Web Payment Process and Electronic Funds Transfer

Most E-commerce systems on the Web involving businesses and consumers (B2C or business to consumer) depend on credit card payment processes.

But many B2B (business to business) E-commerce systems rely on more complex payment processes based on the use of purchase orders.

However both types of E-commerce typically use an electronic shopping cart process, which enables customer to select products from website catalog displays and put them temporarily in a virtual shopping basket for later checkout and processing.

Another one is electronic funds transfer (EFT). Electronic funds transfer systems are a major form of electronic payment systems in banking and retailing industries.

Electronic funds transfer systems use a variety of information technologies to capture and process money and credit transfers between banks and businesses and their customers.

For example, banking networks support teller terminals at all banks offices and automated teller machine (ATMs) at location through out the world.

Banks may also support pay-by-phone and Web-based bill payment services, which enable bank customers to use their telephones or networked PCs to electronically pay bills.

In addition, most point of sale terminals in retail stores are networked to bank EFT systems. This makes it possible for customer to use a credit card or debit card to instantly pay for gas, groceries, or other purchase at participating outlets.  
Web Payment Process and Electronic Funds Transfer 

Database Management

Microcomputer versions of database management programs have become so popular that they are now view as general purpose application software packages like word processing and spreadsheet packages.

Database management packages such as Microsoft Access, Lotus Approach, or Coral Paradox allow customer to set up and manage databases in PC, network server, or the World Wide Web.

Most database managers can perform four primary tasks.
Database development
Define and organize the content, relationship and structure of the data needed to build a database, including any hyperlinks to data on Web pages.

Database interrogation
Access the data in a database to display information in a variety of formats. End users can selectively retrieve and display information and produce forms, reports and other documents, including Web pages.

Database maintenance
Add, delete, update, and correct the data in a database, including hyperlinked data on Web pages.

Application development
Develop prototypes of Web pages, queries, forms, reports and labels for a proposed application. Use application generator to program application.
Database Management

Computer Viruses

One of the most destructive examples of computer crime involves the creation of computer viruses or worms. Virus is the more popular term but, technically, a virus is a program code that cannot work without being inserted into another program.

A worm is a distinct program that can run unaided. In either case, these programs copy annoying or destructive routines into the networked computer systems of anyone who accesses computers infected with the virus or who uses copies of disks taken from infected computer.

Thus, a computer virus or worm can spread destruction among many users. Though they sometimes display only humorous messages, they more often destroy the contents of memory, hard disks, and other storage devices. Copy routines in the virus or worms spread the virus and destroy the data and software of many computer users.

Computer viruses typically enter a computer system through E-mail and file attachments via the Internet and online services, or through illegal or borrowed copies of software. Copies of shareware software downloaded from the internet can be another source of viruses.

A virus usually copies itself into the files of a computer’s operating system. Then virus spreads to the main memory and copies itself onto the computer’s hard dick and any inserted disks.

The virus spreads to other computers though E-mail, file transfer, other telecommunications activities, or disks from infected computers. Thus, as a good practice, avoid using software from questionable sources without checking for viruses.

Also need to use regularly antivirus programs that can help diagnose and remove computer viruses from infected files on hard disk.
Computer Viruses

Electronic Payment Processes

Payment for the products and services purchased is an obvious and vital set of processes in electronic commerce transactions.

But payment processes are not simple, because of the near anonymous electronic nature of transactions taking place between networked computer systems of buyers and sellers, and many security issues involved.

Electronic commerce payment processes are also complex because of the wide variety of debit and credit alternatives and financial institutions and intermediaries that may be part of the processes therefore, a variety of electronic payment systems have evolved over time.

In addition, new payment systems are being developed and tested to meet the security and technical challenges of electronic commerce over Internet.
Electronic Payment Processes