This development is a reminder to be vigilant when online shopping, especially during the holidays when distractions and pressure can steal your attention. In addition to the usual safety practices — avoid links in emails and social media, don’t save credit card details online, never use public Wi-Fi for financial transactions of any kind and recognize when a deal is too good to be true — you can also make use of virtual credit cards.

Using a virtual credit card adds an additional layer of security for a transaction by generating a unique card number that is associated with your account but different from your real card’s number. If your virtual card data is leaked in a data breach, the cybercriminals won’t have your primary card details and you won’t have to order a replacement. Instead, deactivate the card if it is carrying a balance.

Virtual cards can also be customized with spending limits and expiration dates. You can create separate card numbers for different merchants and specify an amount. My son-in-law who owns an auto body shop in Salt Lake City said that insurance companies pay for repairs in this way — a virtual card for each invoice. Once the card number has been processed, it’s no longer useable. It’s an ideal way to complete a transaction online.

Virtual cards are primarily designed for online or over-the-phone purchases, but they can also work in physical stores if added to a digital wallet such as Apple Pay or Google Pay. However, they do have limitations. For example, you might run into challenges when making reservations, as hotels often require the physical card used for booking. Most banks and card issuers offer them, including Chase, Citi, American Express and Capital One, but not all, so you can do a simple search to find out. Check your bank’s website or give them a call.

A virtual card has similar components of a physical credit card such as the virtual credit card number, expiration date and security codes. Virtual credit cards are usually generated through your bank’s app or website. Some financial institutions give customers a free virtual credit card as part of their services. If you bank with more than one provider or use cards from multiple banks, do your research to determine which institution offers the best deal.

Once you’ve decided where to get your virtual card, the process of ordering one is fairly simple. You can usually generate a virtual card instantly. Log in to your account, find the virtual card option and follow the steps to generate a card number. Some issuers offer browser extensions to make accessing virtual cards more convenient so that you can use the extension without having to open a new tab to access the service.

For instance, Capital One uses Eno, a browser extension compatible with Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge and Safari web browsers. Go to the Capital One website and follow the link to your browser’s web store. This ensures you are visiting the official extension page. Install the extension and it will be in your browser bar for easy access. When it’s time to check out online, open the extension to generate a virtual card for the purchase.

Save your receipts so that you can later verify purchases if you need to return them. If your return is credited back to your account, it will go to the primary account associated with the virtual card you used.

Virtual credit cards are not just a convenience; they’re an essential tool for safer online shopping. By masking your real card number and providing the ability to customize and control your transactions, virtual cards help protect your financial information in an increasingly risky digital landscape. If your card issuer supports them, it’s worth giving virtual cards a try this shopping season.

Leslie Meredith has been writing about technology for more than a decade. As a mom of four, value, usefulness and online safety take priority. Have a question? Email Leslie at asklesliemeredith@gmail.com.