Electronic commerce, commonly known as e-commerce, refers to the buying and selling of goods and services over the internet. It involves a variety of online transactions, including online shopping, electronic payments, online auctions, and digital content distribution. E-commerce has revolutionized the way businesses and consumers interact by providing a convenient and efficient platform for conducting commercial activities without the need for physical presence.
E-commerce encompasses different models, such as Business-to-Consumer (B2C), where businesses sell products directly to consumers, and Business-to-Business (B2B), where businesses transact with other businesses. It also includes Consumer-to-Consumer (C2C) platforms that enable individuals to sell products or services to other individuals through online marketplaces.
E-commerce platforms offer various features and functionalities, including online catalogs, secure payment gateways, shopping carts, and customer reviews. It has significantly expanded global reach, allowing businesses to connect with customers worldwide and opening up new market opportunities.
Security, privacy, and efficient logistics are crucial aspects of e-commerce, as they impact customer trust and satisfaction. As technology continues to evolve, e-commerce continues to shape the way people shop, businesses operate, and the economy functions as a whole.
Key terms in plain language
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Fiber Internet
Internet delivered through strands of glass using light. Fiber commonly supports high capacity, low latency, and strong upload performance, but availability must be confirmed for the exact address.
Cybersecurity
The practices and controls used to protect identities, devices, networks, applications, and data from unauthorized access, disruption, or manipulation.
Zero Trust
A security model that does not automatically trust a user or device because of its location. Access is continuously verified and limited to what is necessary.
SASE
Secure Access Service Edge combines networking and security capabilities in a cloud-delivered architecture so users and locations can receive consistent policy wherever they connect.
Identity and Access Management (IAM)
The systems and policies that determine who a user is, what resources they may access, and how that access is authenticated and reviewed.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
A login control requiring more than one form of verification, such as a password plus an authenticator app, security key, or biometric factor.