|
Home / Internet / E-Business
Website Security Rules Explained
By:Ricardo d Argence
2006-2007 has been the years that online shopping has come into its own with online consumers spending a record $65.1 billion in merchandise via the web.
More and more people are getting comfortable with online shopping and are engaging in online shopping, research and exploration of various membership and subscription sites.
Unfortunately, the chances of becoming a victim of Internet fraud also increases with every site where personal information is places.
The Internet National Fraud Center Watch recently reported that the average loss due to fraud the first six months of 2006 was $2,579. This is compared to the $895 average for all of 2005.
Complaints relating to general merchandise purchases (goods never received or misrepresented) accounted for 30% of Internet fraud complaints, and auction purchases (goods never received or misrepresented) topped the list at 44%.
One of the big scams in 2006-2007 is the investment scam. Investing has always been thought of as a good way to build a nest egg for retirement, but there are so many investment schemes offered via the Internet that you don't really know which one is correct for you.
Further, there are so many schemes that, while they appear legitimate, are pure scams. If you take your time, do a lot of research prior to signing on to something and don't get taken in by the hype, you can make wise decisions and avoid losing your money to fraud.
Many e-commerce sites are trustworthy and have taken the necessary safety measures to shield you, but it still never hurts to proceed cautiously. If you decide to make an online purchase consider these simple steps:
1. Make all purchases with one credit card, preferably with a low credit limit. Avoid using an ATM or debit card because that's money taken directly from your account.
2. Be wary of unsolicited offers by sellers. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is. The Internet National Fraud Information Center Watch reported that email scams was up 22% in 2006.
While the offer may seem legitimate, spammers and phishers like to use this tactic to side-step reputable sites that provide consumer protection for online purchases. They will send you to a site that looks just like the real thing.
You put in your information and you are a victim in about 3 seconds. If you get an email asking you to confirm our Paypal, eBay or bank account information, whatever you do, DON'T CLICK ON THE LINK IN THE EMAIL.
Go to the site directly by typing in the site name, and see if there is anything related to the email. In 99.9% of the time, it is not. It's a fraud waiting to steal your personal information. You can also tell that the email is fake because it won't have your name in it.
3. Use only reputable e-commerce websites that list a street address and telephone number in case you need to contact them directly. If you look all over the website, and you can't find bona fide contact information, move cautiously.
You wouldn't go into a store with no sign or street address, would you? Well, this is no different. If you can't find a number that connects to a human being and an address, keep on looking.
4. Read the website's privacy policy. Some websites may reserve the right to sell/give your information to a third party. Check the document to see if they allow an opportunity to "opt-out" of receiving special offers from third-party vendors or for permission to share your personal information.
If you want your name sold to a ton of people you don't know, then don't take this extra precaution. If they do it, and there isn't a place to opt-out, move on. It's not worth the amount of spam you will receive.
5. In the lower right-hand corner of your browser should be a small lock icon which indicates that the site is secure. Also, do not provide your personal information if the website address doesn't start with "https" on that checkout page.
This isn't on the whole site, but wherever you are putting your credit card must have these two things in place. If you can't find it or you see an unlocked lock icon, don't put your personal information and credit card information in there.
While the company may be completely legitimate, it is not secure. On the web, you can't take that chance. Find an alternative way to shop with them if you really want to.
6. Choose only verified sellers. Check to see if the vendor is a verified member of a reputable third party such as the Better Business Bureau, VeriSign, or Guardian eCommerce.
These third-party sites help to ensure online consumers will be protected when shopping or conducting e-commerce transactions.
Shopping on the Internet can be both convenient and fun, if you take the proper precautions. Simply know the rules of the road and what you should be looking for on websites, and you should have no trouble. If you do, contact the Better Business Bureau.
Digg
del.icio.us
Blink
Stumble
Spurl
Reddit
Netscape
Furl
Article keywords: Internet National Fraud Center Watch, e-commerce, Shopping on the Internet
Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com
Alojate.com is the premier web hosting company in Mexico, offering a range or services for all business needs.
http://www.alojate.com
http://www.alojateextra.com
|
|
| Top E-Business Articles |
|
|
- 2). No one Really Makes Money Online By : Daegan Smith
People think that itís easy to make money from the Internet. While the cost of setting up a company has gotten cheaper on the average compared to the Industrial Age overhead. You also have more people with the same idea to compete with now. So in exchange for less capital, you get more competition. If itís not one thing itís the other.
|
|
|
- 4). Niche Product Creation for Beginners By : Joseph Then
You know your strength and your opportunities. You have been on the net and found products there that are really not that hard to conceptualize. And yet you are not sure how to start.
|
|
|
- 6). Guide To Selling On eBay By : Dwayne Garrett
elling on ebay could be one of your most exciting adventures in the net. Buying and selling are organized into categories. They have sites from various parts and areas of the world with local sites that will suit to the local taste, culture and needs.
|
|
|
- 8). Finding the Right Product for Niche Marketing By : Joseph Then
You’ve done your research and now understand that your best shot at success as an internet marketer is with niche marketing. By finding underserved niches and providing them with a good product, you’ll be able to reap significant financial rewards.
|
- 9). Online Business Owners: Five Steps to a Holiday Gift You Give Yourself By : Stephanie Diamond
No matter how large or small your company is, online business owners need to take a step back and evaluate their business. It’s a gift you can give yourself at this time of year. Your business is only as good as the strategy and tactics that support it.
Many of my customers resist this, especially at holiday time. I believe this is the best time to see where you are and where you’re headed. Holiday time can be emotional. While your feelings are on the surface, it’s a good time to do some valuable thinking about your business.
|
- 10). One Billion Reasons To Have A Chinese SEO System By : Peter LeSar
China is the fastest growing economy in the world. Yet barriers exist to American company’s full participation in the booming Chinese economy. These barriers are technology, language and communications. SEO might be one business model to use to get into the Chinese economy, but Chinese translation will be required.
|
| New E-Business Articles |
|
|
- 2). Promoting Online Teaching By : Ricardy Banks
While fully online courses are still in the minority, many schools, colleges and universities are including some online aspects to their teaching. Sometimes this work falls to teachers who have experience or training in online teaching.
|
|
|
|
|
- 5). Find an Affordable Internet Business By : Dustin Cannon
If you are looking for a way to start your own business, you probably have a few reservations that are constantly holding you back. And if you are like the majority of people, the main problem that you are running into is probably financial.
|
- 6). 3 Easy Ways on How to Become an Internet Millionaire? By : Daegan Smith
In life, people are encouraged to get to school so that they will gain the knowledge that they need to earn money in the future and make their lives more productive. And after toiling the soil for almost forty years, people are asked to retire and live the life they deserve to cherish.
|
|
|
- 8). The Truth about Online Income By : Daegan Smith
That is what everybody is so crazy about. The problem with most people is that they tend to find ways that will give them the opportunities to earn money easily. They pass over the fact that easy money is never effective. They tend to overlook the reality behind earning money.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
