In the same way we try to keep our private lives behind closed doors, we install high-tech alarm systems in our homes to keep intruders out, and keep our money under lock and key in financial institutions.
So, it was surprising to find out that our privacy and security concerns are not being addressed online, although we are being led into a false sense of security by the organisations we deal with.
Recent research by Unisys Australia revealed that out of three million sites tested for security flaws on the World Wide Web, 80 percent were open to attack by hackers, criminals and vandals.
Even more frightening was the fact that the majority of banks in Australia were among the lengthy list of Web sites lacking in their so-called tight-fisted security policies. So maybe it's a case of going back to the old ways of keeping our hard earned cash under the mattress at home, rather than having our bankcard details swimming around in cyberspace.
The question is, why are financial institutions telling 'porky pies' (lies) when it comes to network security, instead of implementing the appropriate technology on their systems?
According to Unisys's Architecture Director, IT Security Consulting Services Ajoy Ghosh, the solution to achieving full compliance is relatively easy - simply get the right advice!
Most technologists are exploiting the fear of cyberspace to make an extra buck, so firms are being led up the garden path, spending huge amounts of money on the wrong technology. Consequently, they are then stuck with a Web site, which isn't totally secure for customers to make a transaction on.
So, from the evidence before us, it would seem that nobody is safe in Australia to make a transaction online.
The security sector is screwing the financial institutions and the financial institutions are screwing the customers. Sooner or later, there will be a backlash and banks will be forced to provide better security or face penalties higher than the costs of implementing the technology itself.
Well, we can only hope anyway.
