Since the problem of data hacking happens when the data is left in the server, many well-established websites have learned the lesson the hard way. E-commerce sites have started to avoid storing encrypted data in their servers by instead storing an authorization number with the transaction to protect information (Heino 51).

In summary, there are a few precautions that can be taken to ensure that the website is secure:

	Stay with recommended and known merchandise-Web shopping sites. Well published websites such as Amazon.com, Cdnow, NetGrocer, Onsale.com and many others support SSL and do not leave their customers’ data to be accessed by outsiders through their server.
	Always read the security information provided by the website prior to deciding to purchase anything. A certified website usually contains the logo of a certifying authority such as VeriSign Inc. If the website doesn’t offer any explanation or the VeriSign logo, search for another website.

Always check whether the website supports SSL prior to submitting any filed form over the Net. Look for a closed padlock for both Netscape and Microsoft browsers.

	Secure	Unsecured
Microsoft Internet Explorer
Netscape Navigator 1.1 or greater
Netscape Communicator 4.0

Make sure that the website address starts with https:// instead of http://. This will ensure that the site supports SSL.

Both SSL and SET have their own advantages in shielding data transfer while SSL ensures the data is transmitted unharmed to the server, leaving the data unscrambled inside the serve, SET securely passes on data without ever revealing the true identity of the owner, while being too complicated and expensive to be used. Nevertheless, it is safe to say that transferring important data such as credit card numbers or any other data is safe as long as the website supports SSL. It would take years to try to crack the numbers of either system, making both impracticable to be hacked, and therefore beneficial to all e-business.