Firewalls most often take the form of software but may also consist of hardware or a combination of both. Passwords are a common software solution to preventing unwanted access. Each time you provide a password for Internet access, you cross the firewall set up by your Internet service provider. The subsequent firewall allows people within the organization to view content hosted on the external Web site, while preventing public access to the internal site, also known as an intranet. Firewall technology keeps evolving to maintain pace with determined hackers, who attempt to break into computer networks.
Most online merchants post their privacy statements on their Web sites.
Click here to see Visa's privacy statement. Click here to see the Ayurvedic Institute's Privacy Statement . When you shop on the Internet, the merchant's server lets your browser access information about goods and services. Because the data sent over the channel is secure, SSL is sufficient security when doing business with merchants you know and trust. To find out if your transaction is secured by SSL, check for the unbroken key or closed lock symbol in the frame of your browser window.