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ShoppingForGifts.com is a solely owned
subsidiary of A.S. Radin & Associates
Contact Us
SFG is a gift and shopping related
search engine developed in 2001 to provide a clear and easy path to
finding the appropriate stores that match your needs. WE ARE NOT A
MERCHANT - rather a provider of the best links to satisfy your
shopping needs. We offer a state of the art search engine through
our relationship with Google™
and our wildly popular MERCHANT
BILLBOARDS with advertisements and links to the best of the best
online merchants.
Learn more
about how we find merchants and the 5 step test all merchants have
to pass before being placed in our search engine and directory.
IS ONLINE SHOPPING
SAFE AND HOW DO I IDENTIFY WHO IS LEGITIMATE
First it is important
that we define security. In laymen's terms, a properly secured site
"encrypts" data as it is being transferred. In theory, this means
the information is transferred into security coding then decoded by
the host. Is it fail proof? No, but neither is any other form of
data transfer like ATM's, faxes, and credit report inquiries.
When you are shopping
online it is first important that you determine if an order is going
to be processed with a secure method of data transfer. Second it is
important that the web site clearly outlines their "Security and
Privacy" policy. Lastly, and I emphasize this point, the site should
clearly reflect their location, phone number, and email address.
Thus, when you are
shopping on a site, I recommend the following steps in the order as
I have placed them.
Even before
shopping, attempt to locate their contact information. If you do not
find a location, phone number, and email address, then move on to a
new web site. Don't mistake a P.O. Box as an address!
If the contact
information is found, then look for a "Privacy" or "Security and
Privacy" statement. If found, take a couple of minutes to read it
and make sure you can live with its terms. If not you will find that
your personal information may be shared or sold…legally. If you
can't find such a statement or you don't agree with the terms of
said statement, then move on to a new web site.
If all the above
is satisfactory, move on; shop and begin placing your order. By the
time it comes to enter any personal information, you need to make
sure the page is secure. How? There are a few ways. Some browsers
may show you the security information as you enter. If not, the
address on the address bar should start with https:// not http://.
Lastly, the page should show an icon (a gold padlock) that reflects
a secure page. If you find this icon, take thirty seconds to click
on it. A window will open showing the secure certificate
information. Make sure the certificate is still active. If the site
is not secure or the certificate is not active, then move on to
another web site.
Now, many have told
me that they would never shop online. It is not safe. Well, if a
site is not secure then, no. It is not safe. But if a site is
properly secured, then shopping online is safer than shopping in the
mall or eating n a restaurant. Why do you ask? Think about it. You
are in a department store and pay for your new sweater with you VISA
card. You sign the slip and off you go. Similarly, you pay for
dinner with you MASTER card. Your hard copy stays behind, usually in
an unsecured area for hours. Where is the security? Any employee or
passerby could get your information.
Now consider the
processing online. Your information is coded and received by someone
who has a vested interest in the store you shopped in. Basically,
the information is sealed and only accessible by one or two people.
Thus, shopping online
through a properly secured site is safer than conventional means.
In conclusion, I wish
to express my hope that you follow my steps toward security. It is
not something to take a chance on. Shopping online is very safe if
you understand what you are doing. Let's face it; there are hundreds
of sites looking to rip you off if you do not know what you are
doing. There are millions of sites that wish nothing more than to
make your online shopping experience a successful one. Know the
difference.
A.S. Radin &
Associates
1167 Union Road West Seneca NY 14224
716 667-2684 II Toll Free 1 866
319-6752
Scott Radin, Owner
scott@shoppingforgifts.com
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