The Internet offers many benefits to businesses and consumers, but its use does carry risks. These sometimes feature in the daily press when "hackers" get into computer systems or send viruses through the email system. There is no reason why you should not trust the Internet as a means of doing business but it is sensible to be vigilant and to take practical precautions against misuse of your website and email systems.

Part of the problem is that because the Internet is designed to offer easy communication between individual computers, the possibility of outsiders breaking into your computer systems and stealing valuable information such as credit card numbers exists. Any information transmitted over the Internet can be intercepted at any point if appropriate security precautions have not been taken. Most of these precautions are taken by the company (an ISP) that provides your connection to the Internet, but you do have a role to play in ensuring that you and your customers can trust the Internet.

There is a major section on security (sometimes referred to in the media as e-security) in this website - Protecting. You might visit that area now, or later when you have worked through this section and the next ones on planning and building.

Further information

1. The Internet Industry Association has developed a security portal website (http://www.security.iia.net.au) devoted to explaining security issues to small to medium businesses (SMEs). Their aim is to build community confidence in using the Internet for e-commerce by promoting in all users a 'culture of security'. The website addresses many topics covered in this e-businessguide and contains links to a number of very useful resources. The IIA developed their security website with a number of partners including DCITA who developed this e-businessguide.
2. DCITA has produced a brochure and a more detailed booklet called: Trusting The Internet. Click on the link to go to their website to download the brochure or booklet: http://www.dcita.gov.au/communications_and_technology/publications_and_reports/2002/july/trusting_the_internet_-_a_small_business_guide_to_e-security