Specifications

Most successful attacks on computer systems take advantage of well-known weaknesses such
as easily guessed passwords, common misconfigurations, and old versions of software. A few
sensible precautions can turn away nonexpert attacks and ensure that you have a backup if the
worst happens.
Failing to Attract Sufficient Business
Although attacks by crackers are widely feared, most e-commerce failures relate to traditional
economic factors. It costs a lot of money to build and market a major e-commerce site.
Companies are willing to lose money in the short term, based on assumptions that after the
brand is established in the market place, customer numbers and revenue will increase.
At the time of writing, Amazon.com, arguably the Web’s best-known retailer, has traded at a
loss for five consecutive years, losing $99 million (U.S.) in the first quarter of 2000. The string
of high-profile failures includes European boo.com, which ran out of money and changed
hands after burning $120 million in six months. It was not that Boo did not make sales; it was
just that they spent far more than they made.
Computer Hardware Failure
It almost goes without saying that if your business relies on a Web site, the failure of a critical
part of one of your computers will have an impact.
Busy or crucial Web sites justify having multiple redundant systems so that the failure of one
does not affect the operation of the whole system. As with all threats, you need to determine
whether the chance of losing your Web site for a day while waiting for parts or repairs justifies
the expense of redundant equipment.
Power, Communication, Network, or Shipping Failures
If you rely on the Internet, you are relying on a complex mesh of service providers. If your
connection to the rest of the world fails, you can do little other than wait for your supplier to
reinstate service. The same goes for interruptions to power service, and strikes or other stop-
pages by your delivery company.
Depending on your budget, you might choose to maintain multiple services from different
providers. This will cost you more, but will mean that, if one of your providers fails, you will
still have another. Brief power failures can be overcome by investing in an uninterruptible
power supply.
Extensive Competition
If you are opening a retail outlet on a street corner, you will probably be able to make a pretty
accurate survey of the competitive landscape. Your competitors will primarily be businesses
E-commerce and Security
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