An online transaction is a payment mechanism in which funds or money are sent via electronic fund transfer over the Internet. The online transaction process (OLTP) is password protected and secure. The three phases in an online transaction usually include:
- Registration
- Placing an order
- Making a payment
It is estimated that the number of digital payment system users in India will grow up to 71.7% by 2025. This rise can be attributed to a number of factors, including avoiding the time-consuming procedure of utilizing cash and balances, avoiding contact during the pandemic, increased international trade, and the emergence of small enterprises on social media platforms such as Instagram.
Online Transactions: Is Safety a Concern?
With the sudden rise in the number of online transactions using digital payment, several security concerns are also arising.
With technological improvements and technological specialists providing safe digital payment systems, like Zaakpay, the notion that offline transactions are safer than online transactions has been discredited.
In general, big-box stores do not commit to security in the same way that Internet retailers do. They opt out because overhauling their entire system and taking additional security procedures is an expensive and time-consuming endeavor. This contrasts with online shops, which are constructed from the bottom with tight security in mind because a single breach might spell the end of their business.
All users have now gained confidence in online payment methods. They have come to terms with the issue of security, and the number of online transactions has increased and continues to expand. According to a recent analysis by Business Standard, the number of digital payment system users in India is estimated to be about 300 million.
The rising volume of online transactions leads us to believe that there are almost no to very few security problems associated with them. Despite the fact that specialists have safeguarded these transactions, buyers and sellers can take a number of safeguards to ensure their own safety.
Tips for Buyers for Ensuring Payment Security
There are certain things that a buyer can keep in mind to protect themselves from online fraud. These include:
- Passwords – Passwords keep money safe. Therefore, ensure to make a strong password and avoid making any mistake while creating one as it may result in loss of money.
Here are some tips to make your password strong enough to protect the money:
- Use a password including upper and lower-case characters, numbers, and symbols that is difficult to guess.
- Use different passwords and usernames for different online accounts.
- Passwords should be changed as often as feasible, but at least once every three months.
- Passwords and user identification information should never be shared.
- Never click any links in an email that asks for personal information. To report a problem, call the institution as soon as possible.
- Online Shopping – Users should always be cautious when shopping online and keep the following considerations in mind:
- After you’ve completed your transaction, log out of your bank, credit card, and merchant sites.
- Allowing your computer to save usernames and passwords for merchant and banking websites is not a good idea.
- When creating security questions for websites online, use false information unrelated to your personal information, and keep note of your responses.
- Use safe eCommerce sites – Online payment systems are safer to use as they are recognized to be secure and have a brand name.
- When feasible, use a trusted third-party payment service like Zaakpay for online transactions. These sites offer secure purchases as well as dispute resolution.
- Only use a website that starts with “https://” for secure online transactions. Do not trust a merchant who does not include an “S” after the “http” at the beginning of the web URL.
- Where should you avoid shopping –
- Using public Wi-Fi to shop, pay bills, or access your bank or credit card websites is not a good idea. Instead, shop from the comfort of your own home using a secure Internet connection.
- Avoid using “one-click ordering” payment methods. Entering a username and password on a merchant site takes a few more seconds, but recovering from online credit card fraud can take months.
- Ensure using the most recent version of your browser. They’ll encrypt and secure data sent over the Internet with cutting-edge technology.
- Antivirus programs –
- Run virus scans on your computer on a regular basis.
- Use an ad-blocking program as well as a spyware detection Keep these programs up to date and conduct scans on a regular basis.
Safe Transaction Tips for Sellers
- To secure consumers’ personal information, strict compliance should be enforced throughout the firm with the support of the IT department.
- Secure online payments by complying with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), which is the highest degree of compliance for online credit/debit card payments.
- Obtain Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certification, which encrypts the connection between the server and the browser, ensuring that data is transmitted securely and cannot be hacked.
- It is critical that your computer system be secure. Install the firewalls and run the antivirus. Also, as a protection against phishing, employ anti-spam software to avoid spam or trash emails.
- Use Address Verification and verify the buyer’s address with the Pin Code. Have delivery policies in place, such as purchasers’ signatures at the time of delivery and returns. Also, teach the delivery person how to inspect the returned things thoroughly.
- Keep an eye on buyer behavior and keep an eye out for any unusual transactions. When making a major purchase, it may be necessary to demand an ID card for security reasons.
- Maintain the buyer’s obligation to use strong passwords.
Conclusion
To summarize, digital payment systems hold the future of payment systems. Online payment systems have made our lives easier and transactions more efficient without the drawbacks of cash exchange. Technical professionals look after the security of these systems, but if buyers and sellers take a few simple precautions to safeguard their own safety, these systems will be nearly foolproof.