Host:		Hello and welcome to today's webchat offering advice on how to stay safe online. Garreth from PayPal is here and ready to take your questions.
Garreth Griffith:		Garreth: Hi everyone. I'm really looking forward to our chat. I hope I can help out.
Jeff Meades:		Each time I am asked for my card number expiry date etc and also the security number on the back I get very nervous because this is all anyone needs?? I have always said this is OK because goods are sent to the card holders address but I'm not 100% happy with this now? What more can I do ?
Garreth Griffith:		Before you make any payments online, there are a few simple rules to follow: - use reasonable judgment to make sure that the website is genuine and safe. For example look for the padlock symbol in the browser and make sure the URL starts with ‘https’. - Be aware of the protections that would be in place to cover you, should anything go wrong If you are concerned about sharing your financial details online you’ll be pleased to know that PayPal does not share this information with anyone, including the websites you buy from.
Sarah:		Is it safe to store details on sites like Amazon - details like address, payment details etc - to make shopping faster next time.
Garreth Griffith:		I think its a case of using your reasonable judgement. As you would do when you are on the high street - do you know the brand, the company? As always have the latest security software installed, and set to automatic update.
sarah andrews:		I get a lot of emails that claim to be from PayPal, how do we know when it's a genuine one?
Garreth Griffith:		PayPal emails will always address you by name (not by ‘Dear member / PayPal user’ etc), we will never ask you for any personal details, and will never include a link directly to the log-in page. If you receive an email from PayPal asking you to verify some information, or to take action about your account, we recommend you open a new browser window and go to the PayPal website directly. If you have any doubt at all, you can forward the email to spoof@paypal.co.uk and we will let you know quickly whether it is genuine.
Joseph B:		I read an interesting story from moneysupermarket.com on people hijacking your wi-fi and leaving you with hefty bills for exceeding download limits. How can i protect my wireless router from strangers?
Garreth Griffith:		You need to set your wi-fi security settings to the maximum. Check your router instructions on how to set to maximum security. At the very least, set up a password.
Helen:		I'm using several anti-virus and spyware products across two pcs - some say that the pcs are completely clean, others find - varying amounts - of viruses and other vulnerabilities. How do I know which to believe, and how worried should I be about this? (Kaspersky - full commercial version, AVG, Malwarebytes rarely find antything; Stopzilla frequently does...). ???
Garreth Griffith:		This may reflect how regularly you update your anti-virus software and which version you have. Always set your software to automatically update, check the settings because you may have your software set to look for absolutely everything on one PC, but not on the other; be aware of what each program is designed to look for.
Joseph B:		I read a story from moneysupermarket.com recently saying that over a fifth of Brits use the same password for all their online accounts. I fall into that category, how do I avoid that and remeber several different passwords?
Garreth Griffith:		We would definitely advise you not to use the same passwords for all sites. Make sure your passwords are strong ones. What I find easiest is to create a memorable phrase relevant to the website, for example if you were on a shoes site, your password could be 'I love red shoes' ! And don't use personal details in the password. And finally, dont use 'password' as your password!
Paul Hayward:		Why don't the credit and debit card providers give their customers the real time devise which changes every 20 seconds or so, the numbers you put in as either the card number or password during online transactions. that way you never have the same number twice. I started using one about 5 years ago for my laptop password when I accessed my civil service email account remotely.
Garreth Griffith:		This is about striking a balance between convenience and security. You’re referring to something called second factor authentication which requires you to provide something you know (password etc) and something you have (the code which the device will generate). All major bank and card providers do have a whole host of anti-fraud measures behind the scenes as additional security. Many are also moving to offering additional measures of second factor security, for example PayPal offers a security key either as a fob or text message as this extra layer of security. You can find out more at www.paypal.co.uk/securitykey
phil:		why should we pay for fraud protection. shouldn't the onus be on the product providers just as it is with retail products?
Garreth Griffith:		All banks and most retailers are doing a lot of the protection for you at no extra charge. There is a lot of good free antispy and antivirus softwares out there - but many of us like the assurance that comes from investing in your security. Personally, I think the extra cost is good value for money to give me extra peace of mind.
Mikefire:		am i reasonably safe with my"apple mac" from scams etc?
Garreth Griffith:		Yes it’s true that for many years Macs have been reassuringly free of a lot of the viruses that have been aimed at PCs. But fraudsters are always looking for new targets and there have been viruses aimed at the Mac, so we strongly recommend that Mac users look into anti-virus software for their computers.
Dave:		what's your password?
Garreth Griffith:		Nice try, Dave! :)
Nicolas Hopkins:		Has anyone ever really been caught out by the Nigerian email scam?
Garreth Griffith:		Yes people have been caught out, and continue to be caught out. The Nigerian email scam has evolved and can be almost plausable. Always use reasonable judgement, if something sounds too good to be true, it almost always is.
peter jones:		Hi there, I actually use my real name as my email for my paypal account. Should I use a fake email name for the account when buyers are putting money into the account, or should i use a fake email address name? Kind regards
Garreth Griffith:		It’s fine to use your real name for your email address, but do make sure you follow the usual anti-phishing rules. For more about how to protect yourself against phishing, please go to www.paypal.co.uk/safetyadvice
E lipz:		Will paypal be available on my phone for mobile payments? I already do a bit of m-commerce and would like to know whether a smartphone investment (to run paypal amongst other things) is a good idea.
Garreth Griffith:		PayPal has been a pioneer for mobile payments, eg. the PayPal app is very popular on th eiPhone, as well as our Blackberry application and on Google's Android phones. We see this as a growing market as people do far more on their mobile phones.
Bev:		Dodgy e-mails were sent from my son's e-mail address to everyone in his address book. How could this happen and is it enough for him to just change his password?
Garreth Griffith:		Unfortunately it sounds like your son must either have clicked into a phishing email or has a virus on his computer, so I’d recommend that you get it checked out by an expert or run anti-virus software. After that has been done he should change his password.
Richard:		Is it safe to leave my broadband connected permanently - with AVG virus check and Ad-Aware + Soybot working - or should I disconnect while away from the PC
Garreth Griffith:		The good news Richard is that you’re obviously taking measures to keep safe online. The other point is to make sure that your protection software is updating automatically. Personally, I log off when I’m not using broadband, but then I’m a cautious guy!
Andrzej:		We are all getting lots of phishing e-mails claiming to be from banks, Paypal etc. It could be easily avoided if institutions such as Paypal would use digital signatures... Why don't you use them?
Garreth Griffith:		We do digitally sign all our emails. A lot of the challenge is to make sure they can be digitally read. The tide is changing and people are digitally signing their emails and ISPs are becoming able to read them. PayPal has been doing it for years. In addition, always follow the other advice surrounding phishing to keep you safe against phishing activities, including setting your email spam filters.
Voucher Vulture:		I use a lot of cashback and voucher sites to bring the cost of online purchases down. I'm slightly concerned whether having started a transaction off on say a chasback site, whether that then exposes my paypal or CC detaails at the end of the transaction. I would also liek to see Paypal offering some sort of voucher directory for its members to put teh savings and the sale together. You'd eclipse the competition if you did...
Garreth Griffith:		PayPal doesn't share your financial details with anyone. You might want to take look at paypal-offers.co.uk. There are some well known and very reputable sites out there. But our usual advice applies using reasonable judgement, and if the offer appears too good to be true....
Phisherman Fred:		I set up a PayPal account years ago. Have only used it once. Can't remember my password but keep seeing PP as a payment option on various online stores. I have never suffered online fraud, I doubt I will, but if you can convince me that its quicker to shop with PP rather than having to get my card out everytime to type in the number you will have a convert on your hands!
Garreth Griffith:		PayPal is definitely quicker because you don’t have to key in all your card details every single time, which also has the additional benefit that you’re not sharing your details either.
Open MARKet:		OK Gareth - Paypal, Google Checkout or Credit Cards direct - which and why?
Garreth Griffith:		I can only speak for PayPal, we are very widely accepted in 165,000 websites in Europe alone. We do not share your financial information with the websites you shop on.
E Sander:		You can chargeback a credit card if the transaction falls over but how do you reverse paypal payments and do you ever "get involved"?
Garreth Griffith:		PayPal has buyer and seller protection programmes which you can learn more about www.paypal.co.uk/safetyadvice. We do have an online disputer resolution process and ' get involved' if buyer and seller are unable to resolve the issue.
Heather Threadgould:		Why have my credit card details been stolen when I have bought Kaspersky security? Also why do you think I keep getting fraudalent emails?
Garreth Griffith:		It will depend on your specific situation, but you should check that you have the software set to automatically update and that you have the latest browsers, for example Internet Explorer 8, that include the latest anti-phishing measures. To stop receiving fraudulent emails you should ensure your email spam filter is turned on.
Nicolas Hopkins:		I have never used payPal as I am worried about people abusing it, and not getting my money back, especially through ebay transactions. Are there plans to introduce greater protection for users?
Garreth Griffith:		We have extensive buyer and seller protection on eBay. And we have regularly extended these since we've been in the UK. Look at www.paypal.co.uk/safetyadvice - and as long as you follow the guidelines you should be covered.
RW:		I regularly use PayPal on Ebay, but can it be used on other websites? What's the procedure?
Garreth Griffith:		The good news is PayPal is accepted on over 165,000 websites in Europe alone, including most recently Toys R Us, other examples include Boots, Top Shop and many others. Just look for PayPal in the payment options.
Ross:		paypal load of rubbish... u work very hard trying to make other money people such as "western union" sound like scammers when you are NO DIFFERENT and hide behind small print so customers are NOT insurred like they think... and you do not stick to your same rules and policies throughout the board... FACT
Garreth Griffith:		We do offer extensive buyer and seller protection. But it is important that customers follow the guidelines relating to this. We have to balance two sides. We have a buyer relationship and a seller relationship and we can't unfairly favour one side.
Trev Miller:		When A Merchant uses Pal pay as their CC processor. Does the merchant get access to your CC number including the three digit security code on the back ?
Garreth Griffith:		Good question, Trev. Absolutely not. PayPal does not share financial details with anybody.
Whatdo you should you do if you are a victim of Identity Fraud?:
Garreth Griffith:		Go to your local poilice station firstly. And go to the relevant instituitions where the fraud has occured. For example, if they have stolen your banks details, go to the bank to report it immediately.
Dave B:		Do you use eBay and Paypal? And would you recommend it to your family
Garreth Griffith:		Yes i have used both for more than 7 years and have bought and sold more than 500 items, so yes i would recommend them but then you would expect me to say that!
neil_jones:		how can i trust paypal?
Garreth Griffith:		Hi Neil. Hopefully the below answers have given you several reasons why you should trust PayPal.
Host:		Unfortunately, that is all the time we have for today. Thanks for all your questions.
Garreth Griffith:		Thanks everyone for the great questions. I hope I was able to help. I am a cautious guy, but I use the internet for everything and I think its a fantastic resource. Its important to understand the problems but not be freaked out be them. All it takes is a little self-education. Take the 10-15 minutes it takes to read the safety advice - www.paypal.co.uk/safetyadvice. But don't just take it from me, the independent online safety advice site, getsafeonline.org also has lots of great tips in layman's language that we can all understand!