Cyber Monday shopping tips

Cyber Monday, a term coined by the National Retail Federation in 2005 to describe the Monday after the Thanksgiving holiday, is the ceremonial kickoff for the online retail season. If you plan on clicking and saving today, the Attorney General’s Office strongly suggests that you only shop on company sites that you know and trust.

The American Bar Association created a useful Web site called Safeshopping.org that explains how to check if your site is secure and private, compares payment options and provides suggestions to determine if a seller is legitimate.

When shopping online, follow these tips:
1. Use a credit card that offers you “charge back” protection in case of a problem. When possible, couple that with a third-party payment service such as PayPal for privacy.
2. Ask about delivery, return policies and warranties before you pay.
3. Look for the signs of a secured Web site -- “https” in the Web address and a little yellow padlock in the browser bar.
4. Study consumer feedback sections to learn about other buyers' experiences.

Check out our site, www.webwisewashington.com, for tips on making sure your computer is adequately protected against hackers and viruses.

By the way, you can browse bargains at cybermonday.com.