Online Security – The Ignored Issues

Online security is a relatively new concept for a lot of people. Although the term computer virus will be relatively well known the overall approach that the modern computer user should treat the new online world, especially ecommerce, is in general not given the coverage it really deserves. This article will look at the potential threats that the average internet / web user and indeed website proprietor can face.

The internet always seemed to be a slightly lawless place; viruses could spread, infect computers and generally cause havoc. However the recent massive increase in the numbers of people using the internet for shopping means that unscrupulous people have seen even more reason to exploit this for monetary gain.

One way that users are targeted is via so-called 'phishing' attacks. These attacks try to lure and tempt a user into giving up their login details or credentials. This may sound far-fetched, but this seems to be a powerful tool in the arsenal of the online criminal. The attack may come in the form of an email purporting to be from an establishment that a large number of people use, for example a well known bank. This email will often have a link to a site where the user can log in. This is how the trap is sprung, the email isn't from the company the user thinks it is from, and the link in the email is to a site that tries to replicate the site the user knows. This way the user feels safe when they input their details.

It is for this reason that users are incredibly careful when clicking on links from within email or via any other source e.g. instant messaging, social networking sites, etc. Often the link will have been made to resemble the URL of the well known site.

For website owners this form of attack can be circumvented by advising their customers as to the way they will be contacting their customers. The company could make it publicly known that they will only email to advise customers of new offers, they should visit the site to actually access them. Online credit card processing can have a lot of pitfalls and as such money transfer services should always be controlled properly.

The world of online security is a new concept for many people. As users keep an eye on their wallets and purses as they shop on the local high street, so should they try to be aware of how their details are being used online. If in doubt, don't trust the site.

By: Alistair Summers

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Sam Qam's online business employs a company to handle money transfer services for all online credit card processing.