Friday, October 23, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
E-Commerce: Convenience and Security
Ever since it has become a reality in our world, e-commerce has changed the way people do business. The advance of technology has brought a new perspective on how to bring more profit to businesses. Many people however, question the safety of such an approach pointing the sensitivity of data that is shared in online transactions such as credit card numbers, addresses and others. They also question the credibility of sellers and how trustful they can be. Here these questions will be discussed and answered, and I will show the advantage of pursuing e-commerce as a way of life, whether you’re a business or a customer.
According to E-Commerce News identity theft seems to pose the most immediate threat to the continued success of e-commerce. It was the most prevalent form of consumer fraud reported to authorities in 2004. The truth is however, that people just need a sense of security which will enable them to embrace e-commerce and shop online as frequent as they do in a grocery store. Think about how many times you have handed your credit card to a waiter in a restaurant, or even given the account number over the phone while purchasing something. What really worries people at this moment is the “novelty” of the Internet and not enough information to make such decision, whereas e-commerce can be very safe if well used (Phillips, P., par. 2).
The secret for acquiring trust in e-commerce is knowledge and credibility. In my personal finance class for example, I learned how useful and practical a credit card can be if you know how to use it. Many people can’t hear the words “credit card” because of how much debt they were put under after some experiences. Others, on the other hand, are very knowledgeable and have only seen advantages in using it. As long as you pay your credit card bill on time and don’t fall for high interest rates, you will never lose one cent.
Now, the same thing occurs with e-commerce. If you have a password that is not obvious, keep all your secret information out of others’ reach, and try to learn about the website’s security, you will likely be able to shop as much as you want and avoid any kind of identity theft or anything related. It is crucial that you look for the website’s credibility. I personally started applying that principle after I was deceived in a fraud which cost me more just a few dollars, but could have cost more had I not noticed the problem so early. Every time I want to find how credible an e-commerce website is, I look for people’s testimonial over the internet. I also look for articles from online magazines which discuss such topics. This way I can avoid any inconvenience on such matter. Now I also know how to identify if a website is secure by finding if it has a SSL, a SET, and if it is encrypted. For example, to find out if your transaction is secured by SSL, check for the unbroken key or closed lock symbol in the frame of your browser window. Or, check the shop’s URL, which should change from “http” to “https” when processing secure transactions (Phillips, P., par. 14).
The greater knowledge we obtain the more likely we will all be migrating to e-commerce more rapidly, whether buying or selling. In Brazil, e-commerce has become an interesting trend since it is often times considered more secure to sell and buy things online rather than taking the risk of being robbed right after you leave an electronic store. Technology and laws have started to walk together in my country (Nunes, E., Franco M., p. 1.). Implementing e-commerce in a future business I will own someday is something I definitely look forward to do in Brazil, to bring me profit and security. Once everyone realizes that the business of tomorrow is, in fact e-commerce, they will enjoy the convenience and security of purchasing, selling and making more profit.
REFERENCES
Regan, Keith. "FTC Says Most Reported Fraud Stems from Web." E-Commerce Times. ECT
News Network, 01 Feb. 2005. Web. 12 Oct. 2009. http://www.ecommercetimes.com/rsstory/40214.html.
Phillips, Paul. "Making e-commerce secure." Computer Weekly. Reed Business Information Ltd, 22 July 1999. Web. 12 Oct. 2009.
Nunes, Esther D. B., and Franco M. Grotti. "Regulation of E-Commerce in Brazil." Banking & Financial Services Policy Report 19.13 (2000): 21-23. EBSCO. Web. 12 Oct. 2009.
http://wf2dnvr1.webfeat.org/4bOxM1610/url=http://content.ebscohost.com/pdf14_16/pdf/2000/II9/01Sep00/9517471.pdf?T=P&P=AN&K=9517471&S=R&D=buh&EbscoContent=dGJyMMvl7ESep7A4zdnyOLCmrlGep7JSs624TK%2BWxWXS&ContentCustomer=dGJyMPGptUyurLJOuePfgeyx44Hy7fEA.
According to E-Commerce News identity theft seems to pose the most immediate threat to the continued success of e-commerce. It was the most prevalent form of consumer fraud reported to authorities in 2004. The truth is however, that people just need a sense of security which will enable them to embrace e-commerce and shop online as frequent as they do in a grocery store. Think about how many times you have handed your credit card to a waiter in a restaurant, or even given the account number over the phone while purchasing something. What really worries people at this moment is the “novelty” of the Internet and not enough information to make such decision, whereas e-commerce can be very safe if well used (Phillips, P., par. 2).
The secret for acquiring trust in e-commerce is knowledge and credibility. In my personal finance class for example, I learned how useful and practical a credit card can be if you know how to use it. Many people can’t hear the words “credit card” because of how much debt they were put under after some experiences. Others, on the other hand, are very knowledgeable and have only seen advantages in using it. As long as you pay your credit card bill on time and don’t fall for high interest rates, you will never lose one cent.
Now, the same thing occurs with e-commerce. If you have a password that is not obvious, keep all your secret information out of others’ reach, and try to learn about the website’s security, you will likely be able to shop as much as you want and avoid any kind of identity theft or anything related. It is crucial that you look for the website’s credibility. I personally started applying that principle after I was deceived in a fraud which cost me more just a few dollars, but could have cost more had I not noticed the problem so early. Every time I want to find how credible an e-commerce website is, I look for people’s testimonial over the internet. I also look for articles from online magazines which discuss such topics. This way I can avoid any inconvenience on such matter. Now I also know how to identify if a website is secure by finding if it has a SSL, a SET, and if it is encrypted. For example, to find out if your transaction is secured by SSL, check for the unbroken key or closed lock symbol in the frame of your browser window. Or, check the shop’s URL, which should change from “http” to “https” when processing secure transactions (Phillips, P., par. 14).
The greater knowledge we obtain the more likely we will all be migrating to e-commerce more rapidly, whether buying or selling. In Brazil, e-commerce has become an interesting trend since it is often times considered more secure to sell and buy things online rather than taking the risk of being robbed right after you leave an electronic store. Technology and laws have started to walk together in my country (Nunes, E., Franco M., p. 1.). Implementing e-commerce in a future business I will own someday is something I definitely look forward to do in Brazil, to bring me profit and security. Once everyone realizes that the business of tomorrow is, in fact e-commerce, they will enjoy the convenience and security of purchasing, selling and making more profit.
REFERENCES
Regan, Keith. "FTC Says Most Reported Fraud Stems from Web." E-Commerce Times. ECT
News Network, 01 Feb. 2005. Web. 12 Oct. 2009. http://www.ecommercetimes.com/rsstory/40214.html.
Phillips, Paul. "Making e-commerce secure." Computer Weekly. Reed Business Information Ltd, 22 July 1999. Web. 12 Oct. 2009.
Nunes, Esther D. B., and Franco M. Grotti. "Regulation of E-Commerce in Brazil." Banking & Financial Services Policy Report 19.13 (2000): 21-23. EBSCO. Web. 12 Oct. 2009.
http://wf2dnvr1.webfeat.org/4bOxM1610/url=http://content.ebscohost.com/pdf14_16/pdf/2000/II9/01Sep00/9517471.pdf?T=P&P=AN&K=9517471&S=R&D=buh&EbscoContent=dGJyMMvl7ESep7A4zdnyOLCmrlGep7JSs624TK%2BWxWXS&ContentCustomer=dGJyMPGptUyurLJOuePfgeyx44Hy7fEA.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Thoughts fromToday's Class
The old said "Do not judge a book by its cover" could be very well represented when we're talking about making decisions with support systems. As we learned today from the presentations and some insights that were shared, the value of something is not always obvious from what we see on the surface. We used pivot tables in excel, as well as conditional formatting, filtering and other features, which all help us make better decisions given a summarized and dimensional report on the data that we have. However, there may always be something else behind it that can't be shown on such report, and it demands us to be careful and analytical as we make the final decision. By doing so, we will avoid some awful consequences from judging a book only by its cover. Decision support systems are helpful, but not perfect, but when combined with our mind and knowledge can become more accurate.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Saturday, October 3, 2009
MAKING THE RIGHT DECISIONS
This week I learned about how decision support systems can help you not only in making a decision but also in making the most accurate decision. Here I will talk about how these systems are essential but at cannot be 100% reliable, once the final decision cannot be fully automated. In other words, these systems can improve how information is managed, helping someone to make the final decision later on (Gotta, M., Par. 1). I will start by explaining how we can apply Gospel related principles in this process, then by how to implement what technology offers us and finally focus on the use of information to help making the final decision.
Studying the information provided in order to make a final decision is essential in this process of accuracy. As we look at the Gospel we can see many teachings from the Lord in regards to that. In the book of D&C 9:7-9 He taught Oliver Cowdery the following, “Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me. But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right. But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong.” Here we can see a great pattern established by the Lord to help us make the right decisions, through seeking the answer and receiving it by the Holy Ghost. Elder Richard G. Scott said in his address of the first session of General Conference today, October 3, 2009, “The Holy Ghost can help us make decisions as we seek help from The Lord.”
This new era of Information Technology has provided other great mechanisms in decision making. Programs that generate detailed reports such as what Excel does with a pivot table are very helpful in this process. I am learning in my personal finance class, for instance, to track all my expenses in order to see where I could be saving more money. As I utilize spreadsheets with the right information put together, it becomes much easier for me to decide where I need to make changes. Learning how to use several different decision support systems such as queries in Access and different features in Excel as filtering, pivot tables, and others, will dramatically increase my ability to become a greater decision maker as I pursue my career in business as well as in my personal life.
Making a decision can completely change the course of one’s project or even his life. We need to be aware, however, that the information gathered should serve just as a support and not as the final criteria for making the decision (Jessup, L., Par. 11). If you will worry too much about focusing on the report, you might not notice other things that could also influence your decision, and many businesses have gone broke because of that. That’s why I need to learn how to analyze such decision support systems and apply the principles of the Gospel in order to make the right decision after all.
REFERENCES
Gotta, Mike. "Social software is improving collaboration." Http://www.computerweekly.com/.
Computer Weekly, 27 Mar. 2007. Web. 02 Oct. 2009..
Section 9:7-9. Doctrine and Covenants. Salt Lake City, UT: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-
Day Saints, 1976. Print.
Scott, Richard G. "Making Decisions." 179th Semiannual General Conference of the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Utah, Salt Lake City. 03 Oct. 2009. Address.
Jessup, Leonard M. "Decision Making in an Automated Environment: The Effects of Anonymity
and Proximity with a Group Decision Support System*." Decision Sciences 22.2 (7 Jun 2007): 266-79. Decision Sciences. Willey InterScience Journals, 7 June 2007. Web. 3 Oct. 2009..
Studying the information provided in order to make a final decision is essential in this process of accuracy. As we look at the Gospel we can see many teachings from the Lord in regards to that. In the book of D&C 9:7-9 He taught Oliver Cowdery the following, “Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me. But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right. But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong.” Here we can see a great pattern established by the Lord to help us make the right decisions, through seeking the answer and receiving it by the Holy Ghost. Elder Richard G. Scott said in his address of the first session of General Conference today, October 3, 2009, “The Holy Ghost can help us make decisions as we seek help from The Lord.”
This new era of Information Technology has provided other great mechanisms in decision making. Programs that generate detailed reports such as what Excel does with a pivot table are very helpful in this process. I am learning in my personal finance class, for instance, to track all my expenses in order to see where I could be saving more money. As I utilize spreadsheets with the right information put together, it becomes much easier for me to decide where I need to make changes. Learning how to use several different decision support systems such as queries in Access and different features in Excel as filtering, pivot tables, and others, will dramatically increase my ability to become a greater decision maker as I pursue my career in business as well as in my personal life.
Making a decision can completely change the course of one’s project or even his life. We need to be aware, however, that the information gathered should serve just as a support and not as the final criteria for making the decision (Jessup, L., Par. 11). If you will worry too much about focusing on the report, you might not notice other things that could also influence your decision, and many businesses have gone broke because of that. That’s why I need to learn how to analyze such decision support systems and apply the principles of the Gospel in order to make the right decision after all.
REFERENCES
Gotta, Mike. "Social software is improving collaboration." Http://www.computerweekly.com/.
Computer Weekly, 27 Mar. 2007. Web. 02 Oct. 2009.
Section 9:7-9. Doctrine and Covenants. Salt Lake City, UT: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-
Day Saints, 1976. Print.
Scott, Richard G. "Making Decisions." 179th Semiannual General Conference of the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Utah, Salt Lake City. 03 Oct. 2009. Address.
Jessup, Leonard M. "Decision Making in an Automated Environment: The Effects of Anonymity
and Proximity with a Group Decision Support System*." Decision Sciences 22.2 (7 Jun 2007): 266-79. Decision Sciences. Willey InterScience Journals, 7 June 2007. Web. 3 Oct. 2009.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Databases: More Powerful Than You Can Imagine
This week I learned about the importance of databases and how to design and create relationships among them. Here I will talk about what kinds of databases there are and how big they can be. Did you know, for instance, that the FBI database holds record on 1.5 billion people? Can you imagine how incredible it would be if you knew how to design and manage databases yourself? What about the downsides on that, with hackers invading databases and causing terrible consequences? We will see how learning to use such things can be promising in today’s world.
Keeping record of things has been a natural process since the beginning of times. As Information Technology has developed, the same has happened to the creation and storage of databases. Programs such as Microsoft Visio and Access allow me to draw and manage my own databases, creating relationships and making it easier to get information when I need. In my accounting class, for instance, we are learning how to create journals and records of every transaction into different ledgers. There is a reference number which is associated with the previous journal. This is a relationship. As I learn to do that, I see how easier it becomes if I know how to use programs such as QuickBooks to help me with storing data and turning it into information. Another great example of the use of databases is the Family History program of the Church. It is a huge database that keeps record of millions of our ancestors. Thanks to that, we can perform temple ordinances in their behalf and “bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of men.” (Moses Ch. 1, v. 39) The FBI also has a huge database that holds record of 1.5 billion people. One of the reasons they keep such track of things is to prevent further terrorist attacks. That’s what they call the “total information awareness system.” (Ashford, W. Par. 4) Privacy groups are opposed to such practice. “People have no idea of how many “digital footprints” they leave as they surf the Internet, travel and use their mobile phones.” (Ashford, W. Par. 4) At the same time that there is an intention to bring more security, there is also a great risk of immeasurable damage if a database ends up in wrong hands.
Hackers have shown great expertise in invading systems and stealing precious information. Not too long ago we heard the story of Albert Gonzales, accused of orchestrating one of the biggest identity thefts in history after stealing more than 40 million credit card numbers. (Johnson, B., Par. 1) Just imagine how much damage it must have caused to the lives of many people, banks, and credit card companies.
For good or evil, databases have proven to be much more powerful as well as needful than most people can imagine. The effective use of databases can be implied in accuracy in reports; integrating companies and nations, and even bringing us more protection. Most importantly, it can help us record things from the past and have them maintained in the future, if we only understand their essentialness in today’s world.
REFERENCES
Ashford, W., (2009, September 24), FBI database holds records on 1.5 billion people. Computer Weekly, Par. 1. Retrieved September 24, 2009, from http://www.computerweekly.com/Articles/2009/09/24/237851/fbi-database-holds-records-on-1.5-billion-people.htm
Johnson, B., (2009, September 11), US credit card hacker pleads guilty to massive ID theft. Guardian.co.uk, Par. 1. Retrieved September 24, 2009, from http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/sep/11/hacking-usa
Smith, J., Revelator, An extract of the translation of the Bible. Book of Moses, The Pearl of Great Price of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Chapter 1, verse 39 (Salt Lake City, Utah: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints), Retrieved September 24, 2009, from http://scriptures.lds.org/en/moses/1
Keeping record of things has been a natural process since the beginning of times. As Information Technology has developed, the same has happened to the creation and storage of databases. Programs such as Microsoft Visio and Access allow me to draw and manage my own databases, creating relationships and making it easier to get information when I need. In my accounting class, for instance, we are learning how to create journals and records of every transaction into different ledgers. There is a reference number which is associated with the previous journal. This is a relationship. As I learn to do that, I see how easier it becomes if I know how to use programs such as QuickBooks to help me with storing data and turning it into information. Another great example of the use of databases is the Family History program of the Church. It is a huge database that keeps record of millions of our ancestors. Thanks to that, we can perform temple ordinances in their behalf and “bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of men.” (Moses Ch. 1, v. 39) The FBI also has a huge database that holds record of 1.5 billion people. One of the reasons they keep such track of things is to prevent further terrorist attacks. That’s what they call the “total information awareness system.” (Ashford, W. Par. 4) Privacy groups are opposed to such practice. “People have no idea of how many “digital footprints” they leave as they surf the Internet, travel and use their mobile phones.” (Ashford, W. Par. 4) At the same time that there is an intention to bring more security, there is also a great risk of immeasurable damage if a database ends up in wrong hands.
Hackers have shown great expertise in invading systems and stealing precious information. Not too long ago we heard the story of Albert Gonzales, accused of orchestrating one of the biggest identity thefts in history after stealing more than 40 million credit card numbers. (Johnson, B., Par. 1) Just imagine how much damage it must have caused to the lives of many people, banks, and credit card companies.
For good or evil, databases have proven to be much more powerful as well as needful than most people can imagine. The effective use of databases can be implied in accuracy in reports; integrating companies and nations, and even bringing us more protection. Most importantly, it can help us record things from the past and have them maintained in the future, if we only understand their essentialness in today’s world.
REFERENCES
Ashford, W., (2009, September 24), FBI database holds records on 1.5 billion people. Computer Weekly, Par. 1. Retrieved September 24, 2009, from http://www.computerweekly.com/Articles/2009/09/24/237851/fbi-database-holds-records-on-1.5-billion-people.htm
Johnson, B., (2009, September 11), US credit card hacker pleads guilty to massive ID theft. Guardian.co.uk, Par. 1. Retrieved September 24, 2009, from http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/sep/11/hacking-usa
Smith, J., Revelator, An extract of the translation of the Bible. Book of Moses, The Pearl of Great Price of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Chapter 1, verse 39 (Salt Lake City, Utah: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints), Retrieved September 24, 2009, from http://scriptures.lds.org/en/moses/1
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