ORONO, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- As millions of people prepare to go online to get their holiday shopping done, local experts caution there are some things to be aware of.
Nory Jones is Director of the University of Maine Graduate Business Programs. She says the National Retail Federation predicts more than 120 million people across the country will go online Monday to shop.
Jones says one of the biggest things to be aware of is to use sites that begin with "https." That designates the site as secure. Other tips include don't open any suspicious emails, and always look for the secure padlock icon in the corner of the screen when shopping online.
"Mostly, if you're not sure, you can stick with the established retailers. You know if you go to jcpenny.com or llbean.com or amazon.com, you're good," Jones said. "But if you're not sure, it might be better to be safe than sorry."
Jones says another valuable tool is to check out the Better Business Bureau website if you are unsure about a retailer's security.
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