By following a couple of simple rules you can keep your online identity and passwords safe.

From accessing your internet to getting your e-mail or paying for your online shopping, when you use the internet you often need personal information and passwords to carry out what you want to do.

Your passwords and personal information could be used by someone to steal your identity and pretend to be you so it's important to treat this information like you would your PIN Number for your bank card.

Checking a site is secure

A safe and secure website will encrypt any personal information for you go to a page where you need to enter personal or credit details.

You can tell if the site has secure encryption because a padlock icon will appear in the bottom corner of your browser.

The secure padlock

This padlock lets you know security software is being used to prevent anyone gaining access to your personal information.

Normally when you enter or leave a secure part of a site your browser will tell you. This 'alert' can normally be disabled by checking a box on the alert so that it doesn't reappear.

Security alert in Internet Explorer

If you're uneasy about this process, there are a few other things you can look for on a website to make sure it's secure.

Look for a proper postal address and contact details, and if they haven't got a complaints procedure, returns process or customer feedback form, you should reconsider buying from this site.

Most webmail services are not secure so you won't see the alert or padlock when you go in your e-mail. Remember this when you are sending mail and never include your passwords or credit details in an e-mail.