Making Payments Online in 2021: How To Stay Safe

When you make online payments, do you keep your details safe? Find out how you can make payments in a safe way here in this article.

15:17 17 December 2020

Online shopping has been a popular pastime for many people for years not but more recently, we are seeing an increase in the number of people buying things online rather than visiting physical stores. While there may be advantages to this, there are also risks that come along with making payments online.

 

The good news is that you don’t need to put your personal or bank details at risk, as long as you know how to stay safe. Below, we’ll give you some tips to help you do this.

 

Check for SSL Certificates

 

Have you ever noticed the SSL certificate that is at the top of websites that accept payments? Not all websites have this and if they don’t this could indicate that they are not as secure as you think. Of course, you should be aware that there are various levels of SSL certificates and some retailers will buy cheaper ones just to have it on there. Just make sure to look out for the padlock to have that extra peace of mind.

 

Use Trusted Payment Methods

 

When you make a payment online, you should always make sure that you are using trusted payment methods. If you were to pay for a new TV online or you were to win real money at online casinos, you would want to make sure that the money went through with no interruptions. To achieve this, you will need to use methods such as PayPal, Skrill or Neteller. These e-wallets are secure and can protect your funds. If you use a debit card, just make sure you have two-factor authentication set up.

 

Protect Your Accounts

 

You have probably been warned by many people throughout your life to protect your account information and passwords but how often do you actually change these? If you keep the same passwords for years on end, you could find that they are much easier to access by hackers. You should regularly change your passwords and keep this information private. If you manage this, you could make payments online safely.

 

Don’t Use Public Networks

 

Finally, in 2021, you should make sure that you are not using public networks to make payments. If you have to make large payments, you should use your home WIFI or a network that you trust. Public networks can be hacked into and your information and funds can be stolen. It can be tempting to connect to the WIFI on the train and do some shopping but this can be incredibly risky.

 

Try These Tips

 

If you are planning on making some online purchases or depositing some money online, you should try to make use of the tips that we have given you in this article. Try to only use trusted payment methods and check the security of the site before you commit to sending the money. This way, you won’t risk your details being stolen or your money ending up in the wrong hands.