When you make an online purchase you should in fact be on a HTTPS site not HTTP - note the extra S on the first one. That is a secure site.

Now we cannot overlook the fact that very clever crooks break into banks and government sites so there is no way we should be wandering about with puffed up chests thinking we are immune, haha.

I don't worry about it either way, just curious...but you didn't answer my question. LOL

Maybe I should have asked do you have to store your CC number on the PC for a hacker to get it or will making an online purchase make it assessable to a hacker?

You're not storing it on your PC. It's being stored on the server. If the vendor is careless with data, your credit card information could be stolen, but what people lose sight of is that when credit card information is stolen, if the vendor has a brick and mortar presence, the information from those credit card transactions are stolen as well.

If you don't worry about and/or check to make sure that it's using https, then your credit card information can also be stolen en route, since it's transmitting in plain text.

I know it can be stolen but not by a hacker off of my computer. I have to look for the post where I read that a hacker could get it off the PC along with other personal info. I feel if you don't put personal stuff like your passwords and bank numbers on the computer, they can't do you any financial harm.

The article may have been about malware including keyloggers. If your computer is infected with a keylogger any information you transmit from your computer can be stolen.

Actually, I thought of a way you could be storing some information on your computer. If you use the browser's facility to store usernames and passwords, and you store them for sensitive sites, I think they're stored in plain text.

Firefox also has an "autocomplete" feature that could store things like credit card numbers.

Bob is correct. The issue you are expressing concern about is keyloggers. They piggyback unto a user's system normally on some trite item for example free smiley faces or free fonts. Once embedded they can note and transmit any key stroke a user makes.

As far as credit card safety:

I have had my Chase Visas hijacked three times. This will be old news to longtime members, I have two Chase Visa accounts, not cards but rather accounts. I carry one account in my wallet, and the other is used only on the Internet and never leaves the house. Three years ago both were hijacked within 10 days. Fortunately everything was cleaned up in ten days.

Just several months ago the one in my wallet was hijacked. I hadn't used it in months. This time Chase contacted me and the issue was resolved in four days.

Based on the both circumstances and the readiness of Chase to resolve in a timely manner without question, I believe Chase got cracked by hackers both times.

So if I am correct, if card issuers can't protect themselves how are we suppose to?

Finally, it is my regular recommendation never to store specific financial information on a user's system. No account numbers, user names or passwords. The little time it takes to type this information in pays off in much added security.

DA

Thank you that is what I wanted to know. I occasionally buy on line and only by from well known companies, but guess that is not as safe as I thought it was.

Sorry I didn't get back sooner. I had an appointment with the doc about my arm. Got good news, the brace came off and I start therapy Mon. I go 3 times a week for a month, then maybe my life will be normal again, dull and boring but without pain and maybe I can type again without looking at the keyboard.

SG,

Get well soon.

DA

Thanks Dave, boy am I glad that's over, what a nightmare.

Someone twist your arm to try to get your credit card info,,, ?

I was reading this post & then did a search on my computer for keyloggers..
I found these:

Keyloggers.sbi is part of Spybot Search & Destroy anti-spyware software.

no mikie, fell and got a spiral fracture for my clumsiness.