The advancement in technology & digital revolution has changed our lives to great extent. Everything going online and available just a click away. The ecommerce sites booming up and shopping online has become increasingly popular. Be it ecommerce, online bookings, banking transaction, or any other service, volumes of online transactions have shot up over the years. This has benefitted the common man in many ways as it saves time and is convenient. But security has always been a concern while doing so. Banks have introduced several security features like two way authentication, chip based cards etc. But one has to be safe while making online card transactions.
People who are doing transactions for the first time usually may not be aware of security measures and those who are already aware about the security measures may fall prey.
Listed below are security precautions one must take care of while making online transactions.
- Use secured connection(Look for https://) : When you visit a site where you make online transactions always check whether you are on a secured connection .Check for https://., it is the secured version of http://. S stands for secure.
In case its http:// we suggest not to make payment as sites security is at risk. The site with https:// is secured with 128 bit encryption or 256- bit Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) or Transport Layer Security (TLS).Also check the padlock icon on your internet browser, should be locked indicates that you are in secure mode. Its now safe to enter your card details.
2. Beware of Phishing Sites : Phishing sites are quite similar to original sites. Fake links land you up on phishing sites. Mistyping a URL (web address) could also land on a phishing site.
While making payment check the URL before you do so. This type of phishing sites obtain your sensitive information like credit card details, passwords etc. If you feel the link is suspicious, copy and paste it into another tab one of the ways to check for phishing sites.
3. Use your own Personal Computers avoid using others computers or smartphones : All the information you enter, the sites you surf (the url), information like username, passwords, are stored in browser’s cookies. For such reasons avoid using public machines or others computers. Always logout from the sites where u enter your login details and other confidential information. Do not just close the sites.
4. Do not open or click on phishing emails seeking confidential information: We receive large number of mails every day. Our mail box is full of messages. It is better to avoid opening marketing mails or promotional mails from banks, third party websites or from unknown. Do not click on any links mentioned in the mail. Also do not share any information asked on the mail by getting attracted by offers, lottery prizes, prize winnings etc. they may be spam.
Hackers also create phishing email ids similar to yours. If your emails are compromised which mentions about payment transactions in bank account number which may sound similar to customers account asking you to transfer the payment in the account. Kindly confirm before making any such transaction. I have seen a lot of innocent people being trapped by such phishing websites and emails.
5. Do not use public Wi-Fi while making online transactions : Always stay secured keep your Wi-Fi password protected. Do not use public or others Wi-Fi while making online transaction it is unsafe to do so.
6. Install latest security software: Have a latest security software installed on your machine. Make it a point to scan your machine once in a week and keep updating your antivirus from time to time. When you visit a site or download something from net without your knowledge few harmful software’s may get downloaded on your machine. Keep your firewall always turned on. Apart from antivirus updations it is also recommended to keep your operating system and browsers updated so as to keep the security features updated.
7. Use difficult and different passwords: We usually use same password for different sites so that it becomes easy to recollect. But if hackers get to know your password it becomes easy for them to enter into any of your banking sites, ecommerce site, email accounts and other important accounts. Also use difficult passwords combination of alphabets, characters and special characters. Avoid using your and your dear ones full names, birthdays as passwords as we share all these information on social sites and it becomes easy for hackers to guess your password.
8. Use Virtual keyboard rather than your physical keyboard: If your machine is malware infected there are chances of your keyboard being compromised? In such cases malware programs like ‘spy ware’ which detect the keys as you type on the keyboard and can hack your password.
Whereas virtual keyboards are designed for security purpose which are safe and secured while making online transaction.
9. Use OTP during transactions: While you make the payment using credit or debit card, the banks ask for Secure PIN(personal identification number) or request for an OTP (One- time password). Always choose OTP over PIN it is a safer option as every time a new six-digit number is generated by the bank and send on your registered mobile number.
10. Buy From Reputed Merchants: Always shop from reputed sites and e-commerce platform. Big companies would not compromise on sites security and payment gateways. Small vendors may not spend much on security this may lead to your critical information being compromised like credit/ debit card details, bank details, username, passwords etc. while feeding on the site.
11. Never share confidential details to anyone on Telephone or email: Fake calls from banks and other financial service company by scamsters may prove themselves to be genuine asking for your details. Never share details like CVV, expiry dates, username name, passwords over telephone or email. No company or bank asks for such details. The information they can ask for is like card number, start date, DOB, for verification purpose.
