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2010-07-21
Is online payment processing overtaking the high street?
While online payment processing contributed to a record e-commerce sales boom in the UK in June, a new report has found that high street retailers in Scotland felt the pinch.
According to the latest SRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor, like-for-like sales were 1.1 per cent lower in June than in the same month the previous year.
Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) director Fiona Moriarty described the figures as "concerning".
She reckons the lower number of sales can be put down to the impact of public sector cuts on the wider Scottish economy.
However, online retailers in the UK reported a stunning period of growth in June, with year-on-year sales up by over 20 per cent.
KPMG's head of retail in Scotland David McCorquodale commented: "Scotland's high street may have felt busier with the start of the Scottish school holidays and brief spell of fine weather in June, but retailers continued to experience tough times."
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2010-02-16
Visa online payment processing called for in Bali
Tour operators in Bali are calling for an online payment processing system to be set up to allow visitors to pay for their visas over the internet, it has been reported.
Tour operators in Bali are calling for an online payment processing system to be set up to allow visitors to pay for their visas over the internet, it has been reported.
By accepting credit cards online, the visa payment process will be simplified and queues at Ngurah Rai International Airport will be cut, the Jakarta Post suggested.
"As people become more technologically savvy, it would be better to implement an online visa payment system," Aloysius Purwa, chairman of the Bali branch of the Association of the Indonesia Tour and Travel Agencies, told the news provider.
Not only would an online payment processing service cut queues at the airport, a particularly important benefit for those arriving late at night after long-haul flights, it would also minimise corruption, Mr Purwa added.
Furthermore, security would not be compromised as applicants' identities would be verified before visas are issued at the airport, Mr Purwa explained.
The UK already operates an online application and payment process for visa applications, with the majority of internet-based applications coming from the Americas.
read more 2010-02-16
More consumers 'prepared to pay for online content'
More consumers are prepared to use online payment processing to pay for content than previously thought, a survey has revealed.
More consumers are prepared to use online payment processing to pay for content than previously thought, a survey has revealed.
The report by global information firm Nielsen found that a third of the 27,000 people questioned in 52 countries would consider paying to access a newspaper website, with those under the age of 35 more likely to do so.
Just under one in ten revealed that they already use online payment processing to access news online.
The results are "remarkably promising", Nic Covey, who compiled the research at Nielsen, told the Financial Times.
"Digitally native people have developed an appreciation of the value of online content and of platform-agnostic content - they see as much value in content online as offline, so show a higher propensity to pay," Mr Covey said of younger internet users.
One of the other key findings from the survey was that nearly a third thought there should be no advertising on sites they had paid to view.
In a blog post last month, Mr Covey suggested that "good and useful" content will always find patrons.
read more 2010-02-15
UK gov't to tackle cybercrime
The government has set up a specialist cyber enforcement team to aid the fight against fraudsters who target those using online credit card processing and other internet users.
The government has set up a specialist cyber enforcement team to aid the fight against fraudsters who target those using online credit card processing and other internet users.
Each year, scams hit three million UK consumers and con them out of £3.5 billion, with fake emails the most common approach taken by fraudsters.
Consumer minister Kevin Brennan said the new team and extra funding for Trading Standards will ensure the UK remains ahead of cybercriminals.
"It presents massive opportunities for consumers, but unfortunately it also harbours fraudsters who can leave consumers upset and out of pocket," he commented.
A total of £4.3 million will be invested over three years, with money used for specialist equipment and training.
The initiative will give the public even greater confidence to use online credit card processing, added Heather Clayton, senior director of the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).
Everyone shopping online should ensure the website they buy from uses a secure method of online credit card processing or other payment, the OFT advised.
read more 2010-02-15
Smartphone security market 'will increase alongside their use'
With smartphones being used for an increasingly wide range of purposes, including online payment processing and finding local services, the need for improved security for the handheld gadgets will also grow.
With smartphones being used for an increasingly wide range of purposes, including online payment processing and finding local services, the need for improved security for the handheld gadgets will also grow.
Although features such as anti-theft devices are not likely to be provided as standard with smartphones, they will be easily available as optional extras, said Natasha Stokes, editor of Mobile Choice magazine.
"It's increasingly likely for your mobile to be your internet hub and hence the place where you store and access sensitive information, from account passwords to conducting bank transactions," she commented.
Research being carried out at the University of Leicester highlights that criminals are increasingly turning away from household burglaries to personal muggings, as the technology people carry around with them, from mobile phones to MP3 players, becomes more advanced.
Strategy Analytics said that global smartphone shipments jumped 30 per cent year-on-year during the final three months of 2009.
read more 2010-02-15
Different browsers useful for different purposes, IT commentator says
People organising their online billing solutions could look to a different browser than a consumer using credit card processing for a purchase, it has been suggested.
People organising their online billing solutions could look to a different browser than a consumer using credit card processing for a purchase, it has been suggested.
In future, users will be happy to use more than one browser for a variety of reasons, suggested John Dunn, associate editor at IT news website Techworld.
The market share of Microsoft's Internet Explorer has already been in steady decline for some time, he explained, although it will probably remain the single biggest browser.
At the end of 2009, the European Commission (EC) adopted an offer from Microsoft to give European users of the Windows operating system a choice of browsers.
The move addresses EC concerns that the computing giant may have breached EU rules on abuse of a dominant market position in tying the browser to Windows.
Under the change, manufacturers can now install other browsers and turn Internet Explorer off.
read more 2010-02-11
Mobile credit card processing 'could become more popular'
Mobile credit card processing could become a more common type of transaction, as Brits increasingly turn to their handheld devices to browse the internet.
Mobile credit card processing could become a more common type of transaction, as Brits increasingly turn to their handheld devices to browse the internet.
Accessing websites through devices such as smartphones became mainstream largely because people wanted to access social networks on the go and search for things while out, explained Natasha Stokes, editor of Mobile Choice magazine.
As the technology is improving and becoming more accessible, this trend is set to continue, she predicted.
Consumers will turn to their mobiles for purchases, banking and online billing, news and media, Ms Stokes suggested.
According to figures from the Global System for Mobile communications Association, 16 million people in the UK accessed the internet from their mobile phone in December 2009.
During the month, they viewed 6.7 billion pages and spend 4.8 billion minutes online via their smartphones. Facebook and Google were the most popular pages.
read more 2010-02-11
Use of mobile online billing solutions to grow, report shows
The 17 per cent of adults currently using mobile banking services such as online billing solutions and Direct Debit payment processing is set to increase to 22 per cent over the next 12 months, a new report has revealed.
The 17 per cent of adults currently using mobile banking services such as online billing solutions and Direct Debit payment processing is set to increase to 22 per cent over the next 12 months, a new report has revealed.
Findings from the study by the Mobile Marketing Association and Luth Research detailed the use of mobile banking, with 11 per cent accessing services via a mobile web browser, eight per cent through text messaging and nearly six per cent by specialised applications.
Many respondents said they prefer their online billing solutions to provide information such as account balances or the nearest branches or cash machines.
"The data provides clear evidence that mobile is becoming a viable platform for banking," commented Jacqueline Rosales, executive vice-president of business development and client service at Luth Research.
She said the next step will be to migrate consumers to transaction-based mobile banking services.
The increasing popularity of using smartphones to browse the internet has also been highlighted by Mobile Choice magazine editor Natasha Stokes, who suggested that consumers will use their phones to make purchases more often.
read more 2010-02-10
Several security layers 'essential for all'
There will always be new ways for cyber criminals to target people, so having several layers of security in place is vital, especially when utilising online payment processing.
There will always be new ways for cyber criminals to target people, so having several layers of security in place is vital, especially when utilising online payment processing.
Commenting on the news that Mozilla unwittingly offered malware and Trojan extensions in its official releases, IT security expert Tom Kelchner urged all internet users to become familiar with the concept of "defence in depth".
Mr Kelchner, research centre manager at Sunbelt Software, said: "Everyone should have several layers of security - certainly a malware scanner and firewall."
Computer users should not rely on the safety of downloads and have their machines scan everything periodically, he continued.
Figures from Websense have also highlighted the need for high-level internet security, especially when entering personal details such as credit card information and addresses.
Nearly three-quarters of websites with malicious code are legitimate sites that have been compromised, the digital security company warned.
read more 2010-02-09
Dubai organisations launch online payment processing system
Two leading Dubai financial organisations have joined forces to launch online payment processing to help customers.
Two leading Dubai financial organisations have joined forces to launch online payment processing to help customers.
The Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED) and Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) have signed an agreement to allow people to pay new trade license fees via online payment processing, as part of plans to save time and effort for investors.
Mr Sami Al Qamzi, director general of the DED, said that the organisation is pleased to sign the agreement and believes it will boost the service offered to customers.
"DED is always on the look-out to ensure the continuity of communication with customers to meet their requirements in a timely manner taking into account the necessary efforts to connect with the community," he added.
Mr Abdulla Al Hamli, chief executive officer of the DIB, stated that the online payment processing will help entrepreneurs wanting to establish their business in the emirate as it is more convenient.
Earlier this month the Dubai eGovernment, an online portal for the emirate's residents, said that it has seen increased adoption of electronic services, including online payment processing, in 2009 when compared to previous years.
read more 2010-02-08
Online fraudsters use Valentine's Day to get cash
Internet fraud is predicted to rise ahead of Valentine's Day, as people are approached by others on dating websites who use online payment processing to scam customers.
Internet fraud is predicted to rise ahead of Valentine's Day, as people are approached by others on dating websites who use online payment processing to scam customers.
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has warned that the upcoming celebrations will lead to a rise in fraud, as singletons are targeted by scammers.
Heather Clayton, senior director of the OFT's consumer group, said that many people will take advantage of the rise in online dating to ask for money.
"All fraud is destructive but dating scammers are particularly ruthless as they abuse the emotional trust and attachment," she added.
The OFT's Consumer Direct division warned people not to give money via online payment processing systems without checking where it is going and that the source is secure.
Alan Phillips, chief executive officer of security company 7Safe, recently said that online fraudsters are becoming more sophisticated and he believes that the risk to online payment processing users is ongoing.
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