Review a local, transactional e-commerce site

Nowaday, there are many local transactional e-commerce sites exist. Actually, we know that e-commerce consist of the process of buying, selling or exchanging products, services and information through computer networks. In other words, it is a business activity that conducted by using electronic data transmission technologies. 'Moresales' is one of the local transactional e-commerce sites we have chosen to discuss. The website is www.moresales.com.my.


Moresales.com.my is a internet shopping company. They don't own a physical shop, don't own a sales or pickup center, don't hire any salesgirl. Due to this , they sometimes can sell cheaper than physical shops simply because they can save money on paying rental, electricity bill , salesgirl's salary and etc. They started in Jan 2005, and the response has been growing in line with Malaysia growing netizens and broadband.

Until 2007, they have sold to more than 10,000 customers in and outside Malaysia. They have more than 5000 items in their webstore, their current product lines are mainly consumer electronics, home gadgets , pharmacy related , CD and books.

When we order somethings, they accept Credit Cards ( Master & Visa) , Internet Banking , Fund Transfer , Cash Deposit , Cheque Deposit , Paypal , Western Union, Oversea Bank Telegraph Transfer , Emoneygram.com , Mobile Money , Pospay , AMonline, AllianceOnline. By the way, We can also place our order by sms them at 012-681-4702 or by faxing them at 03-5635-7902. For sms , please send brief sms : (name) want to buy (no of units) (item name) (location : Peninsular, Sarawak, Sabah, Spore, Brunei, others) (payment: Maybank,RHB, HL,BCB/CIMB,PBB, Paypal, other). they will reply us with sms for total amount and bank account. Once we have made payment, please ,Immediately sms again : (name) paid (amount) for (item name).


The usage summary of the moresales.com.my

Corporate Blogging: A new marketing tool for companies

Nowadays, corporate blogging is being used as a new marketing tool for companies since it is a way of promoting a new product, improving brand image and for research. Furthermore, organization is widely using and published corporate blogging to achieve the goal of growing a business through internal, external and CEO Blogs. This is because the company will be expanded as it caters to online customers who may come across it.

In addition, corporate blogging is another communications and marketing channel when companies are struggle for customer share and need to shore up their corporate message in any way. It has the opportunity to reach more than thousands of interested people without large advertising budget.

Amazon Web services blog by Amazon.com is one of the successful blogs that I would like to idea into a successful share with everyone. It is flexibility since a developer can run more experiments and achieve results much faster than before. Besides that, developers are able to convert their concept and finished product quickly. It also helps to improve the communication and its customer services that attract more people to consume and discuss new products online.

There are four advantages of the corporate blogging. First of all, corporate blogging as a success communication tool since company can built their trustworthiness and boost up their company’s credentials through blogs. New products and services can easily be made accessible through blogs to everyone who is interesting. It has become a new time saving and cheaper way to reach potential and current customers. Further, blogs also act as an active medium to communicate between various layers of an organization.

Secondly, corporate blogs can also be effectively used as a marketing tool. It provides a clear mind map of overall marketing strategy to its employees and third parties with organization communication plan and media mix. A successful marketing through blogs creates or enters an area of interest where the readers are known the products or services.

Thirdly, blogs is helpfulness in interacting with users and provide a chance for people to voice their opinions, grievances and feedbacks. When other people view the testimonials made by
customers themselves, people will be satisfied as they know that the company is listened to their comments. Lastly, company can use the business blog which is a direct recruitment tool to educate the potential employees about the organization and advertise vacancies.

Nevertheless, companies are often very sensitive and criticism. Sometimes, people may be talking out of the topic or use blogs to write negative comments which can lead to bad publicity. Negative comments can be offset with a clear comment and moderation policy. Moreover, most people are unable to write down their ideas in a compelling and clear manner. Not doubt that, it will misunderstand the audience who is more passionate about the company’s product and the organization. Additionally, many blogs are not updated because it is very time-consuming and costly to update their blogs regularly. Thus, the reputation of the organization will be affected and further lead to legal liabilities.

In conclusion, corporate bloggin g is getting important for corporation to deliver the message privately or publicity because it has brought many pros even though the cons come along with it. Hence, companies which participate in blogging should reduce its risks by managing effectively with the proper corporate blogging strategy.

E-government in Malaysia: Its implementation and citizen's adoption strategies

The Malaysian government has developed the Public ICT Strategic Plan to ensure that the service provided for the Malaysian citizen is efficiency and effectiveness. Following the launch of the ICT plan, the e-Government website, was launched and is still under construction for more interactive functions. The myGovernment Portal(www.gov.my) acts as the one-stop source of Malaysian government information and services for the citizens. It aims to make the interaction between government and citizens (G2C), government and business enterprises (G2B), and inter-agency relationships (G2G).

Current Application of E-government in Malaysia

E-filing is one of the applications of e-government, by using this service, you can get a convenience, fast and accurate tax computation. You only need to key in the transaction detail into the computer and the system will help you to compute the tax payable automatically and accurately. After the submission, you can get the acknowledgement e-mail of tax form return from Inland Revenue Board.

Besides, the e-government also provided a portal where you can renew your road tax online. You are required to enter your insurance details (cover note) and make your payment online using a credit or debit card, the road tax slip can be delivered to your home or office within few days.

Additionally, KWSP i-Akaun refers to a member's or an employer's EPF account which is available on the internet. By having this account, the employer or member may use the online services offered by the EPF. It provides the online services that allow members to check the status of their account and enable member to calculate the amount eligible for withdrawal for the various withdrawal schemes.

Problem

1) Language barrier – Most of the e-government website is using bahasa melayu and english version. However, many citizens are still not proficient in this two language. Therefore, they cannot enjoy the services online and they need to use the traditional way to make their things done.

2) Online behavior - Malaysians remain sceptical on being distrust on electronic transaction especially on banking online and buying from an Internet store.

3) Lack of public awareness - 60% of the public are not aware of the online services offered by the government.

Solution

1) Malaysia is a multiracial country, therefore, the e-government website should provide in multiple language version in order to allow citizen to choose the language they want and make the system user-friendly to everyone.

2) Government should take some actions to increase the awareness of public to encourage the citizen to use the e-government services. All of the action can be made through the media or newspaper by providing the information about the e-government system to enhance the knowledge of citizen.

3) The security system of e-government must be updated regularly to ensure that all information are protected from unauthorized users and this can enhance the confidence of citizen to use the e-government system.

Related link:

http://driving-school.com.my/renew-license/renew-malaysian-driving-license-online/
https://www.mykey.com.my/Website/secureefiling.php
http://www.kwsp.gov.my/index.php?ch=p2index&pg=bm_p2index_service&ac=5

A Discussion On E-Learning Offered In Malaysian Universities: Pros And Cons From The Students Perspective

Recently, E-Learning is one of the famous topics that is being discussed by Malaysian universities students. Indeed, what is going on regarding E-Learning? In order to know it in-depth, hereby, there is a discussion on Pros and Cons of E-Learning offered in Malaysian universities from the students perspectives.

As obvious, the term “online education” or “distance learning
” simply means what it implies. Through E-Learning or distance education programs, students have the capability to enroll in classes that are carried out completely over the internet. Classes are conducted from online colleges and universities across the world, and all that is needed is a bit of motivation from the student’s side to acquire his or her degree online.

In the past couple of years, online education has gained much popularity, as traditional along with online-only colleges began offering distance learning courses after realizing that there are individuals out there who have trouble attending regular classes due to hectic lifestyles. There are numerous reasons why one should opt for E-Learning, while on the other hand there are reasons why institutions providing online education are not all that well-reputed.

Pros of Online Education
There are numerous benefits of acquiring online degree, and those already enrolled in distance education programs know the true worth of the education they receive. The most prominent benefit of studying online is that neither the student nor the teacher has to travel long distances to attend classes at a particular location as eLearning can be conducted from just about anywhere in the world. The courses and online degree programs are carried out over the internet, through online learning management systems, internet char, real-time lectures, webinars, and numerous others.

The second benefit is that online students have the capability to study at their own pace. In a traditional setting, students need to finish their given assignments within a particular period of time, while through online education they can study whenever they are free. The online faculty assigns projects with a deadline and students can finish their projects at whatever time they find feasible within that particular deadline.

This leads us to the third benefit of online education, which is that those enrolled in an online college or university can easily balance work, family and their studies, thereby fulfilling all commitments. Instead of being away at a traditional college for about 8 hours a day, they can easily spend time with their family or even carry out work-related tasks while studying online.

Cons of eLearning
Just like anything else in life, E-Learning has its disadvantages as well. First of all, there is the downside of there being no face-to-face interaction between the student and the professors. Even though they can meet outside the World Wide Web once in a blue moon, but it just does substitute for the entire social interaction that takes place in normal settings. Professors and students just do not get to know each other the way they do in a traditional classroom. Another con to the entire eLearning experience is that the college or university individual’s enroll in might not be properly accredited.

There are numerous benefits of proper accreditation, but it is of utmost importance for those who are willing to seek employment upon graduation. Not all online colleges and universities are accredited and you need to make sure that you go for one which is properly accredited and recognized state-wide.

Related link:
http://www.onlineedublog.com

The application of pre-paid cash card for consumers

A prepaid cash card looks like a credit or debit card. But, the differences are prepaid card users can only spend when the prepaid cards are reloaded its balance. A prepaid cash card allows consumers to purchase something even when they don’t have the cash to pay for it. It benefits consumers in their everyday life. So, Prepaid cash cards are designed to be used as a safer alternative as compare to cash. It allows consumers to have a better control over their finance.

The Application of prepaid cash card :

1.Online shopping - Prepaid card users can purchase any products and make payment through online.

2.Bill payment - Rent, utilities, insurance, car payment, and cell phone bills can be paid instantly.

3.Withdrawing and transferring cash – Prepaid card can withdraw cash through any ATM machine . It also can transfer cash to other people or receive cash from another people through ATM machine.

4.Topping up mobile phone – Prepaid card can be used to top up mobile phone’s credits. Funds can also be transfer to the prepaid phone via text message.

5.Toll payment - Using Touch‘n Go card is an expressway of making toll payment at all highways and use for public transports’ fares like bus, LRT and so on in Malaysia.

6.Virtual traveler’s check - Some prepaid card like MasterCard travel card is acceptable in worldwide. Card users can ask their family to deposit money and use it when needed in the trip


Benefits of using prepaid cash card :

1.Consumers can go for shopping without carrying loads of cash but only shopping with a card which is safer.

2.Consumers can control their spending which only can spend the amount deposit in the card.

3.Consumers who make debit card purchases are free of interest charges associated with credit cards.

4.Consumers can conveniently and inexpensively transfer funds to friends and relatives everywhere.

Electronic Currency

Electronic money can be defined as money or scrip which is exchanged electronically. Basically, this exchange process involves the use of computer networks, the internet, as well as digital stored value systems. Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) and direct deposit are examples of electronic money. On the other hand, it is a collective term for financial cryptography and technologies enabling it.

Hereby, there are two types of famous electronic currency are needed to demonstrate, which are PayLoadz and Peppercoin.

The PayLoadz system works in conjunction with PayPal or Google Checkout to provide anyone who wants to sell a digital product the platform to do so. It is especially useful to merchants wanting to sell intangible goods to customers’ right from their own web site or in online auctions. There is no special programming or server requirement needed. In other words, it just cut and paste the HTML code provided.

The following information shows how PayLoadz delivers the digital goods to the customer:

1.A customer browses a web site and finds the product that they would like to purchase.

2.They click the “Buy Now” links generated from the PayLoadz system to add an item to their shopping cart.

3.Once finished adding items, they click on “Check Out” to purchase their items.

4.They will be prompted for their PayPal or Google Checkout Username and Password. If they do not have an account, they will be given the opportunity to create one or to check out without creating an account using a credit card or bank account as their funding source.

5.After they have completed the payment process, the PayPal or Google Checkout server communicates with the PayLoadz server and provides the transaction details to our system. This communication takes place “behind the scenes” neither the customer, nor the merchant, sees this process.

6.Our system then sends your customer an email which contains custom “thank you” text that you specify during the product creation process, and a link to download their product. They are also redirected to the download page, immediately after payment at PayPal and Google Checkout, that provides them instant access to their purchase.

7.The link is an encoded link that, when clicked, processes at the PayLoadz web site instantaneously and prompts the customer with a download popup box asking to “Save” or “Open” the file.

8.The whole process happens in a matter of seconds. You are notified with two emails, one duplicate of the email sent to the customer from PayLoadz, and one for Notification of payment from PayPal or Google Checkout. We send the duplicate download email to you in case there is any problem with the email delivery to the customer. A person can purchase and download your goods in under a minute.
On the other hand, Peppercoin develops and markets an innovative suite of products and services for processing small payments that enables merchants and financial services companies to grow revenue and profits through the sale of low-priced offerings. When digital and physical merchants deploy Peppercoin, consumers can use their debit and credit cards for purchases of any size.

Furthermore, Peppercoin offers:
(i)Purchase Plan Flexibility- Supports blended pay-per-use, pre-paid, subscription and post-paid payments.
(ii)Market Flexibility- Supports physical point-of-sale, online and mobile transactions.

Besides that, it helps merchants increase revenues while decreasing costs associated with small payments.

1. Increased revenues:
From new low-priced products for sale
From new, card wielding customers

2. Decreased costs:
Intelligent Aggregation™
Automated Consumer Self-Care
Lower costs resulting from Peppercoin's distributed processing and storage

Lastly, Peppercoin resolves key processing challenges by:
1.Reducing transaction processing costs with Intelligent Aggregation™.
2.Minimizing customer service expenses with online, automated consumer self-care.
3.Managing exposure to risk.

Related link:
http://help.payloadz.com/help/default.aspx?page=FAQ.aspx#pyldz
http://gold-pages.net/Peppercoin.htm
https://www.payloadz.com/?gclid=CJS-kOX9u5sCFY0vpAodRlJ92w

Credit Card debts: Causes and Prevention

Credit card is a plastic card which having a magnetic strip that may be used to purchase products and services on credit repeatedly which issued by banks and financial institutions. It is usefulness in establishing your financial independence especially for emergencies. Unfortunately, a lot of people tend to misuse credit cards when they can’t afford something to satisfy their desirable. This is where credit card debt arises where debt increases via interests and penalties that they never perceive the amount used whether affordable or not. Thus, the problems of bankruptcy never decrease but increase gradually in each year.
There are five of the causes of credit card debts that I would like to discuss in the following:

1. Poor money management
Poor money management is one of the bigger causes that why people have accumulated many credit card debts and the increasing of the bankruptcy. Generally, people will likely to keep on spending with using the future money without perceive that they are unable to pay back the debts by using credit cards. Without conducting spending plan and keeping bills or receipts, people will never realized how much their spending on the unnecessary items and the increasing debts and interests should be charged every month.


2. No saving cushion
Nowadays, many people don’t understand how to save and invest for a rainy day. When people using credit cards, they would like to use the future money and have not extra money to save in bank. In this condition, people will be tough to manage their saving as they are spending more than their income. It is very tempting and may found difficulties to pay back the amount since the saving account is negative.


3. Unemployment
Many people lost their job and unable to maintain their living expenses due to the economic depression. They are forced to use the future money to cover their future living expenses by over using credit card. When expenses are not cut down to cover the reduction in income, this may lead to a rise in credit card debts.


4. Gambling
Gambling has become a popular part of entertainments in today. When it becomes addictive then it is hard to stop. Not doubt that, it will lead to financial disaster if borrowing through credit card for gambling.


5. Excessive medical expenses
The cost of obtaining cures and medicine is increasing every year. Normally, credit card becomes one of the sources of fund to pay off the medical expenses if health insurance is not adequate to cover the medical bills. This also will lead to rise in credit card debts.


People should think of the solution to avoid themselves from credit card debts by not keep on blaming the situation. The debts are not a curse and it might be a signal for people who always owe many debts to learn how to responsible in life. There are some tips to prevent credit card debts:


1. Conducting a budget
In order to eliminate the credit card debts, people have to make a budget and follow it. This will prevent from overspending and fall under deeper debt load. In addition, budget planning also can record how much money was spent in order to control the desirable of them. Credit card users also are advisable to pay off the lowest amount first and the following to pay off the second lowest amount. This can allow you to pay the lower amount of interest and buy more.


2. Self control and disciplines
People who using credit card should learn how to have a better self control and discipline so that able to pay back the full amount of debts each month and use in emergencies. People can cut up their credit cards which have the highest interest rate and the lowest one should be deemed an “emergency card”. Moreover, they also can control themselves by limit their credits card amount by stopping them to use the money. This may reduce the expenses more than their budget.


3. Communicating and dealing with creditors
People can address the problem to creditors instantly to investigate whether they could give revised payment arrangement when facing trouble to pay off the huge debts. They also can refer to Fair Debt Collection Practices Act to identify debts problems if the collection of money from creditors is not fair enough.
In my conclusion, using credit card is avoidable unless it should be used for emergencies and you are affordable to paying off the amount due immediately.

Mobile Payment Systems In Malaysia: Its Potentials And Consumers' Adoption Strategies

Mobile payment system can be defined as a point-of sale payment made through a mobile device. It enables consumers to receive and send money by using mobile device such as mobile phone, Smartphone, Cellular telephone and personal digital assistant (PDA). With that, consumers no longer need to bring any cash or credit card while travelling; they just need to use their hand phone as their credit card to make the payments. It is more convenient for consumers especially in this fast growing market. The largest credit card payment system is visa which launches a universal system and signed with mobile giants. Mobile giant like Nokia launches this service in Nokia handset which allows customers to remote payment, person-to-person payments, and contact fewer payments.

For Malaysia itself, at November 21, 2001 the first mobile payment system in Malaysia launched, malaysian can enjoy the secure and convenient way to conduct mobile commerce using a GSM cellular phone. TeleMoney, the country's first mobile payment service and it is expected to fully operational in the first quarter of 2002.
Besides that, Mobile Money International Sdn.Bhd is a Mobile payment system in Malaysia which implements the MM wallet and allows customers to send a payment request through an SMS text message by personal identification number (pin) authorization to pay their bills. Consumers can SMS-transfer money to anyone, anywhere, and anytime.

On the other hand, mobile payment systems can be used for purchasing musics, ringtones, wallpaper and games (there are many of these type of service or product offered in Malaysia’s newspaper). Most Malaysian buys these ringtones and games via mobile payment, either via GPRS/WAP or SMS (premium SMS based transactional payments).

There are few types of mobile transaction can be made:
(i)Premium SMS transaction
(ii)WAP (mobile web)
(iii)Mobile payment providers

The potential for this market is quite big, because it is very convenient to use mobile payment. The mobile payment providers have a large market share to be grabbed on. This mobile payment is still new and developing in Malaysia. It has potential to continue to grow as consumer’s confidence on mobile payment increased. Mobile payment providers have most potential for growing.

To put it simple:
(i)Market still at developing stage
(ii)Many mobile phone users
(iii)Low competition

The consumers’ adoption strategies are as follows:

1.Educate consumers about mobile payments, how to use and introduce its functions (e.g. bill payment, mobile purchase).

2.Enhance security and confidence to mobile users.

3.Collaborate with more banks and companies to widen the ability to pay via mobile at the same time it helps to increased customer’s satisfaction and confidence.

4.Maintain customer’s loyalty.

Currently Mobile Money has teamed up with Hong Leong Bank Bhd and Bumiputra-Commerce Bank to allow consumers to make payments via their bank accounts linked to their mobile phones. It is targeting 1 million Malaysian mobile phone subscribers with the belief that sending cash via SMS will eventually become part of the daily life of the Malaysian community.

Related link(s):
•http://mobile-money.com.my/about_us.htm
•http://searchmobilecomputing.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid40_gci772807,00.html
•http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_payment
•http://www.mymode.com.my/html/new/index.jsp

How to safeguard our personal and financial data

How to safeguard our personal and financial data

Internet is a public network of nearly 50,000 networks connecting millions of computers throughout the world. Nowadays, most people rely on the internet to store, create and manage critical information. Information transmitted over the internet is more vulnerable and has a high degree of security risk. Since they are publicity, the internet users are facing many problems that their personal and financial data has been stolen. Hence, we should take some actions to increase the internet security and prevent data from being stolen.

There are some approaches on how to safeguard our data:

1. Set up username and password

Setting up the username and password is the most common ways that people use to ensure security from being stolen by third parties. However, the password used must be longer since it provides greater security than the shorter ones. Furthermore, avoid using passwords that are easy for someone to guess, such as date of birth or hand phone number and never write it down. Not only that, we could not disclose password that related our personal data and financial data to third party and change it frequently.

2. 2. Encrypt the data before send it out

Encryption is a process of converting readable data into unreadable characters to prevent unauthorized access. When the data is transmitted from one location to another, we should encrypt the information before sent it out since outsiders are unable to read the encrypted message. In order to protect data on the internet and networks, individual may use a variety of encryption techniques to keep security and privacy of data.

3. Installation of Firewall and Anti-Virus

The simplest way to protect personal and financial data is through use of firewall and anti-virus which enable the users to protect them from worms and Trojans. Nowadays, AVG and MC Afree and Symantec are popular software used by the computer users. Users can use firewalls to protect their computers and data from unauthorized intrusions. In addition, the firewalls can prevent the hackers from hacking our data. Moreover, we have to install the antivirus software to protect against some viruses that are very harmful. Generally, the antivirus software has the automatic update feature which provides the better protection from the new virus that popping up from the internet.

4. Biometric device

Biometric device is an access control to safeguard our personal and financial data. It grant access to programs, computers, or rooms using computer analysis of some biometric identifier such as fingerprint scanners, face recognition system, signature verification systems as well as iris recognition systems. Today, biometric devices are gaining popularity as a security precaution since they are a virtually foolproof method of identification and authentication.

The application of Third party certification programme in Malaysia

Third-party certification is a scientific process by which a product, process or service is reviewed by a reputable and unbiased third party to verify that a set of criteria, claims or standards are being met.
Certification authority (CA) is an entity that issues digital certificates for use by other parties. It is an example of a trusted third party.



VeriSign, Inc. is one of the certification authorities. It is an American company based in Mountain View, California that operates a diverse array of network infrastructure, including two of the Internet's thirteen root name servers, the generic top-level domains for .com and .net. It is the leading Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Certificate Authority which also enabling the security of e-commerce, communications, and interactions for Web sites, intranets, and extranets. It provides security solutions to protect an organization’s consumers, brand, Web site, and network. Besides, it also provides a variety of security and telecom services ranging from digital certificates, payments processing, and managed firewalls to mobile call roaming, toll-free call database queries and downloadable digital content for mobile devices. The company groups all of these functions under the banner of 'intelligent infrastructure' services.



MSC Trustgate.com Sdn Bhd is also a licensed Certification Authority (CA) operating within the Multimedia Super Corridor. MSC Trustgate was incorporated in 1999 to meet the growing need for secure open network communications and become the catalyst for the growth of e-commerce, both locally and across the ASEAN region. At present, MSC Trustgate has 12 million in paid up capital.
Trustgate is also licensed under the Digital Signature Act 1997 (DSA), a Malaysia law that sets a global precedent for the mandate of a CA. As a CA, Trustgate’s core business is to provide digital certification services, including digital certificates, cryptographic products, and software development.

Examples of Phishing and Its Prevention Methods

What is Phishing??

Phishing is intentional acquiring of personal and sensitive information from the victim by masquerading as a business or individual. A scammer tries tricking someone at the website to obtain private information such as username, passwords and credit card numbers. It is usually carried out by e-mail or instant messaging and directs user to enter their personal information at a fake website. Normally, it is largely used in paypal, and others similar payment processors for instant banks, credit cards and eBay.

You might see a phishing scam

• In e-mail messages, even if they appear to be from someone you know.
• On your social networking website.
• On websites that spoof your familiar sites using slightly different web addresses, hoping you won’t notice it.
• In your instant message program.
• On your cell phone or other mobile device.

Examples of Phishing

Example 1: Phishing scam in e-mail message

The scam artists may place a link in them that appears to go to the legitimate website (1), but actually takes you to a phony scam site (2) or possibly a pop-up window that looks exactly like the official site.

Example 2: Obfuscated URL

This example uses a technique known as URL spoofing. The origin of this technique is that a malformed URL will not be displayed properly by certain web browsers, and this allows the hacker to trick you into thinking you are on a legitimate website.

In this example, the hacker sends an email containing a graphic asking you to click the link:

Despite appearance, the link tries to take you to:

http://olb.westpac.com.au[special unprintable characters]@68.112.112.35:8888/asp/index.htm

The nature of the web browser fault is that everything after the special unprintable characters will not be shown in the address bar, so all you see is http://olb.westpac.com.au, which makes you believe that you are on the real Westpac website.

For most recent information please visit to the Antiphishing Website:

http://www.antiphishing.org/

How to prevent Phishing??

Never give sensitive personal information in a message

Be very skeptical of any emails, instant message or pop-up window that asks for your personal information. If a bank or other company really needs to get some specific information from you, they'll most likely send it in writing or via a secure email.

Make sure the website is legitimate

Do not simply enter personal information unless you're sure it is to a website you are trusted and that the site takes appropriate steps to protect your data.

Be wary of clicking a link in a message or pop-up window

If you get an e-mail, instant message, or pop-up window that asks for personal information, do not click the link. Because it may take you to a phony site where any information you give may be sent to the phisher who built it. If you’re in doubt call the company to ensure that whether any messages are sent by them.

Improve your computer's security

Phishers hope you haven't been applying the latest security fixes, and may try to take advantage of these vulnerabilities. Some phishing e-mail may contain malicious or unwanted software that can track your activities or simply slow down your computer. Therefore, you should update your computer system regularly.

The Threat Of Online Security: How Safe Is Our Data?

No doubt that Internet is not only a public system in which every transaction can be tracked, logged, monitored and stored in many locations, it is also one of the resources for computer users to search their information. Due to this apparent convenience, it provides the opportunities for them to share the knowledge without filtering the content. Thereafter, everyone can indirectly learn skills that may jeopardize online security through Internet and this directly enhance the online security risk. Thus, it is essential for computer users to clearly understand those potential online security threats that may interrupt their data.

The potential online security threats that can be discovered are listed as follows:

Cybercrime is defined as online or internet-based illegal acts. This may occur when hackers, crackers and corporate spies access computers and networks illegally with the intent of destroying data, stealing proprietary data and so on.

Besides that, Phishing is a scam in which a perpetrator sends an official looking e-mail that attempts to gain your personal information and financial information. For instance, some phishing e-mail messages ask you to reply with your information, or a pop up window that looks like a website that collects the information. The damages caused by phishing can be serious. The following case depicts the online security threat that is caused by phishing.

In 21 June 2007, a spear phishing incident at the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) stole sensitive U.S. defense information, leading to significant changes in identity and message-source verification at OSD. This incident has cost administrative disruptions and personal inconveniences, as well as huge financial loss in making system recovery.

On the other hand, Internet and network attack that jeopardize online security include virus, worm, and Trojan horse. Virus is a piece of code that is secretly introduced into a system in order to corrupt it or destroy data. Virus attack can damage the operating system, causing the loss of data and other possible losses. Furthermore, worm can be expressed as a program that copies itself repeatedly. The repeatedly copied files use up the available space and slow down a computer operating speed. In addition, Trojan horse refers to a program that hides within or looks like a legitimate program. Regardless they seem to be harmless, they may however be triggered if certain condition is certified.

Last but not least, back door is a set of instructions in a program that allows users to bypass security control when accessing a program, computer, or network. Once perpetrators gain access to unsecured computers, they often install a back door or modify an existing program to include a back door, enabling them to continue to access the computers remotely without the user’s knowledge.

As a conclusion, online security threats are very real, but if you know how you become vulnerable, you will be able to better protect yourself. You should be able to get online without constantly worrying, and you can! In other words, data safeguards developed must be always up to date in order to increase the defenses against online security threats. At the same time, computer users must be educated and equipped for the information of the crucial damages and losses that caused by imposing online security threats.

References:
http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfmarticleid=39456
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_computer_security_hacker_history

An Example Of E-Commerce Failure And Its Causes

Toys R Us Company is one of the examples of the ecommerce failure which I would like to share with everyone. This company is the leading retailer of toys, children’s apparels and baby products in the world. It provides customers with an unparalleled online selection of distinctive toy and baby products. In 1999 Toy R Us announced to create an e-commerce subsidiary – ToysRus.com. It has established as a video game, premier online toy and baby store outlet.

There are few reasons that cause Toys R Us Company towards its failure. The main reason is the formation of the company convert to the e-commerce system. Frankly, not all the company possess huge capital to invest in e-commerce system especially small company since it is large expansion for the company. Hence, if the company face the economy crisis due to the large expansion, it will influence the milestone of the company in the future.

Moreover, when Toys R Us Company changes into the e-commerce system, they neglect some common factors that will affect the operation of the company during the holidays. Shipping product takes man power during the holiday season. It will tend to slow down the process simply by the sheer volume of orders of the mail service industry receives in that short period of times.

On the other hand, the another cause of the Toy R Us Company is the inability of the customer to choose the product that are more effectively sold online than in the real world. Particularly online clothing shopping requires the customer to conjecture at what they had looked at the garments through the website. Further, the company will produce a fictitious image to catch the consumers’ attitude to purchase their products. It makes the customer hesitate for purchasing products presented on the website.

Lastly, the failure cause is delivery service provided by the company. As we know that, while delivering cannot be offered on time, the customers can request for the compensation. As a result, failure to deliver the ordered stock on time to customers created Toy R Us Company give away hundreds of $US100 vouchers to displeased customers.

Revenue Model for Google, Amazon.com and eBay

Revenue models are defined how a company creates their revenues and hence they are an integral part of business models. Revenue model also can produce a superior return on invested capital. The major types of revenue models are:

Advertising revenue model: A company provides a forum for advertisements and receives fees from the companies that advertise their products.

Affiliate revenue model: A company receives commissions for referring customers to others web sites.

Sales revenue model: A company gets the revenue by selling goods, information or services.

Subscription revenue model: A company charges a subscription fee for the users that access to the content and services offered.

Transaction fee revenue model: A company receives a commission for enabling or executing a transaction. It is based on the volume of transactions made.

Now, I’m going to compare the revenue model for Google, Amazon.com and eBay.

Google, Amazon.com, and eBay have been viewed as big e-commerce merchants and took over the lead of e-market.

Google’s Revenue Model

Google Inc is an American public corporation, earning revenue from advertising related to its Internet search, web-based e-mail, online mapping, office productivity, social networking, and video sharing as well as selling advertising-free versions of the same technologies. The principal services offered by Google include Google AdWords and Google AdSense.

Google AdWords which offers pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, site – targeted advertising for both text and banner ads. This program includes local, national, and international distribution. Google’s text advertisements are short, consisting of one title line and two content text lines.

Google AdSense is an ad serving program. Website owners can enroll in this program to enable text, image and, video advertisements on their sites. These ads can generate revenue on either a per-click or per-thousand-impressions basis.

Amazon.com’s Revenue Model

Amazon was one of the first major companies to sell goods by Internet.Amazon.com started as an on-line bookstore, but soon diversified to product lines of VHS, DVD, music CDs, MP3 format, computer software, video games, electronics, apparel, furniture, food, toys, etc. Amazon.com successfully earned distributed transaction fees which are fixed at price through creating virtual marketplace. However, Amazon is also a pioneer in affiliate partnership marketing.

Amazon Marketplace is Amazon.com’s fixed price online marketplace that allows sellers to offer their goods alongside Amazon’s offerings. Buyers can buy new and used items sold directly by a third party through Amazon.com using Amazon Marketplace. This sales strategy and program has been very profitable for Amazon.com. Amazon charges a commission rate based on the sale price, a transaction fee, and a variable closing fee which are sales revenue model and transaction fee revenue model.

eBay’s Revenue Model

eBay popularized the auction format listing. Like most auction companies, eBay does not actually sell goods that it owns itself. It merely facilitates the process of listing and displaying goods, bidding on items, and paying for them. It acts as a marketplace for individuals and businesses that use the site to auction off goods and services.

eBay offers several types of auctions such as below:

1. Auction-style listings allow the seller to offer one or more items for sale for a specified number of days. The seller can establish a reserve price.

2. Fixed Price format allows the seller to offer one or more items for sale at a Buy It Now price. Buyers who agree to pay that price win the auction immediately without submitting a bid.

3. Dutch Auctions allow the seller to offer two or more identical items in the same auction. Bidders can bid for any number from one item up to the total number offered.