Internet Security As An E-commerce Enabler

Abstract

In the words of futurist Joel Arthur Barker "when the paradigms shift, everything starts from ground zero". The digital revolution is swiftly reshaping all aspects of life in society "in ways and forms we cannot fully appreciate". These "new digitally-based economic arrangements are changing how people work together and alone, communicate and relate, consume and relax" [JJ. The economic system based on direct contact between merchants and customers is giving way to an electronic, human independent system we know as e-commerce. The immense advantages of the new system (product availability, time and cost reductions, lack of geographical barriers) provide savings that are passed on to customers. On the other hand, there are disadvantages, such as lack of human interaction, privacy and security issues and the opportunity for scam artists to take advantage of the system's anonymity to commit their crimes. Security and privacy are the most prominent concerns mentioned by users. The purpose of this paper is to present the different enabling factors and obstacles to e-commerce, focusing on the security alternatives available to facilitate digital commerce.