Do you feel comfortable buying products over the Internet? Should you? Probably.

If you feel comfortable tossing your credit card to a waiter in a restaurant (he could copy down your number)...or giving out your credit card number over the phone (people with a scanner can intercept your analog calls), you should be comfortable making purchases over the Internet.

Every year, more and more people are using the Internet to shop. That's because every year more and more people are discovering that shopping on the Internet is fast, easy and safe.

Unlike most stores, the Internet is open 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. You can shop at your convenience, from your home or office.

Purchases made over the Internet are usually cheaper, even when you factor in the cost of shipping. (The online stores have a much lower overhead and businesses want to create incentives for new Internet consumers.)

Shipping is easy...next day delivery is usually available. Immediate delivery is available for software...just download your purchase directly into your computer.

Most online businesses have the same "return policies" as regular stores. Some reputable online merchants that you can be comfortable with include:

Computer and Software: Circuit City PC Connection
Books: Amazon..com
Home and Garden: Crate and Barrel

Or try Citibank's list of merchants in a mall setting. This format provides easy access to many different merchants. Citibank has a system called Citiwallet that allows for protection of your credit card numbers during online shopping with most of the merchants found in their listing.

Typically the experience goes something like this:

• You go to the Web site where you plan on making the purchase. You browse, just as if you were in a store, then you find what you are looking for.
• You click on a "link" indicating that you wish to purchase the product.
• You are then transferred to a "secure server." All the information that is transmitted, from this point on, is encrypted (scrambled).
• You will be asked for your name and address...and the address you wish the purchase to be shipped (this could be a gift for someone else!)
• You will be asked for your credit card number.
• You will be given several different shipping options.
• You will be given an opportunity to cancel your order...or proceed with it.  

It's just that easy! The company will notify you by email when the product was shipped and when you should expect to receive it.

You should take the following precautions before you by anything over the Internet:

• Shop with companies you are already familiar with.
• Make sure the companies Web site includes a real street address and phone number.
• Credit card information should only be transmitted on "secure servers."