Consumers Still Have Concerns About Online Shopping Safety According to Avira Survey

An overwhelming majority – 70 percent – of consumers either don’t shop online or do so with concerns about their safety while navigating the Internet according to the most recent survey of computer users from IT security expert Avira. During a July 2011 survey of Avira users, just 30 percent of respondents felt secure enough to be worry free as they shop online.

The online shopping survey was presented to Avira’s website visitors during July, 2011 with the question:

“Because of the continued data breaches, phishing attacks, and security vulnerabilities, that get reported on almost every day, consumers have every right to not feel 100 percent safe while they shop online,” said Sorin Mustaca, data security expert from Avira. “I recommend that consumers watch for a few things in order to not become a victim of the online fraudsters:

• Always check that the connection to the online store where the payment is done is secured. This can be observed first if the URL is starting with “https” and second if a small lock is present in the top right corner of the browser in the URL field (in Chrome) or the name of the website is written in a colored rectangle(in Firefox, IE). If the web browser gives any warnings about the security certificate of the website, then do not proceed to purchase anything from that website.
• If you don’t know the website you plan to buy from, always check its reputation. Search for other users who are commenting about that website. Searching for “<website> reputation” usually gives good and relevant results.
• Give your financial details like credit card data only if the website is properly secured and its reputation is good.
• Try to choose payment methods which don’t require payment upfront. If PayPal is an option, choose that whenever possible. Otherwise, if you’ve ensured the safety of the website you’re on and you feel good about its reputation, then pay with a credit card.
• Always double check your bank accounts to make sure the amount you spent is the amount that was charged. If there is a discrepancy, contact the website where you made the purchase.”

About Avira

Avira stands for extreme reliability and internet freedom around the globe. The company was founded 25 years ago on Tjark Auerbach's promise to "make software that does good things for my friends and family". Because of Avira's security expertise and award-winning antivirus software, today more than 100 million consumers and small businesses live free of spyware, phishing, worms and other internet based threats. The company delivers IT-security protection to computers, servers and networks both directly and in the cloud.

In addition to protecting the online world, Avira's CEO promotes well being in the offline world through the Auerbach Foundation, which supports charitable and social projects. The philosophy of the foundation is to help people to help themselves.

For more information, please visit www.avira.com or join the community at www.facebook.com/avira.