Phishing Techniques ProceduresDescription of the Research DesignThe design will use written survey method to test the effectiveness of whether educating online consumers could prove to be beneficial in increasing their trust and enabling them to increase their online shopping activities. Description of the SampleThe purposive sample will be taken from the population of potential online consumers above the age of 18 years. The entire study will be conducted online targeting consumers who have the potential to shop over the internet but fail to do so due to fears of being cheated. Description of the Instrument UsedThe type of instrument to be used to measure the variables in the study is a subject-completed instrument: written-responses to multiple choice questions. The research plan is set up so that the researcher can use the survey method to administer and test a varied sample of online consumers. Explanation of the Procedures FollowedThe procedures were followed with the online community consumers and potential buyers and users who logged onto the E-bay site were asked to take a short survey. Users would be asked to sign a consent form to ensure that they were above the age of 18 years. Consumers would be given 2 surveys; one before the PowerPoint presentation to educate them about phishing and what can be done by them to avoid it while engaging in online shopping behaviors. Both the questionnaires surveys would be short and to-the-point multiple choice questions so that consumers can take the survey quickly without wasting any time. Discussion of ValidityA major issue with the validity of the study are the other essential factors which could impact consumer beahvior including price and the time constraints they may have. Delivery of goods and previous experinces could also influence the study in a mjor way. Additionally, gender bias could be an essential validity constraint in the study with more males preferring to engage in consumer behaviors as compared to females. Education and internet access are important aspects which could affect the outcome since those with no access to computers and iunetrnet or with lack of online shopping knowledge could be deterrred from online consumer activities. Discussion & ConclusionThus, it is apparent that business today are taking place through several processes which involve sellers, customers, intermediate business partners which look after several aspects of the transaction processes (Chen, Jihong, and Robert, 2009). With the use of computer technology and the internet business models are being implemented so that businesses are becoming more wide spread and globalized, and managed efficiently to enhance sales and increase profitability. Phishing and online fraud are major deterrents of online consumerism and it is necessary to educate and inform individuals regarding these activities by creating awareness programs through websites and presentations on the internet (Ponnurangam Kumaraguru, 2006). Web users and regular web surfers must be informed of the various ways in which phishing activities could occur and how their sensitive information could be compromised and leaked to benefit phishers. The damages of phishing are plenty and can result in not only in the loss of access to personal emails but also monetary rip-off to companies who rely chiefly on E-business for the generation of their income. Phishing results in declining profit margins of companies and causes a highly negative impact in E-business. As such it is essential for companies and organizations to educate and inform online consumers about any abnormal phishing activities which can take place with anyone anytime anywhere. (This is only a random excerpt and should strictly be used as a sample only. To view the complete paper, click here) |