A spate of reports about computer-related crimes since the start of the year has sparked concern among analysts and security experts that hackers will drive consumers away from the Internet and online shopping. Last month, customer credit card numbers were stolen from online retailer CD Universe and posted online, user passwords were pilfered from a California Internet service provider controlled by SBC Communications Inc., and a Bulgarian hacker was indicted on charges of theft of credit-card numbers from an unidentified online company. Experts say such incidents reflect widespread security flaws. Internet companies in a hurry to throw up Web sites often overlook proper security measures in their haste, the experts say.
Internet companies are aware of the hacker threat.
Sales of security software makers such as Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. and VeriSign Inc. have soared in the last year as companies beef up security, spurred in part by high-profile attacks. The most sophisticated security can be compromised. Internet companies may be in particular jeopardy, since by nature they attract young, inexperienced programmers, experts said. Rather than keeping outsiders at bay, companies now want to share data with customers and suppliers over the Internet to cut costs and increase efficiency. Opening up corporate computer systems can lead to unnoticed holes springing in the security dike.