¶ … Security is of utmost importance in this digital world where technology has not only expedited our information processing speed but also made information more transparent, with the consequent security implications. The rapid growth of Internet technology and the phenomenal pace at which ecommerce is growing have created new security concerns to be dealt with. We are at a greater risk now from potential hackers and other nosey netizens who use the same technology to gain access to, impersonate, damage and wreak havoc using the anonymous web medium. Firewalls, antiviral programs, authentication systems and secure protocols are different ways of ensuring the safety of the system.
Firewalls constitute the first line defense of our network as they are strategically positioned at the entry point of the network to monitor all input and output data. Firewalls perform the function of filtering data to and from the network and allow only authorized traffic to pass through, which in effect immunizes or shields our computer from outside attack. Perimeter firewalls are designed to protect the network from outside attacks but they leave the network defenseless to internal attacks. Distributed firewalls on the other hand protect the system from both internal as well as external attacks. Antivirus programs are designed to eliminate the risk of potential damage that could be caused by viruses and other kind of malicious codes that float freely on the net. They are memory resident and effectively scan all downloaded data for the presence of worms and viruses. (Ex Norton Antivirus).
User authentication using a password system is the most commonly used security system for restricting access and for preventing impersonation. Passwords are secured using various types of encryption techniques so that even if a snooper manages to intercept it on the net he cannot meaningfully interpret it. Currently 128-bit encryption is the industrial standard as it provides the greatest security. The latest protocols ensure the security of online transactions by encrypting data at the sender's end and decrypting the same at the receiver's end. At present most ecommerce companies use SSL (Secure Socket Layer) protocol. The SET (Secure Electronic transaction) and PCT (Private Communication technology) are other emerging technologies.
Effecting security of information is a complex task, which involves coupling a variety of security systems like firewalls, Antivirus programs, Intruder detection systems and secure transmission protocols.
