After enjoying phenomenal growth in its first 10 years, Internet commerce faces new
challenges amid growing fears of viruses, spyware and a range of fraud scheme.

The e-commerce revolution led by companies like eBay and Amazon.com, both created a
decade ago, has made the Internet a permanent part of the world of commerce. But even as
more consumers join the rush, many are growing fearful about maintaining their privacy,
protecting their personal data and the potential of falling victim to nefarious elements in
cyberspace.

A survey of US Web users by the Pew Internet and American Life Project released this month
shows 91 percent have changed the way they behave online as they try to avoid these
problems.

Among the other findings of the survey: 81 percent said they stopped opening e-mail
attachments unless they are sure these documents are safe; 48 percent have stopped
visiting sites that they fear might deposit unwanted programs on their computers; and 25
percent have stopped downloading music or video files from peer-to-peer networks to avoid
things like spyware.

"But what is more alarming is the larger universe of people who have struggled with
mysterious computer problems, but have no idea why. Internet users are increasingly
frustrated and frightened that they are not in charge of their Internet experience."


- By WASHINGTON (AFP)