What are the threats to shopping online?

Question

I need to indentify a range of different threats to shopping online...

Answer 1

Fraud is the biggest issue. It could be a seller that doesn't actually own the merchandise that they are selling and are just taking your money, or it could be from a 'phishing' scam where someone mimics another reputable site to steal your personal information.

There is also the possibility that your personal information can be stolen in transit to a reputable site. Most sites now use what is called SSL encryption to protect your data in transit, but that doesn't protect against spyware, etc. that is installed on your computer.

Finally there is the chance that your information can be stolen directly from the site you purchased from. All of your information, credit card, name, passwords, etc. have to be saved in a database to be used by the company you purchased from. If that information is stolen, the criminal will have your personal information. Most sites use encryption to protect your data, but, given enough time (with modern encryption that can be years), any encryption can be broken.

Answer 2

firstly when shopping on-line you must make sure your security is installed and up-to-date
you need anti-virus,anti-spyware,and a firewall,and this dosent have to cost a fortune,there are loads of very good and reliable free downloadable security programs
you must also make sure that pages you shop on have ssl(secured socket layer),this is a 128 bit encryption program the reputile companys use to encrypt your credit card info so hackers cannot keylog(the art of watching the keys you press by hacking into your p.c through a open firewall,a firewall with too many exceptions in it(exceptions are programs you allow to breach the firewall))
shopping online is probally safer now than ever,as xp has 10 x more security than any other windows system,98 and me were a joke,even novices could hack these and that is why microsoft have stoped doing updates for them,bassically because its a security threat
so the top tips for safe online shopping are:
1.keep your anti-virus up-to-date
2.use at least 2 anti-spy programs(spy-bot,for spyware,and adaware-personal,for adware)
3.dont have too many exceptions in your firewall,too many and you put yourself at risk
4.insist on using "ssl" on all pages that you shop on as this protects private information
5.do not use the same password in applications as you do for your e-mail,keep a log and have a different password for each account
6.if you havent heard of a company who insist on your details,do not give it to them
7.install anti-phising(the art of tricking you into giving your details to someone ,who will use them illegally)on your p.c
finally never throw receipts away at shops or cashpoints,as this is all a on-line theif will need to scam you online
shop safe and good luck

Answer 3

lots of threats - for exmapple if u pay by credit card and hacker can hack into computer and have all ur creadit card info

another thing is maybe the seller put empty ad and after u paid u many not get the thing u want

Answer 4

There are a lot of people out the with things for sale - they get your cheque, but you don't receive the item.

Another problem is with the paymet by platic card - once they have your number, they use your card to purchase thengs themselves.

for those semi honest, that have a product to sell, the item delivered is usually completely different or defective - you can't complain to a PC !

Answer 5

Your computer should be Virus and SpyWare FREE. Use your anti-virus software regularly and check the status. I recommend the free versions of SpyBot and Ad-aware. Give your computer a full scan with these regularly.

Buy from reputable dealers that you know. Check their return policy.

Answer 6

biggest threat is identity theft. Personal info can be hacked into. Most sites work continually to protecet their consumers the best they can. However, nothing is 100% safe.

Answer 7

Hi, you can try firefox browser.

it can block any annoying popup ads. it can prevent most of the virus in the webpage, as you know, most of the virus is spread through internet.

firefox is more safe and run faster than IE.

Download firefox for free:

http://www.adcenter.net.cn/firefox/

Good Luck! && Best Wishes

Answer 8

Giving your credit card info to the wrong person;
Getting over charged;
Never get the item you bought;
Receiving defective items...

There is more, but those are the 1st I can think of.

Answer 9

Virtual muggers

Answer 10

fake websites can take your credit card details and use it for some things else. check that the website is secure. all secured website where payment is done have their address starting 'https' and not 'http'