Santa Claus may take online orders this year, but the Grinches will also be on the Internet. Holiday shopping online is expected to reach new peaks this year, and with the surge comes concern over the safety of transactions, according to technology services company EDS and the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), both of which have issued guidelines for Web shoppers.U.S. shoppers are expected to buy about 25 percent of their holiday goods online this year, with a typical shopper spending nearly US$800, according to the National Retail Federation. But various vendors and consumer groups have issued warnings for online shoppers because a likelihood of fraud accompanies the increase of buying online. Internet-related fraud cost an estimated $340 million last year, the FTC said.EDS and the FTC cautioned that online shoppers should: Know your retailer. Stick with reputable businesses with contact numbers and physical addresses. Some websites display seals that vouch for their security, but these can also be faked. Use secure websites. Sites that use encryption to protect data should display “https://” rather than “http://” in the address bar. Secure sites should also display a padlock symbol to show that the website has a secure, encrypted connection. EDS advises against sending a retailer more information than they need to complete a purchase. Be aware of phishing e-mail. Most people have received fraudulent e-mail asking for personal information. Never send information and never click on links in such e-mails, which are likely to be directed to look-alike websites designed to harvest identity and financial details. It’s safe to type a website address into a browser. Reputable businesses do not ask for information through e-mails. Review privacy and security policies. Most companies will tell you what information they collect and how they use it. Also, foreign websites may be bound by different laws for how they can handle your personal information. Use antivirus and firewall software. Check your credit report and credit card balances regularly.The FTC website has a page devoted to holiday shopping tips, including those for online shoppers. Related content BrandPost What’s next for network operations Broadcom: 2023 Tech Trends That Transform IT By Serge Lucio, Vice President and General Manager, Agile Operations Division Mar 20, 2023 8 mins IT Leadership Networking BrandPost Digital transformation obstacles: Stubborn challenges, what to do about them Value Stream Management is an increasingly essential approach to strategic transformation initiatives. To help teams more fully capitalize on the opportunities it presents, Broadcom is holding its third annual VSM Summit. By Marla Schimke, Head of Product and Growth Marketing, Broadcom's Enterprise Software Division Mar 20, 2023 3 mins Devops Software Development Feature CEO directives: Top 5 initiatives for IT leaders As organizations change course with economic gyrations, collaboration between IT and business becomes priority No. 1 for CEOs. By Stacy Collett Mar 20, 2023 7 mins IT Leadership Feature Topgolf Callaway tees up digital transformation for global expansion As Topgolf Callaway Brands transitions from focusing on manufacturing golf equipment to integrating its apparel and technology acquisitions, digital transformation is helping drive its future. By Thor Olavsrud Mar 20, 2023 6 mins Digital Transformation Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe