Okay, there can be risks associated with buying goods over the internet. But, if you use your common sense, shopping online should be no more risky than buying over the phone or by mail order. To start with, you have as many rights in law as when you buy online as you do when shopping from a shop, street market, mail-order catalogue or during sales.

Internet trading within Europe is now regulated and the industry has codes of conduct.What's more, the Government's distance-selling legislation that came in October 2000 adds further weight to your rights. Each site selling goods online must now give the name and postal address of the company, a full description of goods or services offered, prices including taxes and delivery charges where applicable, and seven working days cancellation rights, so if they don't, don't go there!

The rules also say that if someone makes fraudulent use of your credit card for any form of home shopping, you can cancel the payment and the card issuer must refund the money to your account.

To be really safe, take the following precautions:

• Make sure you know which company you are dealing with. Be wary if it doesn't have a full postal address and phone number quoted on the site.
• Shop around and check for the best prices, just as you would in the high street. Useful price-comparison websites include www.uk.kelkoo.com and shopsmart.com.
• Watch for additional charges such as VAT, customs duties, delivery and packaging. Some of these might be hidden.
• Find out the company's refund and return policies before you place an order.
• Check how long delivery will take. Many sites offer next-day delivery or three-day delivery.
• If there is anything you are not sure of, phone the company and ask for details of the product or service in writing, listing all the charges.
• Always read the small print; and print out and keep your contract, terms of business and order number. Keep a note of the web address and email.
• Check that the site you are using has a secure server. Many major web retailers offer you the option of sending your credit card details via a secure (encrypted) page so your credit card details are scrambled in transit. Your browser will tell you whether the page you are on is secure. Often it will flash up a warning on the screen as you enter a secure page. If you are using Microsoft or Netscape browsers, you'll see a closed-padlock symbol in the status bar at the bottom of your screen. If in doubt, don't use it.
• Be wary of any company that makes a product or performance claim that's unlikely or just plain hard to believe. If it seems too good to be true, then it probably is.
• If buying online from abroad, make certain that electrical equipment is compatible and will work in the UK and that any guarantee it has is valid in the UK. Find out whether you will have to return the product to the supplier's country if there is a problem. And make sure the purchase is a good deal, taking into account the cost of converting currency or sending money abroad.
• Before buying, check whether a trader follows an online code of practice for consumers and precisely what this offers in addition to your statutory rights. Traders who subscribe to an online code will display an electronic logo on their website.