Federal Websites Performed Worst on OTA Honor Roll

According to Online Trust Alliance (OTA), an Internet advocacy group, merely 8% of all consumer websites are following standards to reduce online fraud.

These findings of OTA are based on study undertaken by the group during late March-early April 2010. The survey analyzed 1200 websites and found 500 Million e-mails claiming to be from those websites.

Just 113 websites of the examined 1200 were found eligible to be listed in the OTA Online Safety 2010 Honor Roll. Websites named in the honor roll indicate that they do not contain malware or malcode leading users to malicious websites.

According to the study, remaining 92% of the websites failed to implement best practices. The 500 leading retail sites enjoyed the highest share of 14% on the OTA honor roll. As far as the websites of federal government are concerned, they were the worst as only 3% of them made up to the honor roll. Furthermore, the test was also cleared by 13% of the top 100 financial institutions, while 6% of Fortune 500 companies cleared the test.

The study also stated that the leading businesses and retailers continue demonstrating the highest adoption of e-mail authentication, with 54% of IR 500 and 76% of the Internet Retail 100.

Moreover, the adoption of e-mail authentication by the government agencies remained unaffected at 32%. In the last four months, more than 60% of governments' e-mails and/or websites have been spoofed.

Craig, Executive Director and President of the OTA, commenting on the findings of the survey, said that though banks, major corporations, industry working groups and governmental agencies keep discussing about best practices, most of them are failing to implement them, risking demands for additional regulations, as per the news published
by eMedia World on April 21, 2010.

The group has recognized various "North Stars," companies showing their obligation to best practices, consumer education and industry collaboration. The top companies in the list include Apple Computer, Microsoft, Social Security Administration Cisco Systems, Internal Revenue Service, eBay, Microsoft, Charles Schwab, Bank of America,
and PayPal.

Spiezle added that these companies deserve appreciation for their leadership in privacy and security as well as dedication to self-regulations, encouraging others to follow path. Not just their users/customers benefit from this, but also their stockholders and work force.

Related article: Federal Secret Service Investigates Security Breach on Municipal Court Site

» SPAMfighter News - 5/4/2010