That was two months ago.

Now, in scheme of things, our websites are not what you'd call big hitters, y'know. The three together would get around only 8,000 visitors each month, give or take a few hundred. So, I wasn't expecting big returns, as I knew that majority of people don't like to complete surveys anyway. But, I was hopeful of *some* response.

Well, overall response for that period was around 0.5%! Not very good, I thought, but better than nothing, I suppose. ;-(

"Look at those numbers", I said, plaintively.

"Well, now, dear," says Sherry, "at least you can establish some sort of pattern or percentages..." She looks at me, "At least you'll know more than you did two months ago!"

Hmmm, yes, that's true. Even though numbers are small, distribution of answers is more important, after all. I could have used a number of online services to conduct survey, but I'd decided at outset to collect all data myself. So, after a bit of number mangling, I shouted out to Sherry, still fixated on her screen.

"Lissen t'this: 66% of respondents didn't even *know* about interactive facilities and - hey, this gets better - again only 70% say that they'd only *maybe* use it, even if it was available!" Sherry grunted acknowledgement, but carried on with her work. "Hey," I said, "there's more - two-thirds of those who knew about those tools gave a big thumbs *down* about using them!" Furiously, I went over survey data again, "Get this: not *one* respondent gave a definite "yes" to using HumanClick and suchlike." I shook my head in wonder...

You go into a department store and, after a while, you're sure that all sales staff have been abducted by aliens, right? It's true: you can never find a sales assistant when you want one, right? But...when a sales assistant on a website is begging to be bothered, to give his/her visitor all help needed, nobody wants it! Or, only a very qualified "maybe".

"Well, what about that?" I says to Sherry, finally.

Sherry moved in her chair, but didn't quite get her eyes off prize..."I'm not surprised", she murmurs, as she clicks some more on keyboard and mouse.

"Hmmm," I said to myself, "wonder if HumanClick or LiveHelper did any surveys first *before* they developed their programs?"

Now, there's a thought. After a while, I called out again to Sherry: "So, I guess we'll wait a bit, huh, see what happens with LiveHelper and others? Waddya reckon, eh?"

"What ever you say, dear...what ever you say."

Bio Benefits: http://www.tamingthebeast.net/articles/biobenefits.htm

Reassuring your visitors: http://www.tamingthebeast.net/articles/reassurance.htm

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In clear = danger - When you are asked to submit sensitive details such as credit card numbers, check your browser address bar. Does address begin with https:? If it doesn't, you will be submitting details "in clear" - unprotected. The https signifies a secure line of communications using inbuilt browser encryption, these days it is about as secure as you can hope for.

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If you have ability to bank online; it's probably wise to log in every couple of days to review transactions. The major banks, while quick to sniff out fraudulent activities these days, don't always pick up on fraudulent transactions. If you do see something that looks suspicious in your transaction history, don't panic, but immediately contact your bank who may freeze your account while they investigate. In majority of cases, you won't be liable for invalid transactions. But I will say that having your account compromised is very frustrating as it can take a week or two to reissue cards. And if, like me, you utilise online services frequently you'll find it a time consuming ordeal while contacting your suppliers to tell them of changes.

The other major issue is identity theft. Why steal another persons credit card numbers when you can get your own under an assumed identity. I watched a disturbing report a few weeks ago concerning head of a security firm; who incidentally refused to have an Internet connection at home, or carry out any personal transactions online. He challenged workers within organisation to see how much information they could collate regarding him; using only Internet as a tool.

The pile of documentation that was gathered within a couple of weeks was frightening. The file he was presented with was over two inches thick and contained amongst other things a certified copy of his birth certificate. With that type of information, a person could obtain a credit card, a drivers license, etc. etc. and happily build up huge bills under his name. There are many documented cases of identity theft and it has ruined innocent people's lives.

There are many "spy" services out there, that for only a few bucks are quite willing to provide anyone with enough information to begin building a usable personal profile. It's legal to provide this sort of information which includes court records, bankruptcy details, marriage and birth certificates. Even more disturbing is that a number of these services are provided by our Governments.

If you should start receiving strange bills for items you didn't order from companies you have never heard of, don't disregard them as billing mistakes. You may be victim of identity theft. Contact your bank manager and law enforcement authorities immediately; it's better to be safe than sorry.

Whether netizen or web master, we can't stop credit card fraud or identity theft, but we can minimise it by being aware and taking responsibility for amount of information we give away or store. This may cut down on number of Script Kiddie type activities we are currently witnessing on Internet.

To Script Kiddies; if you think that credit card fraud, identity theft and other amateur hacking activities is kinda exciting and cool, just wait until it lands you in jail and see how exciting and cool that's gonna be! You will be caught; it's just a matter of time. I've been having a lot of fun lately busting you guys for port scanning. I'm sure police will find a lot of other interesting details on your computers that you've been hiding from your parents.

To scammers and spammers that have been trying to get me to open bank accounts, participate in illegal MLM and "surplus oil money" schemes; watch this space... your names and details will appear here soon! I'm more than happy to use same technology you have used to target me to make your details public.

To merchant that supplied not only my details but thousands of others illegally; it was comforting to hear that you have been caught and face a hefty jail sentence. May you live in interesting times.....

Michael Bloch  michael@tamingthebeast.net  http://www.tamingthebeast.net Tutorials, web content and tools, software and community. Web Marketing, eCommerce & Development solutions. _____________________________________________ 

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