Safe surfing

Public confidence in making transactions and placing personal details on the internet remains low. In a recent survey conducted by the New Statesman, most people said they feel more comfortable using their credit card at a restaurant than online, and a significant number revealed they choose not to use the internet because of fears of fraud. Those who do enter personal data on the internet rarely read or understand website terms and conditions or privacy policies.

The public’s worries over internet security are often misplaced. One example concerns the use of credit cards. Although credit card fraud is common on the web, it is rarely the result of an insecure site. Most incidents involve details stolen in the real world rather than via hacking. Individuals are more likely to become victims of credit card fraud by discarding a receipt than by using the net.

Consumers, businesses and the government stand to lose from this lack of confidence. The UK is in a strong position to excel in both e-government and e-commerce, but opportunities will be missed if concerns about security continue. Solutions that omit or limit the use of credit cards are already in place and have been eagerly taken up by consumers. These solutions vary, from using mobile phones to having online accounts, but many of these schemes are for small rather than large payments. Authentication services are being used more and more on UK websites. However, a number of questions arise from this, particularly regarding regulation. By its nature and origin, the internet is largely self-regulatory. If public fear about online transactions is to be overcome, there may need to be a more widely recognised "trust mark".

The following edited round-table discussion, part of the New Statesman New Media Awards 2003, examines some of the fears and considers how public confidence is to be increased.

Kathryn Corrick, online manager

To read the New Statesman special supplement on Confidence in internet security click here.

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