Web Shoppers 'Go For Clear Features Over Security'

Many British broadband users are surprisingly lax about security when they buy goods and services online, it has emerged.

Research from online payments provider Paypoint.net has shown that around 80 per cent of internet shoppers "would trust" a website to buy goods from regardless of its security credentials, if it had a simple, clear payment process. This finding comes despite 98 per cent of the customers telling Paypoint.net that they would check the shopping site for some kind of security feature before making the transaction.

Moreover, the firm found that 97 per cent of broadband shoppers prefer to buy from bigger brands over small businesses - despite the firms not necessarily offering a higher level of security to the customer.

Commenting on the research, James Roper, chief executive of the Interactive Retail and Marketing Group, said: "It is surprising more people don't gravitate towards smaller businesses, given the very advanced levels of security awareness uncovered by the survey.

"The paradox is that smaller companies' security may well be better than that of their much larger rivals. We urge consumers to remain vigilant, whilst taking advantage of the better service, wider choice and lower prices which smaller online businesses can offer."
 

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