Consumers fear shopping online

User Comments: 17

1. January 18, 2006 5:51 PM
   DragonMaster said:
   The thing they should learn is that the fake PayPal, eBay, etc. mails they receive doesn't make the shops less safe.
   Reply
2. January 18, 2006 8:22 PM
   gamingmage said:
   They don't have to be afraid as long as they're informed. I understand where they are coming from but hey it's their choice not ours.
   Reply
3. January 18, 2006 8:36 PM
   Eleventeen said:
   I guess as long as people can identify fake websites, let alone fake emails, they will be ok. I know they should also check a couple other safety things before they buy, but still, I still don't think they have to be that afraid. I personally think it's pretty safe. I've been buying things online for quite a while and nothing has happened. I think some people would just rather drive to a store instead of shopping online, and that's fine.
   Reply
4. January 18, 2006 11:03 PM
   cyrax said:
   I completely understand this fear since these risks are real. The legal frameworks is still spotty, so it will be a while til people fully trust the system.
   Reply
5. January 18, 2006 11:32 PM
   MonkeyMan said:
   I wouldn't blame them. With so many hackers around these days, there is a high chance that you could be hacked while using your credit card online. Until better service packs, and secured operating systems are released, its the smart thing to do these days.
   Reply
6. January 19, 2006 12:04 AM
   nathanskywalker said:
   Yeah, just little things like [url]http://www.ecommerce-guide.com/article.php/2219291[/url] that....and mabye most computer geeks and such could tell if something is a scam. But for those who still don't completely understand the internet, and that not all ads saying "your computer has spyware" are true, it probably would be better for them to "play it safe".
   Reply
7. January 19, 2006 1:22 AM
   exscind said:
   If the information of this article is valid, then that must mean the average person spent more shopping online. There was an article recently (I believe posted on techspot too) talking about online sales booming with Thanksgiving and the Christmas holidays. And since this article is stating that fewer people shopped online, but online sales increased, then the only conclusion is that the people that did shop online spent way more than before.And I guess that should not be surprising. In the past, online shopping was merely catered to a small group of audience. But now, one can buy entire systems of parts from multiple stores, clothes, accessories, you name it.Consumers fear shopping online is also not a surprise. These days, all the news are saying are how many flaws and bugs Microsoft have, how viruses and hackers are prominent everywhere. Instead of igniting the fuse and run with it, there should be discussions (such as here) or articles raising awareness and the actual possibility (which is low) of getting hit by a bug/hacker/virus.
   Reply
8. January 19, 2006 7:19 AM
   asphix said:
   Makes sense. I'm becoming increasingly paranoid.. even if it is for little direct reason. I've never had my security compromised, or even a close call. But, the thought of someone stealing my banking information and having a weekend of fun at my expense scares me.It hasnt resulted in not making purchases online, but it has resulted in my changing my passwords very frequently.
   Reply
9. January 19, 2006 10:54 AM
   fury said:
   When you do everything right (secure your computer, research the online store before you buy, etc) online shopping can be (CAN BE, not necessarily always IS) quite a bit safer than shopping with your credit card in a store. e.g. noone can mug you just after you check out/walk out the store to your car Some banks also add an extra layer of security and give you a special number for your credit card account that you can only use online.
   Reply
10. January 19, 2006 12:08 PM
    mentaljedi said:
    [b]Originally posted by MonkeyMan:[/b][quote]I wouldn't blame them. With so many hackers around these days, there is a high chance that you could be hacked while using your credit card online. Until better service packs, and secured operating systems are released, its the smart thing to do these days.[/quote]Do you want to wait for the rest of your life? I think its pretty obvious what is real and what isn't. Hackers you can't really help but false offers etc... you can.
    Reply
11. January 19, 2006 12:15 PM
    YAMO! said:
    I ended up buying several things not online this holiday season, not because of security but because online couldn't beat the local prices/convenience (dvd player, hey the maker happens to be local!-), lcd tv (micro center again happens to be local to me otherwise it would have been online)... But even other purchases I may have made in the past on eBay I didnt because it just seemed not worth the hassles/risk (is the item really new, why are people bidding up to and past recent sale prices, etc).But otherwise I have no qualms buying online from a major site. Your credit card should protect you, and you should look at your statements itemized list every month!Like other people said, the consumer has to be informed/educated. The survey is probably alarmist simply because of the numbers of people doing more online, but not necessarily ready for that next step.
    Reply
12. January 19, 2006 12:27 PM
    PanicX said:
    [url=http://www.computerworld.com.au/index.php/id;511628454;r
    lcomp;1]The Risk is Never Zero[/url]Of course you can significantly reduce the risk of your online endevers through safe practices. Unfortunately even grossly popular companies like Bank of America and Citigroup have had their data lost or stolen. Unfortunately this isn't limited to online sales but simply having accounts at these establishments.
    Reply
13. January 19, 2006 1:50 PM
    Mictlantecuhtli said:
    Credit cards (and whole wallets) can get stolen in Real Life™ too. However, I wouldn't shop online without secure connection.
    Reply
14. January 19, 2006 5:22 PM
    Cy6erpuke said:
    Look at the age group. Sorry, but who cares what the old people think. Last year, they were still scared of computers. Do they really still have the spending power to matter in a survey..... I don't agree with the target group here, someone should think before quoting senseless stats.
    Reply
15. January 19, 2006 6:30 PM
    Race said:
    With so much emphasis on security these days, and with pretty much a steady stream of scams and alerts on exploits, I can see why. I found it interesting that the 55 and older crowd were the most concerned. I'm pretty sure there may be some specific reasons for this.It's true that no site is 100% secure, so knowledge and being an informed shopper becomes essential.(see links below)[url]http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/online/cybrsm
    t.htm[/url][url]http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Publicati
    ns/PM1789G.pdf[/url]
    Reply
16. January 20, 2006 2:22 PM
    Vaulden said:
    Everything I've read shows that online shopping is safer than shopping at stores... as long as you see the 128-bit encryption you're fine (not 100% but nothing in life is 100%). Heck for a time years back they were alerts to people about card skimmers being used in restraints, you give the card to the waiter they would skim it and photo copy it... then sell the info to the people could make your card with a different name. Combine technology like that, pickpockets, and burglars in the parking lots... I'll shop online instead.
    Reply
17. January 25, 2006 7:17 PM
    michelena2000 said:
    If you don't feel safe shopping on line, then don't! Simple as that.
    Reply

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