This year's online shopping is expected to reach its zenith during the pre-Christmas season; research suggests that the online sales figures will reach ?7 billion! With people purchasing at the rate of ?4 million per hour in the run up to the Christmas this year, the internet has become a soft target for spammers and net-scamsters who are always on the prowl to pounce upon any gullible netizen.

There are few elementary ways through which one can avoid getting duped online. All you have to do is to take some simple precautions:

? Always shop from a site which boasts of a huge list of offerings, be it retailers or products. I agree that quantity not always translates into quality but then, when so many other people have trusted them, you can follow suit as well.

? Do not reveal your financial details on a ?funny? looking site and if you have slightest of doubts do not hesitate to go through the legal section.

? The website must clearly display information about goods or services before you buy, written confirmation of any order and a 'cooling off period' allowing the buyer to cancel the order for any reason.

? While buying online the consumers enjoy all other rights to which they are entitled while making purchases on the ?high-street?.

? Be extra careful while buying from a site that is not based in the United Kingdom and don't even think about a portal not under the jurisdiction of the EU. Simple explanation being if you want to claim any kind of damage of other amount from them it will take you ages to get it if they are out of jurisdiction of UK and never if they are beyond the reach of EU.

Finally, have a merry, prosperous and safe Christmas. Just don't get too engrossed in the festive spirit that you overlook your security.