How can I protect myself when buying online?

As long as you have not been negligent, you're always fully protected against fraudulent charges when using the Internet to make purchases.

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Am I Eligible To Apply For A Card?: If you meet the following criteria then you are eligible to apply for a credit card in the UK:
How is interest calculated?: Interest is calculated on a monthly basis on the outstanding balance if full payment has not been received.
How much will I have to pay each month?: How much you have to pay back each month depends entirely on how much you owe – however the general rule for most credit card companies is that you either make a minimum payment of 2% of the balance or £5, whichever is the higher figure.
What is the new Chip and Pin system?: The new Chip and PIN initiative is a system being introduced in the UK in 2004 to reduce counterfeit and stolen card fraud.
What is a Balance Transfer?: Transferring balances has become a popular and easy way to consolidate multiple card balances in one place, while simultaneously making significant savings on interest payments.

All websites use secure-server software which encrypts all your personal information including credit or debit card number and name and address. The encryption process takes the characters you enter and converts them into bits of code that are then securely transmitted over the Internet - this is called Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption technology and these Private Communication Technology (PCT) security standards are supported by Microsoft Internet Explorer and other popular browsers.

This makes doing business over the Internet as secure as purchasing by telephone, however, if you feel uncomfortable transmitting your credit card information over the Internet, you can always ring the company direct and either make the purchase over the phone, or if they have the facility, ask them to keep your credit card number on file. If they store your number then the next time you purchase, you'll only need to supply the last four digits of your credit card number to buy online.

If your card has been lost or stolen, you notice any unusual transactions or if anyone uses your credit card account online without your permission (or the permission of another person who is authorised to use your account), you're not liable for paying those charges.