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1. Security & Privacy Issues for
the Consumer & Site Owner
By: Alexandra MacLeod and Liane Van Diepen
10039412/12063364
20 March 2013

2. Introduction
 Security
 Types of Risks
 Privacy
 Data Protection Act 1998
 Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations
 Cookies
 Email Marketing and SPAM
 Managerial Implications & Preventative Measures

3. Security - Consumer Concerns
 Stolen credit card details
 Phishing
 Downloading viruses
 Website has security
certificates
Source: Smart Insights (2012)

4. Security – Site Owner
 What is information security?
 Ensuring your website is available 24 hours a day for your
customers
 Ensuring only the correct people can administer the website’s
content
 Preventing unauthorised alteration or destruction of your data
 Avoiding your website being used to distribute other peoples’
software
 Ensuring that your employees cannot accidentally delete
valuable information
 Stopping your website being used to damage users’ computers
 Protecting your reputation
Source: Watson Hall Security, Smart Insights (2012)

5. Types of Security Risks
 Denial of Service Attack
 Hacking
 Destruction of Data - viruses
 Malware
 Phishing
 Secure Payments/Website Encryption
Source: Watson Hall Security (2013);
Symantec Internet Security Threat
Report (2012);

6. Denial of Service Attack
 Hackers overload website
with traffic
 Website can't handle
volume and shuts down
 Major disruption to service

7. Hacking
 Unauthorised website
access/publication
 Malicious intent /
monetary gain
 The Sun newspaper
hacked by infamous
LulzSec hacking group
 1 million online users
 Data Protection
obligations

8. Destruction of Data - Viruses
 Computer viruses can shut
down company websites
 I Love You Virus
 Attachment sent via email
 Overwrites photo/video
files
 Shutdown websites
including Ford and Chrysler
due to employees opening
infected email attachments

9. Malicious Software on Websites
 “When it comes to computer
viruses, you’re now more
likely to catch one visiting a
church website than surfing for
porn” – Symantec (2012)
 Malware – viruses, worms,
Trojans, bots
 Infects website the user’s
computers
 Downloadable files on websites
are a hotbed for viruses
 External content on websites
such as videos and photos are
virus-prone
Source : Symantec Internet Security
Threat Report (2012)

10. Secure Payments/Website
Encryption
 Secure payments
 Well known payment system such as
WorldPal or PayPal which uses encryption
 Use Transport Layer Security (TLS) and
Secure Socket Layers (SSL) certificates to
reassure customers:
 Padlock
 HTTPS
 Green Address Bar
 Legally incorporated name
Source: Global Sign, (2013)

11. Phishing
 Masquerades as an official
website communication
 Requests users' login
information
 Uses information to
fraudulently obtain funds
from their account
 Who is responsible for the
customer’s loss?

12. Managerial Implications
 Reputational damage
 Trust
 Disruption
 Inconvenience
 Loss of traffic
 Costs

13. Managerial Preventative Measures
 Secure website design from
the beginning –
difficult/expensive to add
later
 Antivirus software is always
up to date
 Firewalls
 Phishing notifications via
email
 Employee email filtering
 Securesign SSL/TLS
Certificates
 Split login screens

14. Privacy
 Data Protection Act 1998
 How data is collected and used
 Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations
 Cookies
 Email Marketing and SPAM

15. Consumer Concerns
 Data leakage – how secure
is my data and what
happens if it is lost/leaked?
 Data use without consent
 Annoyance/Waste of time
 Not having opt in/opt out
notices
Source: Smart Insights (2012)

16. Data Protection Act 1998
 Eight Principles:
 1. Fairly and lawfully processed
 2. Processed for limited purposes
 3. Adequate, relevant and not excessive
 4. Accurate and up to date
 5. Not kept longer than necessary
 6. Processed in accordance with the individuals rights
 7. Secure
 8. Not transferred to a country outside the EEC unless it
has adequate protection
Most breached principle in
2012

17. Data Protection Act 1998
 Applies to customers as well
as employees
 Personal data
 Name, address, NI Number
 Sensitive data
 Political views, religion,
ethnicity
 Data subject access requests
 Enforced by the Information
Commissioner’s Office

18. Data Protection Non-compliance
 Monetary – up to £500,000
 Undertaking
 Prosecution

19. Privacy and Electronic
Communications Regulations
 Electronic Marketing
Activities
 Email marketing and
SPAM
 Cookies
 Enforced by the Information
Commissioners Office

20. Cookies
 What is a Cookie?
 A small text file that stores user
information on their computer
 What is it used for?
 Shopping cart
 Personalisation
 Cookie Ingredients
 Domain
 Name
 Value
 Expiry
 Path
 Secure
 HTTP only

21. Privacy Directive 26 May 2012
 Website notification that cookies are in use
 Gives option/instructions how to disable and find further
information

22. Email Marketing and SPAM
 What is SPAM?
 Emails sent without consent
 Sent in bulk and impersonalised
 Email Marketing Regulations
 Consent must be given to receive marketing communications - except where there is a
defined relationship
 Must contain an unsubscribe link in the email
 ICO can investigate complaints relating to SPAM sent from the UK

23. Email Marketing and SPAM
 Consent
 User must “opt in” rather than
“opt out” – i.e. the check box
should be unticked
 Must be made clear that they are
consenting to receive
communications
 What is a defined
relationship/soft opt-in?
 Obtained customer details during
course of previous sale
transaction
 Marketing is of similar products
 Option to opt-out is given in
every future message

24. PECR Non-compliance
 Written request for
compliance
 Monetary – up to £500,000
 Undertaking
 Prosecution

25. Managerial Implications
 Large fines
 Reputational damage
 Trust
 Angry customers

26. Managerial/Consumer
Preventative Measures
 Appoint a Data Controller for your
organisation who will be
responsible for DPA and PECR
obligations – legal obligation under
DPA
 Ensure fully compliant with all
legislation and regulations
 Security and privacy notices on
the website in plain English to
reassure customers
 Be careful who your email address
is given to
 Don’t click on spam and
attachments
 Unsubscribe/ Opt out

27. Conclusion
 Security
 Priority
 Reassurance for customers
 Privacy
 Comply with laws and regulations
to avoid punishment
 Reassurance for customers
 For more information:
 Symantec Internet Security
Threat Report 2011 (published
April 2012)
 ICO website

28. References
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