Online Business Security

Online Business Security is one of the most important concerns of the online business owner. Considering that more than half of all complaints reported to the Federal Trade Commission in 2009 were Internet related fraud. In total, these complaints, combined with other online losses, totaled more than $1.7 billion. On top of this, the Internet Crime complaint center (an arm of the FBI) logged over $800 million in complains! Is it any wonder why Online Business Security is such a concern of small business owners?

So, who foots the bill for these online business security issues?

Consumers and business owners alike. We're all vulnerable when it comes to becoming victims of cybercrime. But when you get right down to it, the burden of online business security falls to online business owners. You owe it to your customers to provide a secure shopping environment and to protect both your customers and yourself from financial loss.

As the online business owner, you are responsible for your online business security. With identity theft and fraud rising at alarming rates, both credit card companies and regulatory agencies are dumping the bill for fraud issues at the feet of web site operators. Not only are you out the sale, but cost of the goods, and shipping costs as well.

By keeping on top of online business security issues, you can help prevent your customers from being the victims of identity theft and fraud while helping yourself. You'll do this by being vigilant about credit card payments that you accept and by keeping your customers information as private as possible.

Online Business Security Issues As An Affiliate

If your online business is based on the affiliate program model, you will not be directly held accountable for customers you refer to an online vendor, but you very well could lose the commission on a sale should the sale be made with a fraudulent credit card. Working as an affiliate, online business security issues are still something that should concern you because there are other types of thieves outside of credit card fraud. There are those who will steal your affiliate code and replace it with their own or of someone else's. Please be sure to see the Affiliate Program resources in my Barnes Internet Marketer's Resource Guide to help you with your online business security.