Retailers’ aversion to fraud seems to be heightening, with over 57% of online merchants seeing fraud as the greatest threat to their business.  This number skyrocketed from 2007, when only  6% of merchants saw fraud as a threat.

The good news is that just 1.6% of online orders tend to be fraudulent, an improvement over previous years’ statistics. This may be because retailers are becoming more wary and are taking steps to protect themselves.

A great way for merchants to protect themselves is to make sure they are PCI (Payment Card Industry) Compliant. These are standards set by the government to make sure merchants protect themselves from security threats. For a guide to learn more about PCI Compliance, click here.

Some people see fraud as a threat to the internet’s existence in itself. Several internet crimefighters have found ties between mafias and security breaches, especially in places like Russia and Italy. The internet seems to be the new frontier for organized crime to steal and distribute booty. NPR has a great interview with several cybercrime fighters who work behind the scenes to make sure the internet stays safe.

Image thanks to http://www.flickr.com/photos/59463761@N00/616649762/