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.
http://www.computerweekly.com/Articles/1999/07/22/179126/making-e-commerce-secure.htm.

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.