We are all buying goods online more often nowadays; whether they are gifts, treats or solid values for the house. We shop online now more than we go to the stores, which is excellent so long as you take individual cares to keep your data secure.
Shopping and banking online occur frequently in the Internet market. Sadly, online scam and theft occur just as often, thanks to smart robbers and poor customer Internet shopping practices. Online transactions always carry some risk, but users can do many things to improve their security on the web.
Below is a list of the most useful and helpful ways to stay secure while making that next online transaction.
1. Online Banking
Several banks like online banking; it’s economical for them to give online service than over-the-counter assistance, and the benefit of being able to monitor your balances, transfer funds and pay money online make it a real champion for users as well. The Commonwealth Bank, for instance, is announced to have at least 2.6 million active online banking customers, with a take-up charge of 60,000 more each month.
To obtain your online banking, you need your account number and a password. It’s a very poor idea surely to write your password down someplace that somebody might get it. That doesn’t have to be the finish your banking safety, however. Some banks increase their security with added actions, which vary from floating on-screen keyboards to the sense to have a secondary code automatically created, either via a security dongle the bank stores or even by having the code sent via SMS to your mobile phone.
2. Picking a Secure Password
There’s a balance between choosing multiple characters, multiple case password with several numbers in it that’s as reliable as possible and benefit. Too long, and you’ll never learn it and secure your own money apart from you. Too short and it’s too simple for hackers to break. Never choose a dictionary term or a phrase formed up of your details (like mother name or street or mobile number), as it’s little to run a check toward those from any PC.
This doesn’t mean you can’t use some private information to create a significant password that’s still enough tough to break. Just don’t use it in a quickly identifiable form. Instead of using your surname use a single letter from it, along with a significant quantity of other private information, as an acronym. One thing to note here is the fact that password strength is key.
- Must Read: How To Generate Secure Passwords
3. Two-factor authentication
Just remembering a password for a service (along with maybe a name or account number) is what’s introduced to as single-factor authentication because you know something practiced to guard that bit of information. A more reliable way is two-factor authentication either knowing two bits of information, which is lower security (but robust than single factor), or having access to another security measure, whether it’s a SMSed password, token generator or biometric authentication device.
That process, a payment gateway verifies something you have and something you know, reducing the chance if only one of those bits of data gets into the hands of fiscal hackers.
4. Avoid using public computers or Wi-Fi when banking online
Anytime you are utilizing public Wi-Fi, you have to understand that someone can reach your browser account and your password. So if you are doing anything that needs you to log in, such as banking or reading email, you are placing yourself in danger. This means even if you have your email or other password-protected websites set up to automatically enter your password for you and log in.
5. Apply authorized anti-virus software
Even Mac users require buying good licensed anti-virus software. Be sure to review for updates regularly. Either set your machine to check for updates automatically and inform you or intend to check yourself every Saturday or Sunday morning. But don’t fix your computer to download the update automatically. Downloading manually gives the best security from malware and viruses.
6. Visit a Secure Website
Having entree to your bank accounts is helpful, but how do you keep the other side of the equating spending the money as maintained as possible?
The norm for online security is HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure), an encrypted account of the standard hypertext protocol that performs standard web pages. There are two dead giveaways that a website is using HTTPS. Firstly, the URL displayed in your web browser’s address bar should include HTTPS as its first prefix. Furthermore, your browser should present a lock symbol in the lower left-hand edge. Clicking on the lock symbol bring up the site’s confirmation features; make sure this pair the site you’re visiting, and your data (including credit cards, addresses and so on) should be secure between you and the vendor.
If you execute a lot of online shopping, it may be good checking with your financial system to see if you can get a secondary credit card with a low limit or a debit card that carries only on your accessible funds. That way, even if the serious does happen, you won’t end up owing large amounts on a settled card.
Another non-credit card option is to use BPAY for your online purchases, although this is typically more restricted as you’ve got to have both vendor and bank assistance for it.
- Must Read: Tips To Staying Safe on the Internet
7. Make use of Virtual Credit Card (VCC)
VCC is a Virtual Credit Card. This card continually comes conveniently while shopping online without sharing your actual credit/debit card information to your retailer site. VCC is a one-time available credit card with a low balance as per your demand. For instance, If you want to shop online something of $100, then you can generate a VCC of that funds and use it to pay online. Make sure that this feature is possible with your Net Banking options. Never buy a VCC from any online seller.
8. PayPal – is it your best option?
Credit cards provide extra protection for users than debit cards when false transactions occur. Consumers should read the fine print on their debit and credit card transactions to find out the protections and conditions for their cards.
Outside credit card options, PayPal is one of the most broadly accepted payment devices online. Owned by disposal giant eBay, it trades on consumer satisfaction and the promise of security for sales, including some consumer protection if a transaction doesn’t go completed. On the user side, PayPal can be very helpful, although if you’re purchasing goods from abroad keep in mind that you may acquire additional tax or international money exchange obstacles.
It is worth keeping in mind that while PayPal isn’t a bank by definitions, it is a member of the BFSO (Banking & Financial Services Ombudsman), so if you do find real problems that PayPal cannot or will not fix, you can always appeal to the ombudsman.
9. Determine if a Site is Trustworthy
You must always make payments through sites you know you can trust. Giving your personal information, such as your bank details and passwords to a site you are unfamiliar with, is asking for trouble. Look up its reputation first. You should also use secured gateways when making online purchases. For example, AlertPay and PayPal are two trusted online transaction sites that allow you to make payments through them, rather than straight from your bank account.
10. Avoid Clicking Through Emails
No financial organization will send you an email requesting you to give any of your login details. If you get an email that seems to be from your bank that requests for such details, then treat it with doubt as it may be a fraud tries to cheat you into giving your credentials over.
Furthermore, be aware of connections in emails that seem to be of your bank – this is a trick often used by the evil guys to get you onto a website that looks like your bank. When you log in to ‘your account,’ they will steal your username and password and, finally your cash.
It is always reliable to reach your online bank record by typing the address into your browser immediately. Also, be aware of unwanted phone calls that indicate to be from your bank. While your financial bank may need you to answer a security question, they should never question for passwords or PINs (they may ask for specific numbers or letters from them, but never the complete thing).
If in uncertainty, do not be hesitant to hang up and then call your bank back via a telephone number that you have freely confirmed as being real.
12. Cryptocurrency
If there’s one thing we all know is questionable when it comes to online bank matters is the amount of time it demands a transfer to take place. A transaction can take up to 5 days to go into effect, and this is not ideal for various reasons, the top being safety.
Cryptocurrency is Improving the Trend!
Cryptocurrency has been making an impression in effectively every business you can think of, but it’s found a real place in the online casino domain. Because of its online optimization, cryptocurrency reduces the need for all the effort that comes with regular money casino play. Ensuring a high level of secrecy, safety, performance, and ease-of-use, cryptocurrency casinos have made the world all-action casino play in a system that is nothing small of revolutionary!
Why Would People Choose Cryptocurrency Over Common Currency?
The reason is straightforward. Because of its very essence, blockchain technology is developed to safeguard data.
Not only does it decrypt data, thus preserving your information from cyber-criminals, but it is also a decentralized way, meaning that there is no third party concerned. Transactions are conducted only between you and the casino, and most of the time these transactions are either incredibly inexpensive or completely free.
Moreover, with cryptocurrency, deposits and withdrawals are quick and straightforward. There’s also no need for the player give personal data like home address, telephone number, bank details, etc. All you need is your crypto coin details accompanied by a name and username, and you’re set to go.
When dealing with online casinos, security is an absolute preference for players, mainly when they want to withdraw money they have succeeded. There is always the risk of issues cropping up while you are expecting for the casino to assign cash into your bank account. Furthermore, there is also the matter of sharing confidential information.
People want safe and quick transactions, and this is why new online payment methods for casinos are on the rise, one of them being, of course, the use of cryptocurrency.
- Must Read: Top 5 AltCoins You Should Know About
Cryptocurrency for Your e-Commerce Store
Even many people observe cryptocurrencies as a risky purchase; it’s still worth joining it as a payment choice if you run an e-commerce store. Several favorite stores already include cryptocurrency payment options, and the number is increasing each day. Here, we’ll examine the pros and cons of adding it as a check out choice and give you with the sources to add it to your store.
- No third party
You are the boss of your money. You can keep it in your pocketbook and use it as per your preferences. There is no third party involved like a bank on whom you need to trust.
- Lower Transaction Fees
Most payment processors price around 3.0% per transaction. On top of that, some also have margin and monthly fees. Although 3.0% may not seem like much, it adds up over time.
- Cryptocurrency transaction fees are significantly less
Current Bitcoin fees are ~$1.00 per transaction and are expected to decline with additional SegWit adoption and Lightning Network implementation. Additionally, you have notable authority over the taxes that you pay. The higher your transaction fee, the faster you’ll get your payment. If you’re in no hurry, just set a lower fee payment.
Other cryptocurrency projects, like Nano, are working on an instant payment solution with absolutely no transaction fees. Some e-commerce stores have even started to implement Nano on their platform successfully.
- Easy Access
Due to the mechanism by which cryptocurrency exist – the internet, there is exceptional access unlike what is common in the traditional financial systems. With cryptocurrency, anyone can access it.
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