of the online retailer. Consulting the Better Business Bureau is just one of these methods which can be very beneficial to the shopper. Here the shopper can find information regarding previous complaints against the online retailer and can use this information to determine whether or not the retailer has a reputation for dealing fairly with customers. Online retailers who have been in business for a few years and do not have any complaints against them or have very few complaints against them can generally be trusted while shoppers should be wary of consumers who have many unresolved complaints against them or who have only been in business for a short period of time.Is the Server Secure?

The security of the server used to complete the online purchase should also be questioned by online shoppers. This is a valid concern because identity theft can cause a tremendous amount of problems for the shopper. However, there is a very simple way in which an online shopper can determine whether or not the website is secure. Whenever submitting sensitive data such as credit card information the shopper should carefully examine the web address. A secure website will have a prefix of https:// while an unsecured website will have a prefix of http://. If the website is not secure the online shopper should consider making the purchase by calling customer service instead of submitting the information via the unsecured website where it can be vulnerable to being intercepted.

What is the Return Policy?

Carefully reviewing the return policy of an online retailer can also give the shopper a good indication of whether or not the seller is reputable. In general the return policies offered by online retailers should be very similar in nature to the return policies offered by traditional retailers with the exception of special provisions for handling the shipping of the product back to the retailer. Return policies which are unusually restrictive should be considered suspect by the shopper and may indicate a need for the shopper to do some additional research before deciding whether or not to patronize a particular online retailer.

 

Matthew S. Vesperman
StarSoft Information Technologies
Products As Seen On TV
My Online Shop

]]> http://blogs.starsoft-it.com/online-shopping/2007/07/10/is-online-shopping-secure/feed/