MerchantOS Ensures the Safety of Clients' Data by Offering Web-Based POS

San Jose, CA, January 28, 2009 --(PR.com)-- With so many reports of identity theft these days, retailers have to be more aware than ever before about their customers' privacy. Unfortunately, with so many of these identity thieves well-versed in computer hacking, having customer data stored on an in-house POS system can be much riskier than you realise.

There are a number of issues that retailers must face if they are using a traditional POS. Hackers, data loss, hardware failure and even viruses pose a serious threat to the way a business runs. Without some sort of reliable data backup system, all of a merchant's customer data can be wiped out in less time than it takes to swipe a credit card; and yet, at the same time, even having everything stored on an external source doesn't necessarily protect your system from hackers and viruses.

MerchantOS has sought to resolve this issue for their clients by created a web-based POS system which stores all of a retailer's customer data in a secure, hacker and virus proof database. Using a web-based POS is roughly the same concept as using a web-based email client, such as Gmail or Hotmail - unlike computer-based email clients, a person using a web-based system doesn't have to worry about files being lost in the event of hardware failure, or about needing enough storage space to contain all the files they want to save.

Justin Laing of MerchantOS recommends retailers using any POS systems to take a number of security precautions. To begin with, he recommends that retailers ensure they have a reliable firewall installed within their operating system (OS). This will help to prevent hackers and viruses from going undetected. It is also important that retailers turn on their wireless security to prevent others from accessing their system. And using a good anti-virus program regularly on business computers will help to stop viruses that might damage or destroy customer data.

Another security precaution retailers using any POS system can take is to limit their employees' access into their systems. This is easily achieved by simply prohibiting your employees from surfing the internet or installing software from all business computers. It is also vital that each time an employee is terminated or leaves the company, retailers should ensure all access codes and passwords related to that employee have been removed and/or disabled.

Ultimately, it is recommended that retailers do not store any client data - especially credit card numbers - on an in-house system. Fortunately, with a web-based POS system like the one offered at MerchantOS, retailers won't need to concern themselves with the security of their customers' data, and will be able to focus instead on keeping their customers happy. To learn more about the MerchantOS web-based POS system, visit them on the web at www.merchantos.com.

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