AB Cartridges Ltd take your security very seriously, and make shopping online as safe as if you visited us in person. Your browser will go into secure mode as soon as you click to 'checkout' or to 'login' - before you enter any personal or payment details. You can check that you are shopping in a secure environment by looking for either a yellow locked padlock icon, or an image of a key in the grey bar at the bottom of your browser screen. Being in 'secure mode' means that all of your details are encrypted to help keep them secure.

Encryption creates billions of code combinations to protect each transaction made on our site, so your card details cannot be viewed by anyone else using the Internet. If you are using one of the more recent browser versions, our site supports 128 bit encryption, therefore keeping your details as safe as possible at all times. We only accept orders that are placed using Secure Socket Layer (SSL).

This technology prevents you from inadvertently revealing personal information using an un-secure connection. During payment, we also ask for your card billing address, as an additional security check. No credit or debit card details are stored online once your order has been processed. This is why, for example, you can save your delivery address, but you need to enter your card details each time you order.

Is Internet Shopping Safe?

Internet shopping is now at least as safe as shopping in a store or by phone, so there is no need for anyone to miss out on the benefits it can provide. Visit the IMRG web site www.imrg.org for up to the moment, official consumer Internet shopping advice. Whenever you wish to buy online, please note the following:

1. All of your usual shopping rights apply online: see www.consumerdirect.gov.uk

2. Know who you're dealing with: get the seller's phone number and postal address.

3. Be aware of terms and conditions: check payment and delivery details.

4. Keep records of what you order.

5. EU law protects you against fraudulent use of your payment card in EU transactions: credit cards give you extra protection.

6. Only give your payment card details over a secure connection and never disclose your PIN to anyone.

7. You usually have at least 7 days to cancel an order and request a refund from an EU retailer.

8. Check your payment card statement carefully: you have at least 90 days to report a suspect transaction.

9. When you buy goods online from outside the EU: you are an importer and may be liable to pay any Customs Duty and VAT; err on the side of caution as it may be difficult to seek redress if problems arise.

10. If you have a problem, contact the seller then, if you need to, the payment card company, local Trading Standards Office and any Trustmark organisation the seller is registered with.

How does your browser protect you and your data?

Most modern web browsers, such as Internet Explorer and Netscape, support 'secure mode' and standard security protocols. Internet Explorer can warn you if the site you are about to send payment details to, is secure or insecure.

To make this happen, select OPTIONS on the VIEW menu and then click the SECURITY tab. Once all of the warning boxes have been ticked, Internet Explorer will automatically alert you each time you send your private details to another site. If you use a Netscape browser, you should select SECURITY PREFERENCES from the OPTIONS menu and then click on the GENERAL tab.

Tick all of the Security Alert boxes and again, you will be warned when you are sending details to secure and insecure sites. Please note: some browsers give you a warning when you go from a secure area to a regular area. The aim is worthy enough to ensure that people know when they've left a secure server, In practice, the message is often a bit startling, and makes it look like you've done something wrong even though you really haven't.