More than half of the UK population still does not shop online,
with security fears putting off many.
Electronic payment systems firm
CyberSource commissioned
research among 1,000 consumers.
Reasons for not shopping online ranged from a simple preference
for high street shopping to lack of a computer or internet access,
but 41% of those that did not said online security was a fear.
Of the full sample - including those that did shop online - 66%
said they were concerned about the level of risk in web
shopping.
According to survey respondents, the most common source of
information about the safety of online shopping is stories in the
media, which focused on crimes or losses of credit card
information.
But consumers also relied on friends and family for advice.
About a third of survey respondents said they or someone they know
has been a victim of online credit card fraud.
"With the abundance of media coverage about security breaches,
it is not surprising that some shoppers are frightened off," said
Simon Stokes, managing director of CyberSource.
"The challenge to the industry is educating consumers to shop
safely, to minimise their exposure to fraud. As more people gain
access to the internet and realise the convenience, value and
safety of shopping online, I believe we will see a higher
percentage trying and staying with this form of purchase," he
said.
According to the survey, UK shoppers are taking some basic
precautions to protect themselves from fraud when shopping
online.
The survey found that 68% of online shoppers have now signed up
for the MasterCard SecureCode or Verified by Visa programmes, which
provide password security for online credit card users.
Also, 57% use credit cards for the additional protection they
offer, and 86% look for the secure padlock icon on a website before
proceeding with a purchase.