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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Xyanthon" data-source="post: 3395032" data-attributes="member: 9181">Well, if that's the case, a firewall or router really isn't going to protect that data.  You have to be more concerned about the encryption that sites such as Amazon and Newegg offer.  Firewalls and routers do not encrpt data.  Think of them like traffic cops.  they just say what data can pass and where it can go to.  Most larger and reputable web commerce sites such as Amazon and Newegg have a secure area of their web site that essentially creates an ecrypted data link between you and them.  You should be able to tell if you are in a secure session in two ways.  The url will be https instaed of http and there should be a closed lock icon in the lower right corner of your browser.  If you click on the lock, it should bring up information about the security certificate issued to the site.  For instance, if you go to Amazon and go to your account info, notice how the http in the address bar changes to https.  Also notice that the lock icon appears in the lower right corner.  If you click on the lock icon, it should bring up the  certificate window.  This should tell you who the certificate is registered to.  In this case it would be <a href="http://www.amazon.com" target="_blank">www.amazon.com</a>.  If it is issued to anyone else, this very well could be a false front and an attempt to get your private info.  Usually this only occurs in the form of a phishing scam.  Here's a link that describes phishing:  <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phishing" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phishing</a>.So in a nutshell, what does all of this mean?  Mostly that you are relying on sites such as Amazon and other online retailers to provide a secure environment for you to shop in.  Nowdays, many online retailers are fairly secure.  I feel pretty confident that Amazon, online banks, and other major sources of sensitive consumer info take security very seriously.  But ultimately it's up to you.  Do you feel secure with someone else safeguarding your data?  Here's some safe computing practices that may or may not help you:  <a href="http://www.washington.edu/computing/security/practices.html" target="_blank">http://www.washington.edu/computing/security/practices.html</a> <a href="http://www.westminstercollege.edu/support/index.cfm?parent=1144&detail=5626" target="_blank">http://www.westminstercollege.edu/support/index.cfm?parent=1144&detail=5626</a><a href="http://www.scotiabank.com/cda/content/0,,CID7765_LIDen,00.html" target="_blank">http://www.scotiabank.com/cda/content/0,,CID7765_LIDen,00.html</a>Hope that help some.</blockquote>

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