Top > Business > 2006 > January > 2006-01-13

Online Shoppers Feel Safe

People love the convenience of shopping online. The business of online shopping has increased substantially over the last several years. This is apparent with the growth of such sites as Amazon, Buy.com and the eBay Store. Consumer enthusiasm for online shopping this past holiday season appears to have been helped by confidence in protective security measures such as anti-virus and anti-spyware software, according to the results of a new post-holiday survey released by the Business Software Alliance (BSA).

More than two out of three U.S. online adults reported that Internet security concerns did not stop them from making purchases online, and 38 percent of online holiday shoppers report they spent more money online than in previous years. One in three online shoppers, however, report security fears gave them pause to shop less online or not at all this holiday season. Another 20 percent of online shoppers, mainly those aged 55 and over according to Internet security had them very concerned or extremely concerned this holiday season.

Of those survey respondents who said they shopped online during the holiday season, many said they felt very confident or extremely confident of their protection from computer viruses, credit card fraud, identity theft, and spyware. Diane Smiroldo, BSA`s vice president of public affairs says, "The vast majority of shoppers refuse to let security fears stop them, and it appears that many are taking proactive steps to protect themselves and their computers. Yet, a substantial number of shoppers are still wary about e-commerce safety".