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If
you are planning on selling your products and services online, you should
ensure that all your transactions are done as securely as possible.
The recent security incidents involving a number of banks
disclosing customer details online has left customers afraid to shop on
line.
If,
as a small company, you use an Internet Service Provider, then you
must check to see if they provide a "secured server" if they do
not then you should either move to a service provider who does or do not
promote credit card transaction online.
What
is a secured server?
A
secured server locks and then encrypts any transactions sent and received
in a similar way to email encryption; this is known as SSL or Secured
Socked Layer. When a customer connects to a secured server it causes a
public key to be sent and stored on the customer's browser, the private
key is never divulged and so a secured area is then created.
As soon as a client or customer enters a web page using this
technology the web address (URL) changes from http to https, a padlock
will also appear at the lower left corner of the browser.
Once this has been established, your customer or client can be
assured that credit card transaction can be securely transferred without
interception from a third party.
If,
as a small business, you have decided to create and manage your
own web site using a secured ISP server, it is vitally important
to check your system for security on a regular basis. This is particularly the case if you have decided only to use
the secured area for credit card transactions and the remainder of
your site unsecured in order to speed up your web site.
Make a company policy to commit to a security check on your
site each time you upload. If
credit card details are intercepted whilst shopping with you, your
company reputation will be irretrievably damaged. |
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Your customers will only have
access to SSL secured technology on your web site if they are using
Netscape Navigator 2.0 or above, Microsoft Internet Explorer or AOL
browser. |
Why
should my business use this technology?
As
consumer confidence is low as far as trading on the Internet goes.
Therefore, it is vital to adopt every possible avenue to ensure
your customers or clients transact in complete confidence. SSL technology
goes part way in achieving this goal and MUST be adopted as part of your
ecommerce strategy if you intend to sell online.
How
can I find a secured SSL server?
Most
quality Internet Service providers these days offer a secured SSL
facility. Before you choose
an ISP, ask if access to a secured server is part of their services.
Unfortunately many of the FREE services do not provide SSL, so it
is well worth looking into before you sign up to an ISP.
Use of
Credit Cards Online If
you have employed SSL technology you will then be able to accept credit
card transactions in relative security. However, this would mean
that you have free access to a customers credit card details. As
many of your customers might not what to trade in this way, you might want
to consider applying for a Secured Electronic Transaction facility
pioneered by Visa or consider using a payment gateway to accept and
process your credit card details. <More
details...>
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