The lurking perils of online transactions
Hundred of millions of people use Web mail, which is why in many ways e-mail is more important to keep secure than your bank account. Many people have important online accounts tied to a single Web mail address. If anyone gained access to your e-mail account, all accounts associated with it could be compromised as well.
E-commerce has been part of the retail world for more than a decade, and today's consumers seem to assume that because of this longevity, their transactions are secure. Beyond this, the average online shoppers are convinced their credit card numbers and other sensitive information are out of reach of attackers with a firewall and antivirus program, combined with shopping at brand-name retail sites.