e need to be aware of it.

It's important to be alert but there's no need to panic. The Internet is probably one of the safest places to do business because there is usually very little, if any, human intervention. A credit card is charged, a

If 299,999 planes land safely that's not news. It takes just one to crash and that becomes news around the world and flying is seen as unsafe. Over 100 countries are at peace but the few that are fighting wars make the news. Understandably, a newscaster is not likely to think it's a lead story to say, "Well, everything went well today. People went to work, returned home, showered, ate and slept. They are expected to get up next morning and do the same thing." Media has become entertainment. We need to give the people information to excite them or at least to pull at their heartstrings.

The same happens with the Internet. As I watched the news last night, I saw a story about some attempt to defraud clients of a bank online. So some quack decided to "try a thing." He/she of course got international media attention. The $8 billion that was spent safely on the Internet over the Christmas holidays, however, didn't get the same kind of attention. So there is a news bias and we need to be aware of it.

It's important to be alert but there's no need to panic. The Internet is probably one of the safest places to do business because there is usually very little, if any, human intervention. A credit card is charged, a

caster is not likely to think it's a lead story to say, "Well, everything went well today. People went to work, returned home, showered, ate and slept. They are expected to get up next morning and do the same thing." Media has become entertainment. We need to give the people information to excite them or at least to pull at their heartstrings.

The same happens with the Internet. As I watched the news last night, I saw a story about some attempt to defraud clients of a bank online. So some quack decided to "try a thing." He/she of course got international media attention. The $8 billion that was spent safely on the Internet over the Christmas holidays, however, didn't get the same kind of attention. So there is a news bias and we need to be aware of it.

It's important to be alert but there's no need to panic. The Internet is probably one of the safest places to do business because there is usually very little, if any, human intervention. A credit card is charged, a

We need to give the people information to excite them or at least to pull at their heartstrings.

The same happens with the Internet. As I watched the news last night, I saw a story about some attempt to defraud clients of a bank online. So some quack decided to "try a thing." He/she of course got international media attention. The $8 billion that was spent safely on the Internet over the Christmas holidays, however, didn't get the same kind of attention. So there is a news bias and we need to be aware of it.

It's important to be alert but there's no need to panic. The Internet is probably one of the safest places to do business because there is usually very little, if any, human intervention. A credit card is charged, a

some quack decided to "try a thing." He/she of course got international media attention. The $8 billion that was spent safely on the Internet over the Christmas holidays, however, didn't get the same kind of attention. So there is a news bias and we need to be aware of it.

It's important to be alert but there's no need to panic. The Internet is probably one of the safest places to do business because there is usually very little, if any, human intervention. A credit card is charged, a

e need to be aware of it.

It's important to be alert but there's no need to panic. The Internet is probably one of the safest places to do business because there is usually very little, if any, human intervention. A credit card is charged, a secure server sends the money to a bank account and the seller in most cases never even sees the number. You can tempt a man but you can't tempt a computer. It would just do what it is programmed to do. This, of course, means that computers can be programmed to do fraud. This is why it's important to be on the look out and make sure you're not the one out of 300,000.

Here are the basics to keep in mind when shopping online:

Look for the "https:" which is also known as the Security Certificate (SSL).

Search for reviews on the company. Do your homework.

If there's a phone number on the website, call to check if there are real people at the other end.

Don't buy from any merchant who tries to hide his/her identity.

Keep a print record of your transaction.

Report any fraudulent activity to the relevant authorities of the country from which you bought right away.

Beware of businesses from countries with weak fraud laws. Again, re