E-Commerce Notes
Subject Overview
This general elective covers e-commerce fundamentals and its growing business applicability — impact on business models, the regulatory environment (cryptography, privacy, domain disputes, digital signatures), EDI and internet-based risk management, cryptography/
Subject at a glance
4
Units
35
Topics
4
Credits
4
Infographics
Unit-wise Syllabus
4 units — open any unit for detailed topic-wise notes, diagrams and important exam questions
- Definition
- benefits and role of the internet in e-commerce
- impact on business models (goal congruence, value chain, ICDT model)
- e-commerce security
- regulatory environment — cryptography
- privacy
- web linking
- domain name disputes
- internet sales tax
- electronic agreements and digital signatures
B2C
Business to consumer: Amazon, Flipkart
B2B
Business to business: IndiaMART
C2C
Consumer to consumer: OLX
C2B
Consumer to business: freelancing
B2G
Business to government: GeM portal
Study guide
This unit covers the definition and benefits of e-commerce, the internet's role, effects on business models, security and the regulatory environment (cryptography, privacy, domain disputes, electronic agreements and digital signatures). Learn the main laws covering e-commerce in India.
- Traditional EDI systems
- value-added networks
- financial EDI
- EDI-internet integration
- impact on the accounting profession
- risks associated with internet/intranet transactions
- social engineering
- risks to confidential archival data
- control weakness vs control risk
- 1Buyer system creates a purchase order
- 2Translate into a standard EDI format
- 3Send via VAN or internet
- 4Supplier receives and translates
- 5Order processed automatically
Study guide
You study traditional EDI, VANs, financial EDI, EDI over the internet, impact on accounting, internet and intranet risks, social engineering, risks to confidential data and control weakness versus control risk. Identify the risks in one online transaction.
- Messaging security issues (confidentiality, non-repudiation, access controls)
- symmetric and asymmetric encryption
- public/private key pairs
- digital signatures
- additional authentication and non-repudiation methods
- firewall definition
- components
- functionality and design factors
Keys
One shared secret key
Public and private key pair
Speed
Fast
Slower
Key sharing
Difficult and risky
Public key can be shared openly
Example
AES
RSA, digital signatures
Study guide
You study messaging security, symmetric and asymmetric encryption, public and private keys, digital signatures, authentication and non-repudiation and firewalls. Understand how a digital signature proves who sent a message.
- SET protocol
- SET vs SSL
- magnetic strip and smart cards
- e-checks and e-cash
- intelligent agents and their role in e-commerce
- web-based marketing strategy
- the 4Ps applied to internet marketing
- online advertising and website design
Cards
Credit, debit, smart cards
E-cheques
Digital cheques
E-cash and wallets
Prepaid digital money
UPI and net banking
Secure protocols
SSL/TLS, SET
Study guide
You study the SET protocol versus SSL, cards, e-cheques and e-cash, intelligent agents, web marketing strategy, the 4Ps online, advertising and website design. Compare payment methods on security and convenience.
Why E-Commerce Matters
E-commerce is a large and growing part of business, and these skills open roles in online retail, fintech, digital marketing and e-commerce operations.
How to Prepare for E-Commerce
- Study the checkout and payment flow of a real e-commerce site.
- Learn cryptography and digital signatures with simple examples.
- Follow digital payment and cybersecurity developments in India.
E-Commerce: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a digital signature?
A digital signature is an electronic, encrypted stamp that verifies a document's origin and shows it has not been altered.