SECURE SHOPPING

Safe shopping is important to everyone and we have gone to great lengths to make sure your details remain safe. When you start the order process you can be sure that every step of the way is secure.

We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions below, which you may find useful. If you have any concerns about the security of our site, or if you have any further queries, please contact Customer Services.

How Secure are You?

As soon as you enter the order process, the information that is transferred between you and us is encrypted using powerful encryption algorithms. Your details are safer with Internet shopping that with traditional mail or phone shopping.

How can I tell if the web site is a secure one?

It is easy to determine if your connection is secure: on your browser you will notice a picture of a small padlock - this normally appears right at the bottom of the screen. Sometimes this padlock will not appear, even though you are secure - to double check this, you can right click on the page and select 'properties' or 'view frame info' from the list which will tell you whether you are secure or not. Also look out for the sign of a secure web page, which can be identified by the URL (the web site address). A standard page will begin with 'http://'. A secure web page will begin with the URL 'https://' denoting that the merchant is using a secure server for the transaction of data.

How does Encryption work?

All credit card details are encrypted using GlobalSign SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) Software. When you establish a secure connection, the downloaded web site sends a digital certificate to your web browser. When the certificate arrives, it contains a public key, which functions as a one-way encryption device. The browser then uses this key to scramble your personal data (Credit Card Information) before sending it over the Internet. Information encrypted with the public key cannot be decrypted without the corresponding private key, which only the merchant has. Without this exclusive, private key, your personal information cannot be read.

What else can I do to ensure my details remain safe?

The second way to ensure you have a secure connection is to look for either the GlobalSign logo or RSA Data Security logo and only purchase from merchants you know and trust. Here again, the digital certificate is important. In addition to encrypting the data you send over the Internet, the certificate can be used to confirm and authenticate the identity of a web site's owner (in this case, the merchant). Because digital certificates act as electronic signatures they cannot be forged, you can be certain the connection is secure if either RSA DATA SECURITY INC. or GlobalSign Inc has issued the certificate.

Who are GlobalSign?

GlobalSign, Inc. is a leading provider of digital authentication services and products for electronic commerce and other forms of secure communications. For more information on GlobalSign please visit their web site at http://www.globalsign.co.uk.