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Fear of the Internet

by William Bontrager    

Somebody told Mari, face to face, "I won't get on the Internet because they might suck everything out of my computer."

It's a smiler. But he's got a point.

Those running Windows, IE, and Outlook are at risk of viruses, Trojan horses, worms, time bombs, and other programs that may interfere with or damage their computers and the computers of those they come into contact with, and may intercept or expropriate system data or personal information.

Scary stuff.

Defenses are available. URLs to anti-virus software sites, and to non-IE and non-Outlook browsers and email programs, are listed at http://willmaster.com/a/22t/pl.pl?art227links

Other operating systems, browsers, and email programs have risks, too. But it seems those listed above are especially vulnerable.

This article isn't about such things, though. It's about people, the people who are scared silly because of it all.

It's about really scared people visiting your web site.

What will they see? Will they stay or flee?

If your web site is primarily for, or can benefit, those new to the Internet and who may be scared about the whole thing, it may be prudent to give the idea some serious consideration.

It's hard to pretend to be scared when you're not, especially when surfing your own web site. But try.

What might make you bolt?

Do you use cookies?

Fearful ones may have their browsers set to always display cookies and to be on high mental alert should a web site use them. Many web sites use cookies, so many in fact that avoiding those that do would severely curtail the surfing experience. But that doesn't mean people are less scared of them.

You and I, we know cookies are simple plain text files, the kind that can't run like a program. We know that cookies can not divulge any information the web site didn't give to the browser in the first place. And we know cookies can be retrieved only by the domain that set them in the first place.

But those newly on-line don't necessarily know that. They may have bought into the "cookies are intrusive" line. They may believe cookies open up their entire financial and personal history for the world's population to comment upon and the unscrupulous to take advantage of.

If you use cookies, you may wish to have a prominent link to a page about their benign nature. (Okay, "benign nature" is going a bit far, but I'm trying too offset a "cookies will eat my report card" syndrome.)

Cookies can be misused. Most Internet technology can. But cookies are just plain text files that can't put viruses on, nor retrieve additional information from, your user's computer.

Do you automatically open windows?

That could be scary. Anything that happens without their control and without sufficient warning could cause the fearful to flee.

Do you automatically initiate downloads?

Don't. It's not nice. It's one way crackers put spyware and worms on computers.

Let people ask for the download. If you don't, even Internet veterans will avoid your site.

Do you have a prominent "Contact" link and info?

Yes, that's good.

Be real people, available to talk to. In fact, you might use a link that says: "We're real people. You can talk to us."

As an added confidence builder, you might put a "this form is powered by _____" link to the form handling software description page or to the software publisher's web site in a prominent spot by your contact form. If the publisher offers an affiliate program that can link directly to the software, you might avail yourself of that. However, the idea is more to build confidence than to make money — the new on the Internet are unlikely to be in the market for form processing software anytime soon, especially those already fearful of potential consequences.

(If you're using Master Series software, "Affiliate Info" in the left navigation area of product pages contains affiliate linking information.)

To make yourself more real and seemingly more available, you might put your email address on an image and put the image near your form. (On an image so spammer's harvesting robots can't read it.)

Inquirers can then type the address into their email programs to send you email.

If you want the image with email address to be clickable and to automatically open the inquirer's email program (a note next to the link saying this will happen may be prudent), consider using the Master Spambot Buster program http://willmaster.com/a/22t/pl.pl?msb for non-harvestable links.

Readily available telephone number and business location information can also serve to boost visitor confidence and allay fears.

Do you need to have special consideration for the fearful?

Maybe you don't. It depends on your web site and it's purpose.

If your web site benefits from those newly on-line and you prefer to keep the fearful around long enough to gain their confidence, then yes, you'll need to take them into consideration.

On the other hand, if your web site caters mainly to those with experience on the Internet, then it may not be necessary.

Where is he now, the fellow who said he won't get on the Internet because they might suck everything out of is computer?

We don't know. But I expect he will sooner or later, fears notwithstanding, venture upon the Internet.

Will you be ready?

Will Bontrager

Copyright © 2003 Bontrager Connection, LLC

About the Author:

William Bontrager Programmer/Publisher, "WillMaster Possibilities" ezine mailto:possibilities@willmaster.com

Are you looking for top quality scripts? Visit Willmaster and check out his highly acclaimed Master Series scripts. Some free, some for a fee.


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