November 20, 2003, Arlington, VA -- U.S. Internet users intend to do some holiday shopping online this year; however, their confidence in the security of the online shopping experience points to a need for fraud prevention education.

According to an independent survey recently released by the Business Software Alliance (BSA), more than 63 percent of Internet users in the United States will do some of their holiday shopping online. However, these same respondents voiced security concerns about making purchases over the Internet. A large majority are concerned a great deal or a fair amount about information being sold to a third party (83 percent), information stolen from Web databases (79 percent), transmitting a credit card number (76 percent), transmitting address or personal information (77 percent) and receiving unwanted e-mails (72 percent).

The Better Business Bureau, which is partnering with BSA to advise Internet users how to shop safely online this holiday season, called the survey results enlightening.

"The BBB and other organizations have done a great job of alerting consumers to the risks they may face when making purchases online. It's time now to emphasize how to reduce those risks. If online shoppers exercise their common sense, trust their instincts, and take basic protective measures, they are likely to enjoy a safe, comfortable gift-buying experience this holiday season," said Ken Hunter, president and CEO of the Council of Better Business Bureaus and BBBOnLine (www.bbbonline.org).

Hunter noted that online shoppers face two distinct challenges: identifying reputable merchants (and avoiding dishonest vendors) and protecting against online threats to their personal security.

The simplest advice for avoiding dishonest merchants is to ignore unsolicited e-mail offers or advertisements from unknown individuals or businesses. "Too-good-to-be-prices are offered by too-good-to-be-true vendors," the CBBB President cautioned.

Instead of responding to enticing offers that arrive unannounced in e-mail boxes, the BBB advises online shoppers to make their holiday purchases from reliable, trustworthy Web sites that have satisfactory marketplace records with the BBB. Also, seek out Web sites that willingly provide customer service contacts and that post a written refund and exchange policy, shipping/transaction costs and security and privacy protection information.

The second challenge for online shoppers, cyber-security, has exploded with the growth of high speed, "always on" Internet access. "Online shoppers that don't take protection measures to secure their computers and personal information can fall victim to a silent, yet very successful intruder: the identity thief," Hunter warned. The BBB has established an Identity Theft Web site (www.bbb.org/idtheft) with helpful tips for consumers on how to protect their electronic files when shopping online.

Bob Kruger, BSA vice president for enforcement, agreed with the need to educate consumers on how to identify reputable merchants and improve their cyber security. "Our study showed that U.S. respondents will use the Internet to purchase many different types of gifts this holiday season. By taking basic precautions, online shoppers can enjoy the benefits of legitimate, legal e-commerce."

The BSA study, conducted by the independent research firm, Ipsos Public Affairs, showed that 43 percent and 49 percent of U.S. shoppers will purchase software and computer hardware, respectively, online this year. The study also found that when it comes to purchasing software online, 75 percent in the U.S. say it is more important to obtain legitimate software than it is to save money and risk buying fraudulent products.

As two of the preeminent organizations dedicated to promoting a safe and legal digital world, the BBB and BSA offer the following 10 tips to online shoppers contemplating software and other purchases and guidance on how to improve their cyber security:

1. Do Your Homework. What do you know about the merchant or its Web site? A trust mark from BBBOnLine signifies the merchant has agreed to a code of business practices. Also, knowing the retailer's address, phone number or URL permits you to check for a Reliability Report with the BBB (go to www.bbb.org, look for the "Check It Out" box and click on "Business"). Be particularly vigilant at auction sites; check the feedback section to find comments about the seller based on previous transactions.

2. Leave Nothing to Chance. Have a thorough understanding of what's involved in making the purchase. Be clear on the price, the company's refund and return policy, its customer satisfaction policy and customer service contact, any shipping and handling charges, the terms of any guarantees, and the delivery timeframe. Print out a copy of your order and confirmation number and the URL "address" of the merchant.

3. Trust Your Instincts. Check the online seller's price against the estimated retail value of the product you are purchasing. Whether it is being sold as new or used, if a price for the product seems too good to be true, it probably is.

4. Pay by Credit Card. Paying with cash, debit cards, ATM cards or electronic funds transfers offer less protection than using a credit card. If you use a credit card, you have the right to dispute the bill, your liability for fraudulent charges is limited to $50 under the Fair Credit Billing Act and your card issuer probably provides additional warranty rights.

5. Security and Privacy Counts. Never give out your Internet password and guard all personal information. Only provide your credit card information in a secure environment. Look for the prefix https:// in the Uniform Resource Locator box which lists the web site's address to be sure that a site you are using is secure. Look for the Web site's privacy guidelines and make certain you agree with its privacy protection measures before you make a purchasing decision.

6. Be Careful When Crossing the Border. Be especially cautious when dealing with sellers in other countries. The physical distance, differences in legal systems, and other factors could complicate matters if the transaction goes awry.

7. If Purchasing Software Make Sure It's Authentic. Read the label. Be suspicious of software products that do not include proof of authenticity, such as original disks, manuals, licensing, warranties, etc. Beware of products that do not look genuine, such as those with hand-written labels. Take special care to avoid sellers offering "back-up" copies. This is a clear indication that the software is illegal. Be wary of compilations of software titles from different publishers on a single disk or CD.

8. Install Anti-Virus Software and a Firewall. Does your computer(s) have anti-virus software installed? Most anti-virus software includes an automatic update feature. Make sure it is activated. A firewall will protect your computer(s) from unauthorized access to and use by hackers.

9. Check for Security Updates. Security updates should be checked every 30 days for programs installed on computers and operating systems. Allow for automatic updating and/or subscribe to a notification service provided by the vendor.

10. Report Problems. For assistance in resolving a dispute with an online merchant, consumers can file a complaint at the BBB Web site (www.bbb.org). Buyers suspecting software piracy, counterfeit software and/or fraud on auction sites should contact law enforcement agencies and BSA at 1.888.NOPIRACY or www.bsa.org/usa. Report cyber attacks to local law enforcement agencies and the IT provider.

* Survey Methodology: According to Ipsos Public Affairs (www.Ipsos-Reid.com), the study, which was conducted in four countries, focused on holiday shopping behavior and the Internet. The margin of error for this study, conducted in September 2003, is +/- 4 percent per country (U.S., U.K., Japan and Mexico).

The Council of Better Business Bureaus (www.bbb.org) is the umbrella organization for BBBs that serve communities across the U.S. Funded by 300,000 business members, the BBB system provides more than 41 million instances of service each year to consumers and businesses seeking information to make a wise purchasing decision or assistance with resolving marketplace disputes. BBBOnLine programs (www.bbbonline.org) offer tools and information to consumers and businesses in support of a safe online marketplace.

The Business Software Alliance (www.bsa.org) is the foremost organization dedicated to promoting a safe and legal digital world. BSA is the voice of the world's commercial software industry before governments and in the international marketplace. Its members represent one of the fastest growing industries in the world. BSA educates consumers on software management and copyright protection, cyber security, trade, e-commerce and other Internet-related issues. BSA members include Adobe, Apple, Autodesk, Avid, Bentley Systems, Borland, CNC Software/Mastercam, Internet Security Systems, Macromedia, Microsoft, Network Associates and Symantec.

If you are a consumer who is seeking additional information, or need assistance with a complaint against a business, please contact your local BBB or visit the BBB web site (www.bbb.org).