According to the survey released by Statistics Canada, 51 percent of internet users have ordered goods or services for personal or household use in 2010. Credit cards have been used by 89 percent while 31 percent have used an online payment service.
Nearly three-quarters (74 percent) of internet users have window shopped online, or browsed for information on goods or services, without necessarily placing an order.
The survey has also pointed out that, of those who placed an order, 55 percent have bought travel arrangements (hotel reservations, travel tickets and rental cars) and 48 percent have purchased tickets for entertainment events.83 percent of online consumers have placed orders from Canada, while 60 percent have ordered from vendors in the US. 18 percent have ordered from vendors in other countries.
Of those who did not place an order, nearly one-third (32 percent) stated that the main reason was that they had no interest, while 26 percent preferred to shop in person. Nearly19 percent have mentioned security concerns.
As far as online shopping security is concerned, nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of users have reported they have experienced a computer virus at some point in the past. Of those who have experienced a virus, almost one-half (49 percent) have answered that the virus (or viruses) resulted in the loss of information or damage to software.
The study has also indicated that about 7 percent of internet users have experienced misuse of personal information online (misuse of pictures, videos or personal information uploaded on public websites). Over one-third (37 percent) have received e-mails requesting personal information (such as bank account numbers or passwords) from a fraudulent source.
To protect their computer or the other devices they use to access the internet, most internet users (85 percent) have indicated that they use security software. The study has been carried out on approximately 22,600 individuals aged 16 years and older.
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