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G Lesson 8 E-Commerce

Explanation of ISP

Description of E-commerce

Description of E-sales

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G What You Should Know About an ISP

Internet Service Provider (ISP)

An ISP is a company that provides Internet services such as access to the Internet and web site hosting.

Most ISPs are resellers who lease connections to the Internet from large telecommunications companies and share leased bandwidth with their ‘paying customers’.

Larger ISPs offer dial-up or broadband access and many provide web site hosting, including ‘domain name’ registration, for typically £4.99 per month.

ISPs lease a range of IP addresses (from ICANN) and allocate dynamically upon connection.

McLean 2006 3

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G What You Should Know About E-commerce

E-Commerce

E-commerce is using computer networks including the Internet to buy or sell goods or services. E-commerce includes: on-line banking, e-shopping, buying stocks and shares and even booking holidays!

Advantages for the customer

Increased convenience – look at and pay for goods without leaving their homes

Increased choice – compare different retailer prices before buying

Advantages for the retailer

Increased customer base – potentially a world wide market

Less overheads – no building to pay for, less staff to pay etc

McLean 2006 4

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G What You Should Know About Search Engines

Fraud in E-sales payment

Criminals target networks including the Internet to steal from bank accounts, steal ID’s and passwords, clone credit cards and even steal users identities. Networks uses several methods to prevent fraud.

Secure Socket Layer Technology

SSL is protocol used to secure the communication link between the user and the HTTP server. When connected to a secure server the URL will start with HTTPS and or a padlock will appear on the browser. SSL technology encrypts any data being transmitted and authenticates both client and server (sender and receiver). SSL is sometimes referred to as S-HTTP.

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G What You Should Know About Search Engines

Secure Electronic Transaction

SET is a security method which uses cryptography and digital certificates to help retailers verify customer details. SET routes credit card details directly to card processing systems and away from retailers computers thus lessening the security risk. Digital Certificates are used to authenticate users privileges, roles and permissions during secure transactions.