I actually know of the offline part of this business and they are a reputable, established company with good products to sell. So why would they allow their reputation to be tarnished by showing themselves on the internet in such a poor light? Perhaps they thought that any advertisement is better than no advertisement and that the thrown together web presence would be good enough or perhaps they thought that their offline reputation would allow people to see through the poorly presented web site.

I think the latter is closer to the truth and it is a mistake that many established small businesses make when going online for the first time. Just five years ago this may have worked for the business as most web sites were purely online brochures where people went to check contact numbers, opening times etc. before visiting the physical store. A recent survey has shown that our spending habits are changing and that Britain’s love affair with shopping and the high street is changing. In the past six years, online spending has increased by 2,000 per cent and in the past 12 months alone we have spent more than £50 billion purchasing via the internet.

This change has occurred, I think for various reasons. Our towns and cities are increasingly overcrowded with poor travel facilities. We have less time for shopping and are savvier when it comes to knowing what we want. We value good customer service, but at the end of the day, a MP3 player is the same wherever you bought it from and we want the best price.

So, what does this mean for the small to medium size business? Well, they can no longer get away with having a poor, out of date internet site. A lot of potential customers may never have seen your store and actually know little of your reputation. As in most things, we formulate opinions very quickly and an uninspiring web site will do little to convince the customer as to your genuine value and service. To convert these potential customers to purchasers the web site needs to be clean, simple and easy to navigate. It also needs to provide more than just a brochure of your products. Providing information that relates to your product is a key method of generating interest and trust. For example, if you sell a specific product why not get some real reviews from your existing customers by offering them a discount on their next purchase. I’m not suggesting you bribe them to give a good review when they wouldn’t otherwise, but I personally always read products reviews online before I make any significant purchase. This adds value and hopefully with minimal effort will convert into sales.

These are just a few ideas to prevent you also becoming a victim of small business web design crimes!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Cooper

In the online world this is where crooks can hide behind emails, websites and fake or stolen identities. Unfortunately for us they would like to get their hands on our money and would seem to stop at nothing to get at it.

In the online banking world there are a few tips and tricks that you need to follow to help you prevent being techno-robbed. When I worked as a systems admin for a company I was fed up of people using very simple crack able passwords i.e. using their car number plate or birthday etc.

I devised a quick program that blocked using personal data and implemented it. I also did a quick slide show on the importance of protecting your password which is vital in securing your funds.

I mainly emphasised about password strength. I tend to use two words with a number in the middle with control characters at the beginning and end. This works well as when your password expires after ninety days on most systems you just up the number in the middle. Very easy to remember and retain control of the information.

Remember the important issues associated with online banking a bank will never ask for your PIN or your account password however they may ask you for maybe 2 digits of it in different places.

There is a program that I came across some years ago where you could pretend to be any server i.e. you could pretend to be sending mails from the Microsoft server and this I found was a particular threat as many people are still falling for email phishing.

Apart from a prank there was pulled this software has some very dangerous uses many people have eBay or PayPal accounts. These companies will only send you an email in their respective email inboxes. Any other email is likely to be bogus if in any doubt forward the email to the respective company.

eBay does a very good job of collecting these emails and promoting information on their site about fraudulent activities. The best weapon against online fraud is to keep up to date with scam websites in forums.

Internet scams are very damaging and as more and more business is done online there will be potential for criminals to do real financial damage. Think carefully about online offers. A recent quite serious survey was performed by the FDA (Food and Drugs Administration) these are the people responsible for licensing drugs and protecting the end user ourselves from harm. They bought Viagra from various sources of the internet and traced if it was genuine or fake.

There was an alarming amount of fake drugs on the internet. The real drug can always be traced back to the source, having worked in the pharmaceutical business as an automation validation engineer I can tell you that drug traceability is taken very seriously indeed.

This example is something that you would put inside yourself so you need to be very careful what you order and always get good recommendations of trusted websites. Perform a who is search and find who owns the website etc.

Always be careful online be safe with your money, passwords, credit card information. Buy from recommended websites or ones where you can go and see the company if you have a complaint.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andy_Bolton

Pornographic images of children are not exercises in free speech. They are criminal acts of child abuse. The United States is working to end this abuse through the government’s Internet Crimes Against Children task forces. With the help of task force members, federal prosecution of child pornography and abuse has increased from 350 cases in 1998 to more than 1,400 cases in 2005.”

-First Lady Laura Bush

Internet Crimes Against Children Task Forces

The Internet Crimes Against Children Task force program exists under the umbrella of the U.S. Department of Justice, as a portion of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). This program trains individual states and government entities to set up their own task forces to combat cyber crimes against our most vulnerable of citizens, our children.

At its conception, New York Senator Hillary Clinton asked congress for funding of $25 million to get the program rolling. The ICAC Task Force Program was set up to help State and local law enforcement agencies augment and strengthen their investigative response to predators who use the Internet, online communication systems, or other computer technology to sexually exploit children. 46 Regional Task Force Agencies currently make up the program. Those agencies are relatively evenly spread across the nation, and the majority of states are represented.

Law enforcement has long been aware that the naiveté and trusting natures of most children make them easy targets for predators. Teenagers, while older and a few years wiser, remain vulnerable to victimization. These governing agencies know that more than 77 million kids are online today. They also realize that the nature of the Internet presents a never before faced complexity to investigating crimes, collecting evidence, identifying and apprehending offenders, and assisting child victims and their families.

One big reason for this is the anonymity of the Internet. Unless there is viable evidence that a person committed an online crime, the argument could be raised that “someone else” either hacked into the accused person’s accounts or used his computer while they were a visitor in the accused person’s home. Another reason for this is that the crimes often cross several jurisdictions, and the victim and the perpetrator are often separated geographically.

Predators can and do travel hundreds of miles to different states and countries to engage in sexual acts with children they met over the Internet. Many of these cases involve local, state, federal, and international law enforcement entities in multiple jurisdictions.

The national Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force provides training to the state and local branches of the ICAC, so that they are better equipped to handle this escalating online problem. Some of the training courses include the Investigative Techniques Training Program, the Child Sex Offender Accountability Training Program, and the Undercover Chat Investigations Training Program.

Each local Internet Crimes Against Children task force is composed of federal, state, and local law enforcement personnel. Federal and local prosecution officials participate as well, as do local educators and service providers such as mental health professionals. The local task forces serve as valuable regional resources to assist parents, educators, prosecutors, law enforcement personnel, and others who work on child victimization issues.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Angela_Edwards

It’s just too easy to meet people on a child’s computer monitor. It’s even easier when the computer is located in the child’s bedroom away from the eyes of their only protection – parents.

This is a comparatively new problem, which has materialized over the past 15 years or so. Any child 15 years old, or younger grew up with computers available just about anywhere that they went. School, libraries, friends houses and of course several rooms in their house. I suspect that those 15 year-olds and younger don’t know anyone in their age group that doesn’t have a computer and access to the Internet. This problem will never go away. It will only get worse as computers get smaller, faster, more powerful and cheaper. This growth in computing power has changed our world forever.

The main problem with this is that the “bad-guys” of the world know how to use computers as well. They also know that they can hide their true identity all the way up to the time when they attempt to meet someone face-to-face. By then, it’s often too late, especially if it’s an unsuspecting child.

This is my first Ezine article, and I wanted to briefly address some concerns that I have had for the past ten years regarding safety on the Internet for our children. I’m still not convinced that parents in general fully understand the risks.

There are places that you can go to get help in understanding more about this problem. There are also a lot of people out there who are trying to do everything that they can to help protect your children.

One of the best places to go for help is to the national Center for Missing and Exploited Children website. http://www.missingkids.com You should get to know them to help protect your children and hopefully have a familiar place to go should you need their help.

Fortunately, there are more and more people learning about what they can do to help with this problem in every city throughout the USA. These are your local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. This is the crime that they most want to prevent in any way possible.

Our company has been offering law enforcement scholarships at no cost to police officers around the country for the past eight years in an effort to help them get trained on how to prevent these kinds of crimes against our children.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jack_Wiles

Computers and the internet are as common in most households as radios and televisions have been to previous generations. The idea of making and having friends online is not such an odd concept to a child either. It might even seem to them that everybody does it, both children and adults and for the most part they’re right. The existence of the many social networking sites relies on people wanting to do this. Internet child predators count on this too. They also count on children not being properly educated in the dangers of meeting people online and parents not being able to supervise them when they’re surfing the web. The good news is that there are things we, as parents, can do to counter this and make sure our kids are kept out of internet danger.

The first and most important thing we can do is to make sure that our children are aware of the dangers and how to avoid internet child predators as well as the other scammers. Certain rules for going online must be agreed upon. A “contract” for internet safety can be helpful in reinforcing and reminding kids about the agreed upon rules. You can have it written out, signed and posted, in plain sight, near the computer. It should include rules such as never telling anyone that they don’t personally know any personal, family or school information, to never meet in person with anyone that they met online, to only use parent approved chat rooms and to always tell their parents when something doesn’t seem right or someone wants to know personal information.

Parents, as well as children need to be educated in preventing internet child predators. After all, we need to know in order to teach. A good place for parents to start learning is with the internet safety resources at the National Crime Prevention Council, or NCPC. You might know their catch phrase “Take a bite out of crime” and their mascot McGruff the Crime Dog. You can find valuable information on the NCPC website and even download printable brochures for parents, safety posters for children and an internet safety contract for the kids to sign.

Although we teach our children as well as we can, they may not always be able to know when something is wrong; internet child predators can be very crafty. Sometimes children can feel adventurous and may disregard what we’ve taught, feeling it’s no big deal. It’s almost impossible for a parent to supervise their kids all of the time that they are using their computers and we really do need to know what they’re doing online in order to keep them safe. There is computer tracking software available that can be used to keep track of everything your kids do while they are on the computer. It also lets you block any websites that you don’t want them to visit. The computer age has opened the door for these internet child predators and we parents need to do everything we can to shut them out. Let’s all take a bite out of these crimes.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Phillip_R_Davis

Even knowing this, there are some people who don’t know what constitutes Internet crime. They think that minor things like threats or e-stalking should be ignored. While it’s true that there are some cases that are probably not that serious and can be handled by being ignored, Internet crime is still a serious problem and should be treated as such. If someone has threatened you, your family, your life or your well being, you don’t have to just ignore this or assume they don’t have intentions of actually doing it.

There are proper channels to report threats made on the Internet and you can find them at the end of this article. If you feel uncomfortable, afraid or threatened by something someone has said or done to you on the Internet, there are departments trained to investigate these types of activities.

Each website is full of information about what types of cases they investigate and what you should do if you feel you are a victim.

No one else can ever tell you whether or not a situation calls for reporting such as this as opinions will always vary. However, they do not punish people for reporting something that makes them afraid or uncomfortable.

It’s even a good idea to bookmark those websites. They also tell you what to do about email scams, phishing and other types of Cyber-crime.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lisa_A_Mason

Another tool that can make a person protected from criminals is the background check services that are now available online. These services can actually let a person investigate another person so fast by giving reports that are useful to know another person better. Background check services on the Internet can provide you with the public records of the person that you are investigating just by typing the person’s name in the records search. These public records are originally kept by government offices but now they are gathered in a state-of-the-art database where anyone can have fast access of the public records that they need. These companies which enables anyone to access their databases for only a small amount are run by companies that are dedicated in helping people make their own investigation to be safe.

Government offices around the country also maintain their own computer database where you can access the records that they keep. You can personally visit them and request for the records that you want. Since you can only have access to the records that are kept in that particular offices, finding the records that are kept in other offices will require you to travel and find those particular offices again. But if you use the online services, you will just have to sit there in front of your computer connected to the Internet and click on different states where you can have a name search for all the records of the person without the need to travel. In those services, you will be able to have unlimited service without even visiting each government office because the database will find it for you in a matter of seconds! So if you are looking for convenience, it is better to use the online services for public records.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shane_Britt

According to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), a partnership between the National White Collar Crime Center and the FBI, the number of fraud victims is in the hundreds of thousands and total dollars lost are in the hundreds of millions, and rising at an exponential rate. A search on Google for “internet fraud” results in over 3,200,000 listings at the time of this writing (updated)!

It is difficult sometimes to tell the difference between reputable online sellers and criminals who use the Internet to separate people from their money. You can protect yourself by learning how to recognize the danger signs of fraud. If you are a victim of Internet fraud, it is important to file a complaint with the IC3 at ic3.gov quickly so that law enforcement agencies can quickly shut down the fraudulent operations.

o Know whom you’re dealing with. If the seller or charity is unfamiliar, check with your state or local consumer protection agency and the Better Business Bureau at bbb.org Search the Federal Trade Commission website at ftc.gov for the company or organization that you are considering doing business with. Some Web sites have feedback forums, which can provide useful information about other peoples experiences with particular sellers. Get the physical address and phone number (and actually make a call before you give them money-to make sure that the phone number is correct) in case there is a problem later.

o Guard your personal information. Make sure that any website that requires sensitive information is encrypted. An encrypted website usually has a yellow padlock symbol somewhere on the page, typically at the bottom. Don’t provide your credit card or bank account number unless you are actually paying for something. Your social security number should not be necessary unless you are applying for credit. Be especially suspicious if someone claiming to be from a company with whom you have an account asks for information that the business already has.

o Pay the safest way. Credit cards are the safest way to pay for online purchases because you can dispute the charges if you never receive your order, or if the offer was misrepresented. Federal law limits your liability to $50 if someone makes unauthorized charges to your account, and most credit card issuers will remove them completely if you report the problem promptly.

o Look for information about how complaints are handled. It can be difficult to resolve complaints, especially if the seller or charity is located in another country. Look on their website for information about programs that require standards for reliability and assistance in handling disputes with which the company or organization participates.

o Be aware that an organization without complaints is not a guarantee. Fraudulent operators set up shop and close down quickly, so the fact that nobody has made a complaint doesn’t mean the seller or charity is legitimate. You still need to look for other danger signs of fraud.

o Understand the offer. A legitimate seller will give you all the details about the products or services, the total price, the refund and cancellation policies, the terms of any warranty, and the delivery time.

o Think twice before entering contests operated by unfamiliar companies. Fraudulent marketers sometimes use contest entry forms to identify potential victims.

o Be cautious about unsolicited emails. They are often fraudulent. Recent legislation requires all marketing emails to include a working link that enables the recipient to be excluded from future mailings.

o Beware of impostors. Someone might send you an email pretending to be connected with a business or charity. Others may create a website that looks just like that of a well-known company or charitable organization. If you’re not sure that you’re dealing with the real thing, find another way to contact the legitimate business or charity.

o Beware of “dangerous downloads.” In downloading programs to see pictures, hear music, play games, etc., you could download a virus that wipes out your computer files or connects your modem to a foreign telephone number, resulting in expensive phone charges. Only download programs from websites you know and trust. Read all user agreements carefully.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eric_Buck

Similar to all the other advancement in technology, the personal computer also has it shades of black and white. With the personal computer becoming more accessible and affordable for everyone, a lot of convenience has been added to our lives. We can shop on the Internet for anything that we want. We do not need to drive down to the bank to deposit checks or even withdraw money. We can type emails and avoid writing snail mails that take forever to reach the recipient.

Life had become too easy for a while and the Internet made it possible for us to achieve all this sitting in the comfort of our homes. But this did not last too long. In came the hackers and the sex offenders and then started the concept of ‘Internet crime’. Even though the FBI is forever trying to track down these Internet law breakers, it is almost impossible to track all of them. There are so many of them and anyone with a personal computer and a modem could be a potential hacker or sex offender.

There are people who pose online in compromising situations and then the state-of-the-art technology is used to morph faces and figures making it seem as if the person posing is a celebrity or a famous person. There are others that hack into the system of other people and steal confidential data and information to sell it to competing parties. Many credit card frauds are fought every day but they keep increasing. Cyberspace identities are stolen and in the paperless world that we have attained today a broken password could mean that you have no means of proving who you are.

Given that the Internet brings a whole lot of good things to the world it obviously cannot be shunned. Therefore the best way is to try and prevent Internet crime towards yourself. Be careful of what sites you visit. Ensure you have good firewalls. Monitor the sites that your children visit and make sure to educate them about the hazards of chatting with strangers.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scotie_Keithlow

The 2009 Internet Crime Report states the reported losses from online fraud reached nearly $560 million in 2009. The most popular types of scam included attempted identity theft using the FBI’s name.

In the age of new technology, where an increasing amount of transactions happen in cyberspace, consumers need to remain a step ahead of the scammers. So how does one protect oneself from being deceived?

Geeks On Site has compiled a list of precautions every computer user should familiarize themselves with:

1. Understand how scam artists operate
2. Manage and protect your personal data
3. Never open attachments from unknown senders
4. Be very cautious when performing transactions online
5. Check your bank statements regularly for unauthorized transactions
6. Do not download unknown software or applications
7. Check store/seller’s reviews if purchasing items online
8. Change your passwords regularly

Geeks On Site is eager to share tips to protect yourself from various scams that are common on the Internet. Some more popular scams are as follows:

- Identity theft (phishing) and credit card fraud (fake purchases): Do not reply to any e-mails requesting your bank account/credit card information. Legitimate banks and credit card companies will not request such confidential information via e-mail. If in doubt, contact your bank/credit card company.

- Charity relief (natural disasters): Do not reply or send any credit card information to unsolicited e-mails requesting donations. Be aware that these scammers will use similar names to the real organization’s name, if this is the case, look them up on the phonebook or do some research first. It is best to donate to a well-known relief organization instead.

- Work from home (upfront investment required): Most of these programs will request you to pay for a package that will provide you with the information “you need” in order to make the big bucks. Be wary of these companies and do your research before getting involved with them.

- Spam (viruses, pop ups): Make sure the software, applications and files you download from the internet come from trustworthy sources. Aside from the risk of obtaining a virus and corrupting all your files, some malicious files can install spyware, in which the authors are able to collect any information you enter into your computer, such as credit card numbers, without your consent. Unknown software might also install adware, in which the user’s browsing preferences are tracked in order to display unwanted advertisement via banners and pop-ups.

- E-mail scams (fake lottery and prizes): You might receive an e-mail stating that you won a lottery or that you were “selected randomly” for a prize. They will request a fee to be paid upfront in order to get the prize, and of course, you will not see any money.

- Online purchase fraud (eBay): Be aware that on sites like eBay, you are dealing with suppliers and individuals. Avoid ending up with a product that is not exactly what you expected, or having to pay for merchandise that did not arrive. Before you purchase anything, check the sellers’ ratings and read the buyers’ reviews. Make sure you read the item description thoroughly and ask any questions before you commit to buying an item, as in some cases returns are not accepted. If the transaction does not get resolved after further negotiation with the seller, you can always file a dispute; but it might take a while to get your money back.

Finally, computer users are encouraged to report suspicious activity. One highly regarded resource to learn more about Internet scams is the website of the Federal Trade Commission, www.ftc.gov. And, all victims of online scams are encouraged to file a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center at http://www.ic3.gov.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=George_Otte