64% of US consumers discard online shopping

A new poll by the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) revealed that 64% of US consumers have declined online purchases on security concerns.

Providing an explanation to their behavior 60% of Americans said they were not sure if the site was secure, 51.4% were worried about providing information requested, and 48.4% felt a website requested more information than was necessary for the transaction.

"The Internet is a fabulous, convenient resource for gift givers to get a jumpstart on their holiday shopping and bargain hunting, but people need to stay aware and alert about the risks," said NCSA Executive Director Michael Kaiser.

"If there is any doubt about the security or authenticity of a website, hold off making the purchase."

The poll found 69.3% of Americans research potential purchases on the Internet, 68% make purchases online, 62.4% make online payments, and 38% buy items from online auction sites.