Maplin Electronics Help

Privacy and Security

Is shopping on maplin.co.uk safe?
Are my details secure?
Will my browser protect my details?
What are cookies, and why do Maplin use them?
I do not want to enable cookies on my computer, but want to buy from some goods from Maplin. What can I do?

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Is shopping on maplin.co.uk safe?

At Maplin Electronics, we take security very seriously and make shopping online as safe as possible.

Your browser will go into secure mode as soon as you go to the checkout or login page or any other pages containing sensitive information.

You can check that you are shopping in a secure environment by looking for either a locked padlock or a key icon in the grey bar at the bottom of your screen (see picture below).

The Maplin Electronics web site is also scanned daily by Scan Alert. Scan Alert tests and certifies the Maplin Web daily to see if it passes the FBI/SANS Internet Security Test. The "live" HACKER SAFE mark (show below) appears only when a the maplin.co.uk site's current security status meets the highest security scanning standards of the U.S. government, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover and JCB. The Scan Alert HACKER SAFE sites help protect you from Identity Theft and Credit Card Fraud (maplin.co.uk is not responsible for the content of external web sites.).

You can view our certificate from Scan Alert by clicking on the logo within the Maplin Electronics site. This can be found on most pages within the site down the left hand side of the page.

PLEASE NOTE: MAPLIN NEVER ASK YOU FOR PERSONAL OR CREDIT CARD DETAILS VIA POP UPS.

If you have any further concerns about security, please Email the Webmaster or contact us.

Are my details secure?

Yes, when you proceed to secure pages, Maplin protected your details by encrypting your information (mixing them with code to help keep them secure). This is so your card details cannot be viewed by anyone else using the Internet. If you are using one of the more recent browser versions, our site supports 128 bit encryption and therefore keeps your details as safe as possible at all times.

We only accept orders that are placed using Secure Socket Layer (SSL). This technology prevents you from inadvertently revealing personal information using an insecure connection. To view the Maplin Electronics certificate please click here (this will open in a new window). You can also view this certificate within the maplin.co.uk site by clicking on either one of these links within the site. (maplin.co.uk is not responsible for the content of external web sites).

Your credit card or debit card details are not stored on our site once your order has been processed. Unless you have selected to register your self for Auto Buy . All of your details, including your password for Auto Buy are also encrypt, so they cannot be viewed by anyone.

PLEASE NOTE: MAPLIN NEVER ASK YOU FOR PERSONAL OR CREDIT CARD DETAILS VIA POP UPS.

If you have any further concerns about security, please Email the Webmaster or contact us.

Will my browser protect my details?

Most modern web browsers, such as Internet Explorer and Netscape, support 'secure mode' and standard security protocols.

Internet Explorer can warn you if the site you are about to send payment details to is secure or insecure.

Online security is constantly evolving so, if you are using older versions of Internet Explorer (version 4 or older versions of IE5), we recommend you update your browser to a later version of IE in order to take full advantage of the improved security features. If you'd like to update your browser, please visit the Microsoft web site (maplin.co.uk is not responsible for the content of external web sites. This will open a new window).

What are Cookies, and why do Maplin use them?

A 'cookie' is a file in your web browser that enables us to recognise your computer when you visit the site. Cookies are used by many Web sites to help collect information, such as how many people visit and return to the site, what products are being bought, and to make certain parts of the site function properly.

Maplin.co.uk uses cookies for a number of purposes, for example to enable us to simplify login for existing customers, to ensure that the authenticity of registered customers are secure, to monitor traffic and provide mechanisms for online shopping.

If you are a non registered user on the maplin.co.uk site, you are sent an anonymous cookie to help us keep track of your browsing patterns and build up a profile. Also, any visitor who has clicked on Maplin advertisements on other web site, we will be sent an anonymous cookie that will allow us to analyses our advertising effectiveness and manage relationships with our affiliate sites.

Whilst you do not need to allow your browser to accept cookies in order to browse much of our web site or to access many of our services, you must have cookies enabled if you wish to shop online.

I do not want to enable cookies on my computer, but want to buy some goods from Maplin. What can I do?

Maplin Electronics do accept that some of our customers will disable their cookies, with cookies disabled, you can still use our site to search for products, although you may experience some technical problems with some parts of the site. Most browsers allow you to turn off the cookie function. If you want to know how to do this please look at the help menu on your browser.

Should you find a product you wish to purchase, you can use our store stock finder facility (on the product page) to locate your nearest store. Alternatively, you can place your order by contacting us.

There is the option to only enable cookies on a site by site basis but this is your choice.

If you would like more information about cookies, or are having problems login in please see Registration and Log In.

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