6 Ways to Ensure A Safe Online Transaction

As mentioned below, there are a few things you must remember to do and keep in mind while making online payments.

1. Choose the OTP option

If you are making a payment online over a virtual payment gateway, choose the OTP option. It is recommended to use OTP (one-time-password) instead of passwords or 3D pins when using virtual payment gateways to make any kind of online payment. OTP stands for “one-time password” because after payment processing has begun, one-time passwords (OTPs) are only valid for a limited time. It is vital to remember that the OTP must never, under any circumstances, be disclosed to a third party.

1. Recognizing Safe Websites

To avoid being fooled or defrauded during an online transaction, it is also advisable to avoid making purchases via programs or websites that are not well-known or reputable. Instead of clicking on potentially fraudulent or dubious Google search results, you should always enter website URLs that begin with “HTTPS.”

It is prudent not to link one’s credit cards or bank accounts to any e-commerce apps or platforms since this is an additional useful tactic. When the address bar shows an image of a closed door and the word HTTPS:// is shown in green font, it is fair to assume that the connection is secure. This is known as an SSL certificate, and almost all users are aware of its presence.

1. Not Storing Payment Information on Websites

Do not save payment information, either your own or that of your clients, on your website. If you do, criminals and fraudsters may access this sensitive information. If a dishonest third party were to get access to and then steal the personal information of your consumers, your company’s image would undoubtedly suffer.

1. Avoid free WİFİ and Hotspot

When completing online transactions or inputting sensitive information such as passwords and one-time passwords, a public Wi-Fi connection, such as those found in airports or cafes, or a hotspot managed by a total stranger is not the most secure option. Airports and coffee shops are examples of public Wi-Fi hotspot. If you wish to make an online purchase while away from home, avoid using public Wi-Fi networks and, if possible, try a free VPN download^[1] or opt for better VPNs for permanent use.

1. Use a Virtual Private Network like iTOP VPN

A VPN for Windows^[2] or mobile devices is an outstanding technology that allows users to browse the internet privately and securely. This function protects your confidential information before it leaves your smartphone and connects to the internet. This assures that no one, even your Internet Service Provider, can monitor the data you transmit and receive over the internet.

Your data is then sent to a VPN server, which alters both your IP address and your device’s apparent location (if desired). This added information is sent to your Internet destination, which in this case is your bank’s website, where it is also received. As a result, the receiver of your data cannot identify the source from which the information was collected. If so, then is it safe to use a VPN for online transactions even for a free VPN^[3]? Yes, absolutely.

1. Having a secure PIN

It is essential to use strong passwords for banking apps, login credentials for online shopping, and credit and debit card PINs in the modern-day. A safe password is difficult to guess, comprises a mix of characters and numbers, and cannot be tied to any publicly available information about the user. As an example, using a person’s date of birth as their identification number is not a smart idea. Because the user’s date of birth and the names of the user’s parents are both viable candidates for inclusion as security questions during multi-step authentication procedures.

References

1. ^{^} free VPN download (www.itopvpn.com)
2. ^{^} VPN for Windows (www.itopvpn.com)
3. ^{^} free VPN (www.itopvpn.com)