York businessman Glen Bodilly's unhappy experience in cyberspace will worry every Internet user.

E-commerce is expected to explode in the next few years - but this revolution could be stalled if the public fears it is not secure.

Mr Bodilly has vowed not to buy on-line again after £500 was taken from his bank account without his knowing.

Few would blame him.

But we must keep this incident in context. Except for a face-to-face cash payment, every transaction we undertake carries with it a small risk of fraud.

Each time we use a credit card, or put our card into the hole-in-the-wall, we take a chance. We do so because we know the risk of anything going wrong is small.

People are less willing to buy over the Internet because it is new and unregulated. But by using common sense we can minimise the hazards.

Only buy from reputable businesses on a secure site.

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