With many North Country shoppers skipping the malls and turning to the internet for holiday gifts, Better Business Bureau is offering 10 tips for safe online shopping on Cyber Monday and throughout the season.

“To avoid the hassles, lines and crowds, many consumers are staying home and shopping online,” said Warren Clark, president of BBB serving Upstate New York. “While online shopping may be convenient, the Internet also has a dark side with scammers and viruses that can cost consumers not only money and time, but can also hijack their personal information.”

BBB’s 10 tips for safe shopping online:

• Protect your computer. Install a firewall, anti-virus and anti-spyware software. Check for and install the latest updates and run virus scans regularly.

• Check a site’s security settings. If the site is secure, its URL should start with “https://.” You also may see a picture of a small closed lock in the lower right hand corner of the screen.

• Shop trustworthy websites. Look for the BBB seal on the site and click to confirm that it’s valid. The seal will take you to a site’s BBB Business Review. If there is no seal, you can always check out any business at bbb.org. Also, make sure you are shopping with a brand retailer you know and trust.

• Protect personal information. Make sure to read a site’s privacy policy and understand what personal information is being requested and how it will be used. If a site lacks a privacy policy, it could be a red flag that the site could sell your information without your permission.

• Beware of “too-good-to-be-true” deals. Offers on websites and in unsolicited emails may offer free or very low prices on hard to find items. There may be hidden costs or your purchase may sign you up for a monthly charge. Look for and read the fine print.

• Beware of phishing. Legitimate businesses do not send emails claiming problems with an order, account or a package to lure the buyer into revealing financial information. If you receive such an email, BBB recommends that you pick up the phone and call the contact number on the website where the purchase was made to confirm a problem.

• Pay with a credit card. Under federal law, you can dispute the charges if you don’t receive an item. Shoppers also have dispute rights if there are any unauthorized charges on the card, and many card issuers have zero-liability policies if someone steals and uses your card number. Check your credit card statement regularly for unauthorized charges. Avoid using GreenDot Money cards or wiring money.

• Keep documentation of your order. Save a copy of the confirmation page of an order or emails confirming the order until you receive the item and are satisfied.

• Obtain tracking numbers for shipments. If you need the product before the holidays, find out when the seller intends to ship it and if possible, how it will be shipped. The tracking number can help you find a lost order.

• Know your rights. Federal law requires that orders made by phone, mail or online be shipped by the date promised or within 30 days if no delivery time was stated. If goods aren’t shipped on time, shoppers can cancel and demand a refund. Consumers also may reject merchandise if it is defective or was misrepresented.

For scam alerts, tips and other information you can trust, visit bbb.org, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.