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The Internet is not only making information easier to access, it is also changing the way a lot of things were done before. Almost anything can now be done online, including applying for a credit card.

Online credit card application is now the easiest and fastest way to get you approved for credit. It is also, by far, one of the safer ways to do so, protecting your personal financial information.

Tight security

Most websites for banks that offer credit card applications online have what is called SSL or Secure Sockets Layer. In layman's terms, it is a very complex code that hides the information you send out from your computer to the website. Only the intended recipient has the key to unlock that code and read back the information you submitted. To know whether the site and the information you will give out is secure, you should see a small padlock icon on the bottom of your browser window.

The present code encryption of data for website transactions uses 128-bit encryption. To give you an idea of just how secure that is, every single character of the information you send is altered into any one of 2 to the 128th ways (that's two multiplied 128 times). Even the world's fastest computers would take more than a thousand years just to decode the transaction.

This is significantly more secure than submitting applications by mail, where it is infinitely easier to break into mailboxes and steal important information.

Other advantages

Besides the offer of security, applying online allows you side-by-side comparison of the different products and offers from several card companies. It is now easier to compare the features each card offers such for 0% APRs, balance transfers, annual fee rates, incentives and rewards programs and the like. Being able to do so gives you better chances of choosing the card that best suits your needs and is the most manageable.

Possible drawback

However, in spite these advantages, online credit card applications bring at least one drawback. The disadvantage is that since it's so easy to get a credit card, the chance of running into debt becomes far greater now.

Before, just the inconvenience of applying prevented the accumulation of credit cards. Today, with a single click of a mouse, you could easily gain another source of loaned money, which may not necessarily be able to pay alongside your existing cards.

It is perhaps because of the ease in application that it is not surprising that the average person has seven active credit cards to his name ' of which very often, considerable amounts in debt are incurred.

Consider before applying

That said, when thinking of applying for a credit card, consider these things first. Are you capable of managing not only your expenses but also your total financial situation? Will you be able to designate select expenses that can be made on credit or will you be swiping away like someone possessed?

Look at your source/s of income. Is it regular and stable? Will it be able to meet more than just the minimum monthly payment for the card you are applying for? If not, rethink your application very thoroughly.

Furthermore, also consider the credit limit of the card. It is recommended that to prevent debt, the total credit limit of all your cards combined should be no more than 25% of your regular income. Any more than that and your ability to manage possible debt decreases significantly.

Now that you have a clearer view of what's behind credit card applications (whether on- or offline), you should be able to have a better idea of the implications and responsibilities of being approved one. Just learn to manage your expenses and resources and your credit card can become a useful tool rather than a troublesome burden.