Corporate Blogging: A new marketing communication tool for companies

A corporate weblog is published and used by an organization to reach its organizational goals. The blog that was posted and commented is easy to reach and follow due to centralized hosting and generally structured conversation threads. There are two types of blog, which are internal blogs and external blogs. An internal blog generally accessed through the corporation’s intranet. It is a weblog that allows any employees to view. The internal blog may encourage employees’ participation, free discussion of issues, collective intelligence, direct communication between various levels of an organization and a sense of community. It is mainly used as a tool for collaboration and knowledge management. An external blog is publicly available weblog where company employees, teams, or spokespersons can share their views. It is often used to announce new products and services, to explain and clarify policies, or to react on public criticism on certain issues. Consumers can know the latest product of the company through the corporate blog. Besides, the consumer also can get know of the information about the company product or services from the blog.

As the technology continually grows broader and wider, many companies started to have their corporate blogs, either internal blog or external blog. For example, PayPal Company created a blog with the title of “The PayPal Blog” as a forum for PayPal employees know the consumers better. It allows us to connect with the leaders of their company and most importantly, they want to hear our thoughts. PayPal Company has adopted Charlene Li's blogger code of ethics for their blog. For instance, they will acknowledge any mistakes and correct them promptly. Besides, they will reply some chosen and appropriate comments from the users as prompt as possible. The information posted on the blog is link directly to the original source of online references and materials. It can increase the efficiency of PayPal Company and make the consumers have better knowledge about the company. In addition, company can solve the problem and conflict between the company and consumers more efficiently.


Corporate blogs not only bring the advantages for consumers, but for the corporate as well. The blog creates new opportunities for the company to meet other new customers. It is flexible enough to allow a dialogs, a conversation and sharing idea of the company products. Company can build a community with people who are interested in their products or services through the corporate blog. Furthermore, corporate blogging gives the company a competitive advantage that cannot be ignored. According to the research, corporate blogs are giving corporations the ability to connect with their audiences in a personal level, to build trust, collect valuable feedback and foster strengthen relationship between the consumers and company. In today economy, corporate blogging can have an incredible marketing for the company for free rather than spending an enormous marketing budget. However, not everyone is in favor of corporate blogging. Some employees are worry that they will be warned or fired if the blog they wrote is found inappropriate. The senior managers are worry that their staffs will disclose the company’s commercial secrets even though some guidelines are given for the employees in writing the blog. This is especially true for the public listed companies due to the stock market disclosure rules that they need to comply with.

As a conclusion, corporate blogging is useful for company. They can expand their business over the entire world through blogging. However, there are some disadvantages that the company need to aware of. They have to make sure that their corporate blogging is running in a proper way and complies with the legal requirements stated in the corporate law.

A review on a post on Legal from My E-Commerce blog ~> UK to get tough with illegal downloader

On the internet, copyright infringement is quite common and a lot of disputes arise. From the post, people who like to download illegal music and movies online may have to take notes because UK government is working on a new law to have this illegal downloader’s internet connection to be cut off.

There are 6 million people are estimated to download files illegally every year in UK in a practice that music and film companies claim is costing them millions of pounds in lost revenue annually. A lot of people download illegally is because they don't realize the harm of their action and they only think about themselves. When people illegally download music and movies online, they are taking money away from the artist who rightfully earned it.

Unfortunately, nowadays technology comes quicker than we are prepared for; too quickly to decide what’s right and wrong and how to deal with it. People should realize that downloading copyrighted music and movies off the internet is illegal. Some people say that music and firm companies get enough money out of CDs and DVDs they sell in the stores, but the day is almost here where more people get their music and movies online than from a physical store.

Under the new proposed new law, Internet Service Providers (ISP) will be required to adopt a three-strike system. An email warning will be sent the first time a user illegally download copyrighted media files, while the second infringement will result in a suspension. For a third offence, the ISP will terminate the user’s contract. ISP who failed to enforce the rules could be prosecuted and details of customers suspected in illegal downloading can be made available to the courts.

Therefore, it is hope that people will stop downloading music and movies illegally after they know the new law. The copyright laws protect music and visual art materials. So, it is our responsibility to honor those laws and respect the artists and the music.

link-http://ecommerze.blogspot.com/search/label/Legal

Things to take note to prevent E-Auction Fraud when a consumer participating in an e-auction

Auctions are a market mechanism by which a seller places an offer to sell a product and buyers make bids sequentially and competitively until a final price is reached. Electronic auctions (e-auctions) are auctions conducted online.

Among all e-commerce activities conducted over the internet, fraud is most serious in e-auctions. The largest internet auctioneer, eBay, has introduces several measures in an effort to reduce fraud.
The following are some of eBay’s antifraud measures:

~User identity verification

eBay uses the services of Equifax to verify user identities for a $5 fee. Verified eBay User, a voluntary program, encourages users to supply eBay with information for online verification.

~Authentication services

Product authentication is a way of determining whether an items is genuine and described appropriately.

~Grading services

Grading is a way of determining the physical condition of an item, such as “poor quality” or “mint condition”. The actual grading system depends on the type of item being graded. Different items have different grading systems.

~Feedback forum

The eBay feedback forum allows registered buyers and sellers to build up their online trading reputations. It provides users with the ability to comment on their experiences with other individuals.

~Insurance policy

eBay offers insurance underwritten by Lloyd’s of London. Users are covered up to $200, with a $25 deductible.

~Escrow services

For items valued at more than $200 or when either a buyer or seller feels the need for additional security, eBay recommends escrow services. With an easy-to-access link to a third-party escrow service, both partners in a deal are protected.

~Nonpayment punishment

eBay implemented a policy against those who do not honor their winning bids. To help protect sellers, a first-time nonpayment results in a friendly warning. A sterner warning is issued for a second-time offense, a 30-day suspension for a third offense, and indefinite suspension for a fourth offense.

~Appraisal services

Appraisers use a variety of methods to appraise items, including expert assessment of authenticity and condition and reviewing what comparable items have sold for in the marketplace in recent months.

~Verification

One way of confirming the identity and evaluating the condition of an item is through verification. With verification, neutral third parties will evaluate and identify an item through a variety of means.

Review a Local E-Commerce Site

E-commerce is being defined as the buying and selling of products or services over the world wide net. With the advanced changes in technology, the transactions conducted electronically over the internet are getting common as day pass. One of the e-commerce sites in Malaysia is Lelong.com.my.

Lelong.com.my is established by Interbase Resources Sdn. Bhd. which is a fully internet based company that provides web services to the public. It is one of the largest e-commerce companies in Malaysia with business in B2C (Business-to-Consumer), C2C (Consumer-to-Consumer) and Online Community Building with more than 8 years in the internet e-commerce industry.

Lelong.com.my provides products and services to the public over the net. Users can buy and sell products or services via Lelong.com.my. It uses an international comparison that everyone is familiar with. The style and function of Lelong.com.my is similar to the international site, eBay.com. It powers a healthy and secure way for trading in Malaysia.

The idea of Lelong.com.my in Malaysia has taken off with great response. Users feel a sense of belonging with a local flavor and constantly keep in contact with the site to give feedback which either in positive or in negative. Starting based on C2C transactions, Lelong.com.my is now moving to become a channel for B2C relationships. Many distributors have realized the power of Lelong.com.my and are now using it to trade and grow their business.

The major factor that has brought many users to Lelong.com.my is it allows users to dispose of the items that are not currently in use which are either second hand or new items. The track record for selling items through Lelong.com.my is good, which is approximately 70% of all items posted on the site are sold. Therefore, users stand a good chance in obtaining a successful transaction. In addition, there is a variety of products and services that offered in Lelong.com.my. The interface is very user-friendly and easy to use. Therefore, user feels comfortable while trading with other members.

Lelong.com.my is suitable for different type of people. The members of Lelong.com.my come from all walks of life; with different races, age groups, jobs, salary structures, location and interests. Besides, Lelong.com.my provides a safe and neutral environment to complete user online transactions. Users can safeguard their online trading from as little as RM 2.00 per trade which can then manage every aspects of the settlement process and remove risk from their online transaction.

The site design and layout of Lelong.com.my are attractive, clear and user-friendly. The font and color of product title used are nice-looking and tidy. The products that offered in Lelong.com.my are classified accordingly in different type of categories and appear on the site according to the alphabet. This is convenient for user to search for the items that they need in short time. Besides, the download speed and the accessibility of search engines of Lelong.com.my are fast and efficiency. It allows user to search items or products in a short time to avoid user from feeling annoying and irritating while waiting the processing of the web. In addition, Lelong.com.my has offered one link that particularly in favor of female user, “Ladies”. The products provided include cloths, accessories, shoes, jewelry, cosmetic, personal care and etc. This idea attracts more female users to visit Lelong.com.my.

The existence of Lelong.com.my brings lots of advantages and convenience to the public. With the mission statement of Lelong.com.my, "Serving the community and bringing a high standard of quality into homes and businesses by providing an avenue for on-line trading at a low cost", people can enjoy a secure online shopping at home anytime at a low cost that can fulfill their needs and wants always.

E-Government in Malaysia: Its Implementation so far and Citizen's Adoption Strategies

What is E-Government? Does Malaysia implement this technology around the states? What are the citizen’s adoption strategies? Most of the people are still in doubt of what E-Government is, well, let me explain what actually it is.

E-Government actually refers to the use of internet technology as a platform for switching over the information, offering services and transacting with citizens, businesses, and other arms of government. It may be applied by legislature, judiciary, or administration, in the sense to improve the delivery of public services, the internal efficiency, or processes of democratic governance.

The E-Government systems that have been implemented in Malaysia so far include electronic engagement, and electronic consultation. E- Engagement is winning the public in the policy process by the use of electronic networks whereas E-Consultation refers to communication between public servants and the citizenry and interest groups. Besides, E-Controllership which consists of the potential to manage the cost, performance and services of an organization electronically is included in the E-Government systems too.

The Malaysian citizens can renew their driving license as well as road tax through the E-Government site. In addition, E-Government provides information of education, employment, travel and transport, legal matters, social welfare and community, health and other services for the Malaysian citizens. They can gather the information of what they wish to know anytime, anywhere from the E-Government site.

Although the implementations of E-Government services do bring a lot of convenience to the citizens, there are some barriers toward the adoption of these services, for example, technology and security barrier. In order to gain the confidence of the citizens on the services provided, the Government should implement a stable and better technical infrastructure to reduce the technology and security risks expose to the citizens.

Electronic currency -> Payloadz

Electronic money (also known as e-money, electronic cash, electronic currency, digital money, digital cash or digital currency) refers to money or scrip which is exchanged only electronically. Typically, this involves use of computer networks, the internet and digital stored value systems. Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) and direct deposit are examples of electronic money. E-micropayment systems function as small online payments, typically under US $10. One of the companies with e-micropayment products is Payloadz.

Payloadz offers a secure Digital Goods eCommerce service for anyone to sell downloadable goods online. Payloadz is a service to sell intangible products such as softwares, e-books, digital art, manuals, articles and files. It is an automated delivery service. This means that seller can go on vacation without worrying about sending download links to the consumers every time a payment is made. These files can be either downloaded via hyperlink or sent via e-mail based upon seller's product.

Payloadz has an easy integration with PayPal. Payloadz services can be used depending upon seller’s sales and product’s file size. Payloadz also has a system to let other's sell your products as an affiliate. Payloadz runs very much like ClickBank, but the difference is that it is free to join and has some limitations of course in comparison with ClickBank.

Payloadz is a no brainer online money making tool.

• If you have digital products, you can upload it to Payloadz , create a sales page and drive traffic to it or simply sell your product in Payloadz store .
• Other Payloadz users may have interest in promoting your product as an affiliate at your desired commission rate. Also referring in an affiliate is easy as 1-2-3. Simple affiliate registration and let your products be sold by others in a breeze.
• If you don't have a product yet, you can browse for a profitable product and sell it by just having a link to its sales page and get your commissions directly to your Paypal account .
• You will also be paid for visitors clicking your Payloadz ads, that serves as a Pay Per Click Ads. Earn with out efforts, just endorse.
• You can also refer another Payloadz user, and get commissions on their earnings.

A review on a post on e-tailing from My E-Commerce blog.

Traditionally, Touch ‘n Go cards are for transportation and toll collection. Besides, the Touch ‘n Go card can be used to pay parking fees and transportation fees such as Komuter Tourist Pass (KTM), Putra LRT or Start LRT and etc. With the Touch ‘n Go card, we can save the time from finding for the auto pay machine as we just need to use the card by sensed it at the In or Out entry of the shopping mall parking. With the technology improving, the Touch ‘n Go cards are expanding their applications and services towards the retail purchase, starting with particularly the fast-food industry. The cards are available at the outlets such as A&W, Burger King, Dunkin’ Donut, 7-eveven, Carrefour hypermarkets, Caltex convenience stores and Cinneleisure. We can use the cards to buy burger, doughnut or fastfood from the available 21 outlets.

According to the post, “at present, the cards are used mainly for toll payment only”, therefore the Touch ‘n Go company sets a target to increase 5% to 10% of the cardholders to use it for retail. Besides, they hope to increase the number of retail outlets by 20 a month and even could be more than 150 of such outlets throughout the country by year’s end. In addition, consumers need not worry about the hidden cost because all the chain stores have an agreement that there will be no extra charges for those using Touch ‘n Go cards compared to those using cash. Touch ‘n Go company improves the services to public so that consumers will feel convenient and safety when using the cards. How to measures the safety provided by the company? It is a bit similar with Credit Card Company, if the consumers inform the company immediately when the card is stolen by others or lost, the card will be blocked and the company will issue a new card with the remaining value. Consumers do not have to worry they will suffer from a huge amount of loss even though they had top up the value of card up to Rm1000.

Since the company has provided so many flexibility and excellent services to us, as a consumer, we should get a Touch ‘n Go card. We can use the card anywhere results from the increasing outlets that available for using the card. Besides, we also can have a delicious meal even though we do not enough money because Touch ‘n Go card can help us settle our problem. If the aim of the company can be attained, which is to increase the amount of cardholders to use for retail, the using of Touch ‘n Go card to buy fast-foods in Malaysia is no longer a dream or an aim but is a reality.

As a conclusion, using Touch ‘n Go card do bring a lot of advantages to us and we should fully utilize the services provided by the company. The dream of the Touch ‘n Go company can be achieved if the services of the card can be improved from time to time. When everyone is holding a Touch ‘n Go card on the hand, the card is as success as the Hong Kong octopus card.

Credit Card debts: Causes and Prevention.

Credit card debt is an example of unsecured consumer debts. Credit Card Debt results when a client of a credit card company purchases an item or service through the card system and he or she does not use the card in a proper way. One of the reasons that consumer easily get into credit card debt is the flexibility of credit card provided. For example, credit card allows people make large purchases such as cars or luxury products without paying lump sum at the time they purchase. In other words, it allows consumers use the products or services now and pay later. Therefore, it causes consumers purchase something with credit card without proper consideration before buying. In addition, the due date for credit card payment is up to 12 months, the rest of its existence they end up paying off interest. The debt can be accumulated and increased via interest and penalties charged by the credit card company when the consumers do not pay for the money they have spent. Credit card also offers “incentive” benefits such as the reward program and etc. Credit card’s holders can use their points to get some rewards such as free travel, voucher or any other program.

Credit card can be a great convenience and provides the safety of not dealing with cash, which is more easily lost. Furthermore, consumers feel safety by using credit card to make purchases as they are offered protection under the Consumer Credit Act and they can often get the money back in a fraudulent purchase that any other payment method is unable to provide such protections. Credit Card Company holds liability for unauthorized transaction. Consumers need not bear the huge amounts of lost if their cards are lost or stolen and somebody racks up big charges. They are only liable for $50 even though they do not notice it for 90 days or more or report it immediately. Besides, credit card Company also liable for transaction which is still in disputes process. Consumers can simply contact their credit card company to put a hold on payment if they realized something goes wrong on the payment. They will then follow a dispute process but they would not be liable for the transaction until everything is settle. Overall, the credit card service provides many advantages for the consumers and causes them rely on credit card to make purchases without aware of the credit card debt.

There are some ways to control the debt. Firstly, break the habit of paying only the minimum required of each month. Credit card holders are advised to pay more than half because the longer time they take to repay the charges, the more interest they make and the less cash they have in their pocket. Besides, consumers should check on their outstanding balances regularly instead of check the balance once for a month. It’s too late for them to regret if they have spent too much and out of their ability to pay off the balances. Consumers should eliminate emotional shopping to avoid overspend. They can improve their self disciplines by better management of financial and plan for every significant expenses if possible. In addition, they can try to limit the number of credit cards they possess and the way they use the credit cards. This is because the more credit cards they have, the more they will spend.

Although credit card brings usefulness to the card holders in some ways, it always carries debts at the same time. Therefore, the credit card holders should use the card in proper way so that they can always stay far from the credit card debt.

Mobile Payment Systems in Malaysia: Its Potentials and Consumers' Adoption Strategies

Nowadays, with the advancement in technology changes, mobile phone not necessary must only be a communication and entertainment tool, it also can be used as a credit card as well. Consumers can make payment via SMS (Short Messaging Services) by using their mobile phones.

Mobile Money Wallet (MM Wallet) is one of the mobile payment systems in Malaysia. It is a PIN-based Mobile Payment Solution designed by Mobile Money International Sdn Bhd to address the limitations and bottlenecks created by cash, cheques and credit cards. It allows registered user to make payments, pay for goods and services at anytime, anywhere by using only a mobile phone with a 6-digit security PIN through SMS. This gives the free will to user to shop online and pay the merchant by using his or her mobile phone without being actually present at the store.

In order to make payment via Mobile Money, consumer must have a savings, current or credit card account with participating bank. Mobile Money functions as a Credit Card with the "Pay by Mobile Phone" credit card account. For example, Hong Leong Mobile Credit Card. User of Mobile Money will then be billed by the particular bank accordingly by the end of months. Besides, Mobile Money also functions as a Debit Card if it is tied to user's savings or current account. The amount will be deducted immediately from the account upon successful transaction.

Mobile Money encourages more consumers to shop online. Besides, it encourages more merchants to adopt online selling as an extra sales channel as well. This will positively be a great help to the e-commerce industry in Malaysia. Consumers can enjoy the advantages of Mobile Money in paying bills, paying merchants, paying to anyone at anytime in anywhere with just a mobile phone. It is safe and secure as there is no cash involved along with the operation of PIN (Personal Identification Number).

In addition, Mobile Money brings benefits to merchants as well. With Mobile Money, merchants do not have to be concern of cash, cheque or credit card handling problems or frauds. The Mobile Money Payment System complies with the strict requirements set by Bank Negara Malaysia and the participating banks. Moreover, there are no minimum monthly transactions, rental fee, and merchant account required by those merchants, the particular existing bank account will be sufficient. The sign up fees for merchants are low. There are only RM100 for Retailers or RM300 for Corporate, which chargeable after the first 10 transactions. This helps merchants to save cost.

Mobile Money payment system really bring lots of benefit and convenient to both consumers and merchants. It allows consumers and merchants to pay someone and receive money from someone at anytime from anywhere with just one SMS. Mobile Money Payment system is very secure and it is a closed loop payment system. Consumers are encouraged to adopt this payment system during online shopping. Merchants and bankers should work together to promote, advertise the usefulness and benefit of Mobile Money to consumers as it saves time, easy, convenient, secure and it indirectly contributes to the e-commerce industry in Malaysia.

The Application of Pre-Paid Cash Card for Consumers

Prepaid cash card is a type of stored-valued card which has computer chips that allow users to fuel them with cash that they can later used to purchase products and services. It is similar to debit cards, only the case value is stored on the card rather than in a bank account. Cash card does not require bank account. There is no minimum income or age for using a cash card.

Basically, there are two main types of prepaid card. The first type is closed-loop cards which include merchant gift cards, prepaid telephone cards and transit system fare cards. The other type of prepaid card is open-loop cards which can be used at many retail merchants and for banking purposes, for instance, receiving direct deposits or withdrawing cash from automated teller machines.

Prepaid cash card always need a personal identification number to be keyed in for the transaction to be authorized. Nobody else can use a particular prepaid cash card unless the person makes out the personal identification number. This is the reason why prepaid cash cards are considered as the safest and most secure financial transaction cards.

The most common prepaid cash card that being used in our daily life is prepaid cash card in making long distance telephone calls – iTalk prepaid calling card. The card is a service provided by TM that enables a caller to make National and International calls with the connection made through Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP). The caller first purchases an iTalk prepaid calling card. When the caller is making a call, the credit insides the calling card will be deducted based on the time of calling as well as the calling rates.

For online gamers, prepaid cash cards are not new or strange for them. For instance, Maple Story, an online game, provides prepaid cash card services to online gamers. The gamers can first purchase prepaid cash card, A cash, from outlets such as Popular book stores, game shops, and etc. After that, gamers can login to the game account n enter the serial number that located on the card. Gamers then need to enter the security code n security PIN that printed on the card as well to proceed with the process. After the receipt is printed out, the prepaid cash card transaction is complete.
( For further information, please visit http://www.maplesea.com/cashshop/topup.aspx )

Prepaid cash card ultimately benefit the sellers. This is because they do not have to worry that money will failed to be collected from the buyers since the cash is collected before item is sold. On the other hand, buyers can control the use of money since they have paid initially. Besides, by purchasing a prepaid cash card, buyers do not need to carry much cash on hand, indirectly, the cases of theft and loses of money can be reduced.

The Application of Third Party Certification Programmed in Malaysia

Users will not transact business at a web site unless they are certain it is secure. They need to know the business is real and that their communications are private. One of the licensed Certification Authority (CA) in Malaysia is MSC Trustgate.com which was established in 1999. It provides security and trusted services to help companies build a secure network and application infrastructure for their transactions and communications over the network.

MSC Trustgate is an affiliate of VeriSign Inc. for the South East Asian region and a member of the VeriSign Trust Network. MSC Trustgate.com’s membership allows its customers to enjoy a globally recognized service that is compatible with the existing technological requirements. It offers market leading trust services, including authentication and validation, needed by websites, enterprises, and e-commerce service providers to conduct trusted and secure electronic commerce and communications over IP networks.

The affiliation also establishes strategic relationships with industry leaders, such as AT&T, British Telecommunications, Checkpoint Technologies, Cisco, Microsoft, Netscape, Network Associates, Network Solutions, RSA Security, and VISA, to enable widespread utilization of digital certificate services and to assure interoperability with a variety of applications and network equipment.

MSC Trustgate offer several products and services. First of all, they offer SSL certificate for Internet, Intranet and server security. Global Server ID adopts today's strongest encryption commercially available for secure communications via Server Gated Cryptography (SGC) technology. However, Secure Server ID protects the transfer of sensitive data on Web sites, intranets, and extranets using a minimum of 40-bit and up to 256-bit encryption.

Besides, MSC Trustgate also offer Managed Public Key Infrastructure (MPKI) service which is a fully integrated enterprise platform designed to secure intranet, extranet, and Internet applications by combining maximum flexibility, performance and scalability with high availability and security.

To ensure the confidential information remains private in transit, Digital ID is being offered for secure transactions, documents and e-mails. With MyTRUST, we can turns a SIM card into a Mobile Digital Identity for secure mobile banking and other financial services. Mobile digital signature provides non-repudiation on transactions under the Digital Signature Act, 1997.

Malaysian government has put in place a smart National Identity Card (MyKad) for every citizen. MyKad with PKI capability allows its holder to conduct online transaction with government agencies and private sectors. MyKey, is the MyKad PKI solution that works with physically MyKad, allow authentication online and to digitally sign documents or transactions and is accepted by the Malaysian government.

Security is the primary concern of entering into the new Internet economy. The ever-changing paradigm of e-commerce requires a well-mandated security infrastructure. The vision of Trustgate is clear which is to enable organizations to conduct their business securely over the Internet, as much as what they have been enjoying in the physical world. Trustgate is determined to become the leading service provider of Internet utility company, thus complementing the aspiration of the MSC to be a world-class e-environment.

Phishing : Example and Prevention method

In computing, phishing is an attempt to criminally and fraudulently acquire sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords and credit card details, by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication. Paypal, eBay and online banks are common targets. Phishing is typically carried out by e-mail or instant messaging and often directs users to enter details at a website. Phishing is an example of social engineering techniques used to fool users.



For example, Paypal phishing, spelling mistakes in the e-mail and the presence of an IP address in the link are both clues that this is a phishing attempt. Another giveaway is the lack of a personal greeting, although the presence of personal details would not be a guarantee of legitimacy. Other signs that the message is a fraud are misspellings of simple words and the threat of consequences such as account suspension if the recipient fails to comply with the message's requests

There are some tips for on-line user to avoid getting hooked. If some of them have received email to ask for their personal or financial information, please do not reply such email or pop-up messages. In addtion, they are advised not to cut and paste a link from the message into their web browser because phisers can make links look like what they want to go but actually they send you to a different site. Besides, user might use the latest products and services to help warn and protect them from online scams. For instance, they can install the Microsoft phishing filter using Internet Explorer 7 or higher. The Internet Explorer 7 that include the Microsoft Phishing Filter helps to protect you from Web fraud and the risks of personal data theft by warning or blocking you from reported phishing Web sites. If you use Internet Explorer 7 you will get another layer of protection with sites that use Extended Validation (EV) SSL Certificates.

Furthermore, the use of anti virus and anti-spyware software, as well as a firewall can reduced the risk of being phishing through the Internet. User should update such software regularly to ensure that the software can prevent the spyware or other unwanted software effectively.
If you have discovered any phishing mail, you can forward such mail to spam@uce.gov or to the company and bank impersonated in the phishing email. You may also report phishing email to the Anti- phishing working group at this email address reportphishing@antiphishing.org.

As a conclusion, we as the users should always be caution in opening any attachment or downloading any files from emails you receive, regardless of who sent them.

A Review on a post on Internet Security from My E-commerce blog

Nowadays, there are many threats of online security which intimidate the internet users, such as viruses, worms and Trojans. Internet users, especially those who like to shop on the Internet, feel alert and worry with these threats. Users cannot be assured that their personal data and financial information are safe from any unauthorized access through internet.

A review on a post on Internet Security from My E-Commerce blog with the title of “more than 1 million computer viruses in circulation now” has stated that there are more than a million of computer viruses, worms and Trojans in circulation, according to the Symantec bi-annual Internet Security Threat Report. This may be due to the hard works of the cyber criminal groups around the world.

According to the post, there are a total of 711, 912 new malicious code threats found in 2007. In total to date so far, Symantec had detected 1,122,311 malware. This shows that almost 2/3 of the malware were created in 2007 alone. Malware is a kind of software created to damage the computer system without owner’s informed permission. This term comes from the words “malicious” and “software”. Malware includes computer viruses, worms, Trojan horses, most rootkits, spyware, dishonest adware, as well as other malicious and unwanted software. In law, malware is sometimes known as a computer contaminant.

According to the post, most of the viruses are targeted at the Microsoft Windows’ based PC. On the other hand, some security firms had also reported a significant increment in the number of viruses online. Those reports indicate that threats of online security are getting serious as days pass. In order to protect our computer system from threats, we should install an anti-virus program with better quality; never visit websites that contain lots of viruses, such as illegal websites; keep personal data and financial information confidentially, and the last but not least, never open unsecured and unauthorized website. With these protections and avoidance, our computer will be staying away from any online threats.

How to Safeguard our Personal and Financial Data?

Nowadays, threats of online security getting serious as days pass. Internet users cannot assure that their personal information and financial data are as secure as previous time. In order to avoid any unauthorized access from internet, variety of safeguards must be taken in order to protect our personal and financial data.

Personal firewalls and security software packages which include anti-virus, anti-spam, and spyware detection features are a must for those who engages in online financial transactions. Users need to make sure that their computers have the latest security patches, and make sure that they are the only person that can access to the online brokerage account on a secure web page by using encryption.

Firewalls are the software and hardware products that intended to define, control and limit the access to a website, network or computer system. Firewalls help users to protect their data and help them to prevent unauthorized access via internet. Besides, most web browsers have the ability to communicate securely with a website by encrypting the information as it passes across the Internet. This method of communication is called Secure Socket Layer (SSL). Users can keep their personal information and financial data confidentially by this method.

Moreover, using security tokens can make an identity thief harder to access to a user’s online brokerage account. This is because these small number-generating devices offer a second layer of security for internet users. Besides, internet users must be smart in creating their password. The best passwords are ones that are difficult to guess. For example, try to use a password that consists of a combination of numbers, letters, punctuation, and special characters. Users should change their password regularly and use a different password for each of their accounts. Do not even share password with others and never reply to "phishing" emails with your password or other sensitive information.

Last but not least, users must always remember to log out completely when done using their online account. Log out completely can terminate the online session and help to prevent others from gaining access to users’ account information. Online security is everyone’s responsibility. We cannot predict the unauthorized access and damage through internet anytime. Therefore, we must take the safeguarding of our information seriously.

The Threat of Online Security: How Safe is Our Data?

Nowadays, online service plays a pretty important role in human’s daily lives. Internet users can access information through the websites, to correspond with faraway friends through email, to meet people through online messenger, and to discuss their interests with like-minded people through forum. Furthermore, people can advertise and sell their products through the Internet. However, there are some new risks while using the Internet, among them are the risks that the important information will be lost, stolen, corrupted, or misused.

Computer virus is one of the threats to the online security, the safety or our data may be doubted if data is infected by virus. A computer virus is a computer program that can copy itself and infect a computer without consent and knowledge of the computer users. Viruses can either spread from one computer to another through CD or USB drive, or spread through network services such as instant messaging or file sharing program.

Spyware is another program that threatens the security and safety of our data. It is computer software that is installed secretly on a personal computer to monitor or control over the user’s interaction with the computer, without the permission of the user. Spyware can change computer settings, resulting in slow connection speeds, different home pages, and loss of Internet of other programs. It can even install additional computer settings, redirect Web browser activity, or access websites blindly that will cause more harmful viruses without the knowledge of the user.

Hacking is an activity specializing in obtaining unauthorized access to systems through skills, tactics and detailed knowledge. These days, the mass media often uses the term “hacker” as synonymous with a computer intruder. There are several recurring tools of the trade and techniques used by the computer criminals such as spoofing and sniffing attack, denial of service (DoS) attack, identity theft, vulnerability scanner, and etc. Our data may not be safe if our computers are hacked by hackers.

We cannot determine how safe our data is if there are some threats in the online security. What we can do is try our best to protect our data from leaking out. However, online security system should be improved from time to time so that the confidentiality, integrity and availability of our data and information can be retained and maintained.