E-Government in Malaysia

The implementation of electronic government (e-government) started since the initiation Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC), 1996, by the Malaysian government. Malaysia's ranking is 25th out of 32 countries in terms of e-government usage growth.


The motive of e-government in Malaysia is to improve the convenience, accessibility and quality of interactions with citizens and businesses. At the same time, it also to improve information flows and processes within government to improve the speed and quality of policy development, coordination and enforcement.


There are four types of e-government services that provided in Malaysia, this consists of Government-to-Citizen (G2C), Government-to-business (G2B), Government-to-Employee (G2E), and Government-to-Government (G2G).

There are many e-government Malaysia projects are in progress, such as Generic Office Environment (GOE), Electronic Procurement Project, Human Resource Management Information System, Electronic Directory Services (eServices), and so on.

However, there are some current application of e-government already in practice in Malaysia, for instance, E-Perolehan, e-Filling, Renewing Road Tax and Driving License online, and KWSP’s i-Akaun.


Problems that might faced by the users is about the trust, integrity and securities of the e-applications. New net users may find it difficult to use the e-applications because they don't know where to look for help or advice. Besides that, lack of knowledge and awareness of e-applications also another problem that not encouraging public to use those applications.

Malaysia government should actually organize campaigns on the awareness of e-government applications. Moreover, tighter and enhance the security and creditability of the e-applications data from easily being hacked.

Some useful links:-

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/2029204.stm
http://www.intanbk.intan.my/psimr/articles/Article1%20-%20Full.pdf
http://www.american.edu/initeb/ym6974a/egovernment.htm#E-Government%20Overview
http://portal.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=1328057.1328151&coll=&dl=GUIDE&type=series&idx=SERIES10714&part=series&WantType=Proceedings&title=AICPS

Corporate Blogging: A new marketing communication tool for companies

A corporate blog is a weblog published and used by the organization to reach the organizational goals. Blog can bring a human personality to a faceless company, which can create a connection between the corporation and the client. It is a new marketing communication tool for the companies.


An example of corporate blog is Dell's Direct2Dell. This team is extremely plugged in to the blogosphere and social media in general. The statement is right in the banner: "A blog about Dell products, services, and customers".

Advantages of corporate blogs:-

• Help the organization to develop stronger relationships and brand loyalty with its customers, as they interact with the human face of the organization through blogs.

• It shares useful and engaging content, for example, the latest information, discussion topics and ideas. When customers start commenting, posting or tracking back to blog, companies then able find a better ways to satisfy customers needs and wants, thus facilitating goodwill in the community.

Disadvantages of corporate blog:-

• It’s easy to start a blog but it is hard to be maintained. Writing coherently is one of the most difficult and time-consuming tasks for a human being to undertake.

• Could be harmful for company if some employees use to write negatively comments about the company, thus leading to bad publicity.
  

Some useful links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corporate_blog
http://www.newcommreview.com/?p=672
http://www.backbonemedia.com/blogsurvey/
http://www.enterpriseblogs.info/corporate-blogging/advantages
http://www.enterpriseblogs.info/corporate-blogging/disadvantages
http://direct2dell.com/one2one/archive/2007/05/01/13147.aspx
http://www.helium.com/items/254062-the-pros-and-cons-of-corporate-blogging
http://buzzmedia.com.my/blog/08/corporate-blogging-breakdown-what-it-and-why-does-my-organisation-need-it


Some prominent corporate blogs in Malaysia:-
http://www.flamed2.com/urban/
http://www.kidchanstudio.com/blog/
http://www.malaysiaairlinesblog.com/

Things to take note to prevent e-auction fraud when a consumer participating in an e-auction

Online auction are a great way to buy almost anything. Like the world’s biggest and strangest shopping mall, there are people selling things that you didn’t even know existed.

Types of e-auction frauds:-

Bid shielding is the practice of placing a low bid in an auction online and having a second person enter a bid that is high enough to get other bidders to drop out or not even bid. Then at the last second, the high bid is retracted and the low bid wins.

Misleading descriptions where sometimes descriptions include too much flowery language or omit important details.

Fake photos where almost every listing has a picture of the item with it. Dishonest sellers will put up a misleading photo or even a photo of a different item.


Prevention methods of e-auction frauds:-

• Some internet auctioneer such as Ebay does provide a voluntary program for the users to provide their information such as date of birth and driver’s license number for online verification purposes. Users are encouraged to subscribe for this program.

• The consumers can check up on the Feedback forum which is available in the auction website to find out the supplier’s trading reputation and the reliability of the auction website based on the comments given.

• The consumers should gain sufficient knowledge and education effort regarding online auction process and the fraud that might occurred.

• The seller should allow the buyer or the buyer’s representative to inspect the items before the auction starts and the buyers must take the initiative to check the items on the other hand.

• There is an insurance package program for certain auction transitions that can be taken up by the consumers. This insurance usually covers items price up to certain value.

Useful links:

http://online.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Online_Auction_Tips
http://www.lawnet.lk/docs/articles/international/HTML/BA94.html
http://www.police.gov.hk/police/pprb/peb/english/072604_e.html
http://wps.prenhall.com/wps/media/objects/260/267260/online_appendices/Turban-Appendix2A.pdf

Review a local e-commerce site- Vision Solution Computer

Vision Solution Computer (VSComp) is a local computer shop in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. It started its online business on 21 March, 2007. Url of this company is http://www.vscomp.net.VSComp are selling computer's hardware and software. Besides that, provides specialized computer solution such as computer repairing and upgrading.

Basically the is no any design in VSComp website and the background is white, Verdana font type and fronts are black in color. Categories of the page also allow consumers to quickly eyeball the areas they are interested in. The consumers can easily and directly look for the information they needed through the VScomp website.

In the website of VSComp, it provides detailed products information, and display the pictures of each products. The pictures are clear, and able to download it fast.

On the right hand site of Vscomp website, can be able to see the shopping cart, it is to assist consumers to make online purchasing.They can make the online payment via Visa, Master card, Amex, Discover, e-Check and Paypal.

Search engine is provided in the website, and it brings their store up when searching for the product they sell, it is convenience for consumers.

It is a good navigation in the website. The top of the page showed the important link for consumer, such as the logo can link to the home page, shopping cart and search engine.

Electronic Currency- Firstgate's Click & Buy

Electronic currency refers to money or scrip which is exchanged only electronically. Basically, it involves the use of computer networks, the internet and digital stored valued systems. For instance, direct deposit and Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).

Firstgate's ClickandBuy makes it easy to buy and sell online. Almost for 8 years, Firstgate's innovative Internet payment and billing system has been one of the established market leaders in Europe and now they are expanding worldwide.

Clickandbuy e-payment can be used with more than 7000 online merchants around the globe, this includes Skype, MSN, AOL, Electronic Arts (EA) and T-online.

How does ClickandBuy works:

For small business, Firstgate offer a pay-per-view and/or basic subscription functionality, registration. Small business enterprise will have direct access to the merchant account and then can begin marketing online within a short time.

For corporate accounts, ClickandBuy offers many different ways to present your content or service and bill your buyers. Consumers will have access to the full power of the ClickandBuy system, including the ability to offer multiple subscriptions, bundle subscriptions and pay-per-view, or offer special promotions.

Customers of ClickandBuy will be able to enjoy the following benefits:-

• Secure payment
• One-time free online registration
• Overview of purchases made in real time
• Immediate access to paid content with 7.000 merchants.
• Convenient payment through direct debit, credit card, invoice or prepaid account
• Transparency and cost control in your personal account management
• An up-to-date overview of open transactions, current subscriptions and invoices

Some useful links:

http://www.clickandbuy.com/US/en/
http://www.geercom.com/emicropayments.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_cash

Credit Card Debts: Causes & Prevention

Credit card services provide us a chance to spend excessively without any control. It also opens a pathway for the users to get into financial troubles that may take years to repay the debts.

Causes of consumer overspent:

Basically is the psychological reason where at the moment that consumer are tempted to spend money with a credit card, and there's nothing to remind that have a budget.

A poor money management, which led to excessive spending and loss of self control, will cause a serious financial debt when consumer can’t monitor the money their are spending by using a credit card.


Preventions on overspending:

Many people do not know how and do not understand the meaning of “save and invest for a rainy day”. The simplest way to avoid unwanted debts is to prepare for unexpected expenditures by saving 3 to 6 months of living expenses.

To determine monthly income, needed expenses and aware of the interest rate offered. Consumers are being advised to use debit card which has a limited amount of money in it to prevent excessive spending.

Besides that, signing up for automatic payment feature on credit card to ensure payment is being made every month also reduces the risk of incurring late payment charges.

Last but not least, consumers should monitor the amount of charges imposed on the credit card in relation to credit limit, which will smooth out the repayment process. and helps to control consumers’ spending.

Useful links:

http://soundmoneytips.com/article/41938-use-virtual-credit-cards
http://www.mortgageguideuk.co.uk/blog/frugality/7-ways-to-avoid-overspending/
http://www.thedigeratilife.com/blog/index.php/2007/01/25/stop-overspending-now-14-ways-to-conquer-binge-buying/
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/FindDealsOnline/5ReasonsYouOverspendOnline.aspx

The application of pre-paid cash card for consumers

Visa Buxx Card is a prepaid cash card and is it not an ordinary debit card. This card is purposely designed to provide teens with responsibility and independence but in the mean time, keeping the parents informed and in control on teens’ spending.

The consumers especially the parents are able to load money into this card via online or phone and monitor their children’s spending. The amount of purchase will be automatically being deducted from the amount of money available in the card and only the teen whose name appears on the card can use the card.

MuchMusic has also launches a prepaid cash card for teen recently which is similar to Visa Buxx Card. MuchMusic card can be used can be used any place where Mastercardis accepted. The new cardholders of this card also get 10 free downloads from MuchMusic.com and a 15% discount from MuchStore on Queen St. West.

In Malaysia, Touch n Go card, a cash prepaid card is being widely used in paying tolls, major public transportation services such as Putra Lrt, selected parking sites and also theme parks. The cardholder can reload the card at petrol kiosk, toll plaza and even at Auto Teller Machine (ATM).

Useful links:

http://www.touchngo.com.my/WhatTNG.html

http://usa.visa.com/personal/cards/prepaid/visa_buxx.html

http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_8684.aspx

Mobile payment systems in Malaysia: Its potentials and consumers’ adoption strategies

Mobile payments are payment for goods and services with a mobile device in which money or funds are transferred from payer to receiver via intermediary or directly. Mobile devices include mobile phones, PDAs, etc.

Mobile Money (MM wallet) complies with Bank Negara Malaysia’s requirement is availabble to use in Malaysia. Users are allowed to pay or receive money, at anytime form anywhere with just one SMS. MM wallet provides a very secure convenient platform for merchants and consumers.

Besides that, MoneyMe is another mobile phone system that also provided in Malaysia. It provides a reliable, accessible and easy way for users to send or receive remittance to overseas, and it is sent by one user to another user regardless of the subscribed telecommunication service providers.

In Malaysia, they are 4 to 5 million mobile phones were sold last year, and up to 88% of Malaysian population subscribing to mobile phone services. There are only 460,000 Malaysians subscribed for this services in to date, and it is just 1.8% of the 25 million mobile phone subscribers in the country. However, we believed that the % of Malaysian subscribers for the mobile payment services will increase in this few years.

The strategies to encourage consumers to adopt mobile payment system are:

• provide more payment possibilities, timely access to financial assets and an alternative to cash payments. For example, users can pay the car parking without need to visit the parking metre.
• If the transaction cost of mobile payment included in the price of the purchased items become lower then it will attract more consumers.
• Organize more seminar and campaign about the advantages, benefit and awareness of mobile payment.

Some Useful links:-

http://www.neowave.com.my/mobilemoney_overview.asp

http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1P3-44210847.html

http://amazingcommerce.wordpress.com/2008/06/26/mobile-payment-systems-in-malaysia-its-potentials-and-consumers%E2%80%99-adoption-strategies/

http://www.justmakemoneyonline.com/2008/04/18/obopay-mobile-payment-system/


Links relating to MobileWallet & MoneyMe:-

http://www.mobileworld.com.my/v1/content/view/219/62/

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/09/04/payforit_launch/

http://www.psfk.com/2008/04/6212-nokias-mobile-wallet.html

Phishing- Examples & Prevention methods

Phishing can be define as a criminal fraudulent process of attempting to acquire information such as unauthorized access to emails, banking accounts, credit cards details in an electronic comunication, i.e. internet.

Some examples of Phishing scams:-

Britain's top cybercrime fighters work hand-in-hand with the banking industry to stop a dangerous phishing attack on 16.8.2004. This phishing attack is a type of spoof frauds which can be intertwined with phishing scams, spam mails and Spyware.

Besides that, Trojan/Spyware are now modifying the HOSTS file in the computer to redirect to the fake webpages, thus, making the users to become a victim to phishing attack. For instance, The JS/QHosts21-A which happened in Brazil.

There are some solutions/prevention methods for Phishing, such as know how to detect phishing scams, spread the word, stay informed and take action.

• Know how to detect Phishing scams- "verify your account number", "If you don't respond within 48 hours, your account will be closed" or "Click the link below to gain access to your account", emails contain such information is probably a phishing scam.

• Spread the word- inform friends and family because they might not alert about the new phishing scams. Help to spread the Phishing scams awareness.

• Stay informed- sign up for free newsletter and receive information regarding phishing news, technological development and updates on legislation.

• Take action- best way to reduce Phishing scams is to report any suspicious scams immediately to the proper authorities by supporting the Anti-phishing act 2005.

Picture illustrations on email scams:-
{source-http://webtoolsandtips.com/uncategorized/
detecting-phishing-scam-emails/}

Some useful links:--->
http://www.anti-phishing.info/phishing-news.html
http://www.anti-phishing.info/securybanks-phishing-trojan.html
http://www.anti-phishing.info/hosts-file.html
http://www.anti-phishing.info/avoid-phishing.html
http://webtoolsandtips.com/uncategorized/detecting-phishing-scam-emails/

New Spamming Tactics

Spam cases have been increasing year by year with a tremendous amount. Among all the online threats such as fraud, worms and Trojan horse, spam is the most common and highest rate of threat.

There are indeed numbers of anti spam software to deal with this spam threat, but the spammers have taken a step ahead by coming out with new spamming tactics such as PDF Spam and Piggyback Spam. The widely known form of spam is email spam. Email spam is a practice of sending unwanted emails frequently with commercial content in large quantities to the recipients. The total amount of email spam has reached 100 billions emails per day as at April 2008. Most of the email spams are being sent to invalid email address.

I was a victim of email spam and it happened just two weeks ago where I received an email on advertisement of IT products from a China company. Without my knowledge, this email is being sent to the recipients whom I do not know and even to all my friends. I received many postmaster fail notification everyday, around 80 emails of it. It was really frustrating and annoying but the worst part is sums of my important emails stored in my inbox suddenly disappear without any trace.

Besides that, a friend of mine who opened the email spam sent from my account found that all her contact list in her msn are gone the next few days. I manage to stop this spam by changing my password. I really hope that on day, an ultimate anti spam software will be developed to stop this spam once and for all.

Some useful links about spamming:-

http://www.ciac.org/ciac/bulletins/i-005c.shtml

http://spam.abuse.net/overview/whatisspam.shtml

http://www.cert.org/tech_tips/email_bombing_spamming.html

The threat of online security: How safe is our data?

According to Global Unisys Security, Malaysia is ranked in the third place for overall level of security concern among 14 countries, which includes Australia, Belgium, Brazil, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The threats of online security such as follow:-

• Web serves and services

Some of the HTTP web servers will expose visitors each time they log on to the website. The vulnerabilities of HTTP web servers may lead to denial-of-service attacks.

• Web browsers

Every version of Internet Explorer has critical threats. It will disclosure of “cookies” with users personal information, and exposure of locally- stored files.

• Instant messaging

Instant messaging is one of the programs often used by hackers to attack one’s system.

• Windows remote access services

These types of systems very dangerous, if the hacker gain control over a host with the right tools, and able to access your information as well.

• Microsoft SQL Server

Hackers gain the information from database or compromise the server, because they are several vulnerabilities.

However there are some common security tips you can brush up on your online safety:-

• Trust only yourself, or only do business with the company you know and trust.
• Only use your credit card number on internet sites that have a secure, encrypted system.
• Once you think something is wrong, leave it immediately, do not follow any of the instructions it present.

How to safeguard our personal and financial data?

Stealing of personal information or loosing information have become a major problem among computer savvy. Thus, it is significant for us to concern about the security of our personal and financial data.

Basically, there are many effective ways to safeguard our data. Mainly, by using password protected screen savers and changing password on a regular basis which recommended at least 90 days. Moreover, shall avoid using obvious password that someone easy to guess, like your birthday.


Besides that, floppy disks, CDs and computer hardware that contain personal and financial data, should be deleted or stored in a secure area until destroyed and disposed of. Thus, shall backup the data before discarding them.


By using firewalls, anti-spyware and anti-virus software also enable to safeguard the data from being stolen. It must regularly check to make sure that virus definitions and anti-spyware are up-to-date. Perform frequent scans on computer to help detect viruses. In addition, use encryption software to keep unauthorized people from reading your data.


Last but not the least, separate user accounts should be set up for every person using the same computer, so they will only have access to what is available to them under their own name and passwords.

History & Evolution of E-commerce

E-commerce began less than 40 years ago, its started in the early 1970's. Originally, it was using technology like electronic fund transfer (EFT) and Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). This is where the users are able to exchange the business information and make the electronic transactions, and it also allowed companies to send their sales documentation such as purchase orders, and invoices via electronic means.

E-Commerce is fast expanding in Asian, this is where more and more people are going for online shoppings. Especially, in Malaysia there is a high level of interest in e-commerce by the Malaysian government. Beginning in 1997, the Malaysian government constituted an Inter-Agency Task Force on E-commerce in order to develop a national strategic action plan and recommend policy initiatives on security, encryption technologies, and transaction tracking mechanisms for facilitating e-commerce.

eOneNet.com will be the first to produced "The Internet Success Coaching" VCD. eOneNet.com is the local e-business and internet marketing services provider in Malaysia. According to Fione Tan the President & CEO of the company said that the launching of the VCD have been ranked as the top Internet marketing VCD among top international search engines, out of some 39,300 competitve listings worldwide.

The future of e-commerce in Malaysia will be very bright but yet it will certainly depends on the trust and confidence level by the users.

Some Useful links:--->

• http://www.une.edu.au/asiacenter/KKaur.pdf
• http://www.eonenet.com/press/vcd_launch_20030826.htm
• http://globaltechforum.eiu.com/index.asp?layout=printer_friendly&doc_id=8706
  
• http://gigaom.com/2006/05/13/the-myth-reality-future

E-Commerce success & its causes

PayPal also consider one the most successful e-commerce website. Basically, PayPal is an e-commerce business that allows payments and money being transfer via the Internet. Moreover, it also serves an alternative to the traditional paper methods such as cheques and money orders.

Paypal performs payments or transactions processing for online vendors, auction sites, and other corporate users, for which it charges a fee. Well, it sometimes does charges a transaction fee for receiving money, i.e. a % of the amount sent plus an additional fixed amount.

Paypal succeeded as an e-commerce business is mainly because of its safety and security where its provide a strong control in identifying the online theft and phishing. Besides that, Paypal also provides a security key which enhance the layer of security. Thus, make the user accounts to be more resistant to intrusion and it's easy to use.

In addition, it's free to sign up for PayPal account to send money to friends and family. Users also can transfer their money from their bank account to PayPal account at no charge. PayPal transaction fees for Premier and Business accounts, is considerably low. For instance, if monthly sales is between $ 0.00U SD to $3,000.00 USD, then the price of per transaction is only $0.30USD plus 3.9%.

Paypal also enable the users to make payment without exposing credit card nor account numbers to the merchant. Thus, provide 100% protection for unauthorized payments. Moreover, provides 24/7 monitoring to prevent fraud.


For all these reasons, PayPal has succeeded as an e-commerce business.

https://www.paypal-media.com/aboutus.cfm
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_security-center-outside