Yes!! Online payments are non w safe and secure.
If we can do online transactions with precautionary safety measures, believe me, they are definitely secured.
Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi Launched Digital India movement and urged for maximum online transactions, but still there is a big section which hesitate in going for it. The reason behind may be a terror of cyber frauds. The solution to it can’t be avoiding online transactions, but to do it with utmost safety measures.
Let’s discuss some of such safety measures
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. Also check the padlock icon on your internet browser, should be locked indicates that you are in secure mode. It’s now safe to enter your card details.
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.
Use your own Personal 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. If in any case you use computer or smartphone of someone else, be sure to logout from the sites where u enter your login details and other confidential information. Do not just close the sites.
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.
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 updated, it is also recommended to keep your operating system and browsers updated so as to keep the security features updated.
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, numeric and special characters. Avoid using your and your dear ones names, birthdays as passwords as we share all these information on social sites and it becomes easy for hackers to guess your password.
Use of 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.
Buy from Reputed Merchants: Always shop from reputed sites and e-commerce platform. Big companies would not compromise on sites security and payment gateways. If you choose to go with small vendors, unknown or new websites, better check security measures taken by these sites. Be ensured that these are not phishing sites
Never share confidential details to anyone on Telephone or email: Fake calls from scamsters, who may prove themselves to be genuine calling from banks and other financial service company, try to trap you by 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.
Check Your Card Statement Frequently: Keep checking your card statements on regular basis so that you can know if there appears any disagreeable transactions. If you find any of such unknown and unacceptable debit, reach out to your bank branch immediately.
Hope you found this information useful. Share this information with your family members who need it most and encourage them for online transactions.