We often think that our personal computers or laptops are not targets of hackers.  “There is little data of value to a thief,” we might rationalize.  “They are going to be better served going after a big target – like a bank or other financial institution.”  This assumes that the only reason a computer would be hacked is for the value contained on that computer.  On the contrary, sometimes hackers or data thieves seek out computers that they can use as a launching pad for other attacks.  Of course, as long as the criminal has accessed your computer, they are likely to make use of whatever personal data may reside there, as well.  That means that creating a complex password for all of your computers – not just those that are used for business – is important.

SplashData, a company that provides mobile productivity applications, recently released a study of some of the worst passwords to use.   These passwords are the ones that are most frequently cracked.  Not surprisingly, the most frequently compromised password, is “password.”    The top 5 on the list from SplashData  is:

1. password

2. 123456

3. 12345678

4. qwerty

5. abc123

The complete list can be found here.

On this blog, we frequently discuss the importance of complex passwords – including alphanumeric characters, upper case and lower case, punctuation, and other symbols.   We also suggest that the password be changed at least every 90 days.  This will help to prevent hackers from making an easy target of your computer.

Dr. Heather Mark, PhD; SVP Market Strategy

The season is upon us.  Analysts and media have made their predictions for what the holiday shopping season will bring.  Not surprisingly, most surveys reveal that consumers plan to be “careful” with their spending this holiday season.  They are looking for the best value, with many respondents indicating that they’d like to be able to buy more, but spend less.  A neat trick if you can manage it.  Given the nature of consumer spending in general, and particularly over the holidays, how can merchants manage these trends to their benefit?

A variety of consumer spending surveys released over the last few months, reveal a few tips for merchants to help their consumers realize value during this harried holiday season.  Among their advice for businesses was:

1) Free Shipping - This is a theme that is played out in a variety of sources and has been extremely prevalent over the last three years or so.  Consumers are searching for value and becoming more savvy about the “cost” of purchasing.  If a buyer can get an item for $5 less online than in the store, they are more likely to do so.  However, that savings  can be erased by adding a shipping charge.  Buyers would then be incented to go to their local store and purchase the at the higher price.

2) Highlighting Value – Help shoppers find the product and the price that they are looking for.  Online retailers can accomplish this by featuring sale items and specials on their home pages.   The GfK survey finds that online shoppers are using more and more resources to find the best deals available.  Leverage the platforms that these customers are usings – social media, blogs, review sites, etc.

3) Gift Idea Lists - According to the NRF’s Holiday Spending Research, the largest proportion of spend will be on family.  That is probably not a surprise to most businesses.  However, retailers and online merchants might consider capitalizing on that by helping shoppers find gifts for family. Organizing items by “Gifts for Dad,” or “Gifts for Girls,” or similar categories, can help shoppers locate what they’re looking for faster.

4) Online Shopping Experience – Consumer Reports tells us that online shopping increased significantly last year, with almost 34% of respondents purchasing gifts online.  To leverage this trend, online merchants may want to “user test” their websites.  Ensuring that the site is easy to use and appealing can help increase conversion.

Certainly, this is not a comprehensive list of the trends that are facing merchants this holiday season, but it does give a sense of the constraints facing shoppers, and therefore the merchant as well.  Understanding and responding to consumer needs is an excellent way to build trust and loyalty any time of year.

Dr. Heather Mark, PhD; SVP Market Strategy

“Thank you so much for all your assistance on the phone yesterday, getting my account straightened out - you were wonderful!   Very knowledgeable, helpful, and….patient!   Please let your supervisor know how pleased I was with your customer service skills, it’s getting to be a lost art in today’s business world.” ProPay Customer–Meg Racheli

ProPay is committed to leading the merchant industry in convenient and secure mobile payment solutions and offering quality customer service to answer and meet any questions or concerns anyone might have about those merchant services.  Open Monday-Friday, ProPay’s Customer Service Team is available to personally assist you.  Through Email, Facebook, Twitter and Phone, any representative is available to help you meet your merchant needs.  Each team member specializes in navigating through ProPay’s affordable services.  Whether you need help processing a card, transferring funds, using your ProPay JAK, or resolving a situation with a customer, ProPay’s Customer Service Representatives are ready to answer your concerns.  That service and willingness to connect with the customer while finding the right answer, is what makes ProPay “the leading provider of simple, secure and affordable payment solutions”.

It’s that time of year again.  International Fraud Awareness Week, sponsored by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE).  The intent is to raise awareness of fraud in general, as well as trends and emerging schemes.  Payment card fraud alone is estimated to cost the United States $8.6 billion per year.  And that is a 2010 number.  Estimates for 2011 are likely to grow.  Fraud is an interesting animal.  It’s said that the only crime that costs the US economy more money is tax evasion.  While that’s probably open for debate, what is still surprising is the low level of awareness that many small business owners have regarding fraud and fraudulent schemes.  The objective of International Fraud Awareness Week is to educate all organziations, whether small entrepreneurial endeavors to large enterprises, about fraud and how it can be prevented.

Some fraud prevention resources can be found here, including somethings that many organizations may not have considered, such as a fraud policy.  The ACFE publishes an annual Report to the Nations on fraud.  In 2010, some of the highlights (or lowlights depending on your perspective) included the following:

• “Survey participants estimated that the typical organization loses 5% of its annual revenue to fraud.”  To put that into a global perspective, the ACFE estimates that to cost the world economy almost $2.9 trillion annually.