As a Buyer, I don't mind using PayPal since Seller/Recipient of the money pays their fees. So as a consumer, it is safer and easier than using your debit or CC.
But I am with Scarmig when it comes to using PayPal to receive money, I wouldn't want to use them ever again.
A few times I sold stuff on eBay and by the time eBay fees and PayPal fees were deducted, I almost ended up owing money!
JerseyGirl, since you do a lot of online shopping, make sure your system is clean. Run multiple online scanners on top of the ones you might have installed (but of course temporarily disable any active ones if you are going to use another scanner online or otherwise).
Protection should be your highest concern/priority. Keeping your system is always a lot easier and better than disinfecting it!
Make sure the browser you are using is up-to-date and configured in a secure manner. If the browser itself doesn't have a phishing filter integrated, get one of the freely available ones:
Free Anti-Phishing software, Download phishing freeware
Get
BrowserDefender add-on (available for Firefox and IE) which warns you of websites that are known to contain malicious software.
Install
Spybot Search and Destroy and use its IE blocker and Immunize features for additional protection. Immunize works with IE, Firefox and Opera.
Download and install
SpywareBlaster. Similar to Spybot's Immunize feature, this program doesn't run in the backgound, it simply injects known malicious web addresses/domains in the Zones list in registry. It also works with Firefox. This program also warns/corrects about any issues it sees with your browser's security settings.
Remember legit or not, never ever click a link in an e-mail or on some third party web site to log in to your bank's or credit card company's web site. Open your browser and type in the URL manually. If you have already done that in the past then you could save it in the favorites/bookmarks list as well.
If you are using Internet Explorer, go to Tools > Internet Options > Advanced tab. Scroll all the way down to this setting:
"
Do not save encrypted pages to disk" and check it.
By checking this option, the secure sites you visit do not save their decrypted secure files to your computer where a Trojan or a hacker can read that info and use it to hack into your accounts, etc.
It might also be wise to check the option that reads:
"
Empty Temporary Internet Files folder when browser is closed"
But if you are using a temp file cleaner like
CCleaner or
ATF-Cleaner then it is not necessary. After each sessions make sure to delete cookies and temp internet files. CCleaner has a nice feature where you can specify which cookies you would like the program to keep so when it deletes the cookies, those cookies for sites you frequent do not get deleted: CCleaner > Options > Cookies
Before you click on a link, move your cursor over the link and in the status bar of your browser (left bottom corner), it should show you where that particular link is actually pointing at. Read the link and make sure it makes sense, if the link shows or starts with an IP address, it'd be an automatic red flag!
Mostly phishing sites use IP address to disguise themselves.
These are some of the things that come to my mind at the moment that could make your online shopping a tad safer...
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