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| Athena, dread goddess of warfare and wisdom, wields the great shield of encryption technology against low-born computer hackers that would foolishly defy her. |
IS IT SAFE** TO GIVE MY CREDIT CARD ON THE INTERNET?
The answer is yes**, so long as you enter your card on a secure page.
A secure page resides on a secure server (internet computer) that uses encryption technology. This means that when your credit card number travels from your computer screen to the credit card processing company and banks, the number is encrypted or hidden in secret code.
You can always tell whether the page you are on is secure or not. At the bottom of your page you will see either a little key or padlock. If the key is broken or the padlock is open, the page is not secure. If the key is whole or the padlock is closed, you are on a secure page on a secure server and your credit card number will be encrypted.
**By 'safe' I mean that the process is as safe as can be given the technology. Conceivably, someone could break into the secret code and steal your credit card. But the history of the internet shows that it's so hard to do that, and the chances of getting caught are so great, that it just doesn't happen often. Giving your credit card on a secure web page is probably as safe or safer than giving it to a waiter at a restaurant.
Never give your credit card on a web page that is not secure. Always look for the padlock or key before you type in your credit card. Never give your credit card on an email, because most email is so insecure that it is basically public knowledge.