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Web Security

Buying software online has its risks and the onus is not just on the retailer to provide secure access, but also on the consumer to protect their own identity and network.

Online businesses employ many different methods to protect their clients against personal information being stolen or sold or having their transactions compromised. As software can be an expensive purchase you want to be doubly sure to protect your transaction.

Companies that want to accept clients’ personal information and credit card details over the web need to have a Secure Socket Layer or SSL certificate. They will also usually employ firewalls or a router that diverts web traffic, usually through a static IP address.

Verisign, one of the more prominent web security companies, uses 128-bit encryption technology in its SSL certificates to ensure that customer data is cloaked and invisible to hackers and other information pirates.

Consumers should look for proven software companies’ logos on their favorite retailers’ web sites, to prove that the company is taking measures to protect sensitive information.

Here are some of the better known web security software and hardware companies on the market:

  • Verisign
  • Cisco
  • Check Point
  • Symantec
  • Websense
  • McAfee
  • Microsoft
  • Apple

Legitimate web retailers usually pour significant dollars into web security and protecting the interests of clients/members/shoppers. You should be sure that in the excitement of shopping for software you have not forgotten about your own security. Too many consumers connect to the internet using a cheap modem that came with their internet sign up kit. Further to that, a lot of them don’t update their antivirus security software and have no form of intrusion detection. The “always on” nature of most broadband connections is also a concern.

To protect yourself and your online business transactions, several steps need to be taken:
  • Invest in a software firewall or hardware firewall such as a router.
  • If available, obtain a static IP from your internet provider.
  • Ensure that antivirus software is up-to-date.
  • Don’t open suspicious emails or email attachments from retailers.
  • Turn off computer when not in use.
  • Make regular back ups of key information.
  • Disable hidden filename extensions.
  • Keep all your applications patched.