5 Safety Tips for Secure Mobile Transactions

With the promotion of a cashless economy by the Government, more and more people are likely to embrace digital modes of transactions. Many users are trying out these modes for the first time. Due to better mobility, smartphones are the most convenient choice for a lot of people. But how exactly can you ensure the safety of your transactions on your smartphone? Here are some tips to follow while using your phone for digital transactions.

1. Do Not Download Apps from Unknown Sources

This should be a no-brainer. Whenever you have to download apps you must do it only from the official App store for your device i.e. Play Store for Android users and App Store for iOS users. Downloading Apps from an unknown source can infect your smartphone with malware. Watch out for clues to spot a potentially dangerous app. For instance, you must beware of apps seeking a lot of permissions or exuding a lack of professionalism in its look and feel. Always remember to read through the reviews and the overall rating before downloading the app. Install an antivirus which will actively scan malicious apps and warn you if you attempt to download them.

 Trust me!

2. Protect your Device with Passwords

I’m sure nobody appreciates the idea of someone snooping over their phone. Setting a password on your device’s lock screen is the first step in securing your phone. You can choose any format such as a password, pin, pattern or face unlock. Try not to make it too easy and obvious for anyone to guess. It is recommended to set up a second layer of protection for certain apps which you use for digital transactions (e.g. your bank’s app). So even if someone bypasses your lock screen password they are unable to access all the apps. It is also a good practice to never store your credit/debit card details or passwords on any of the apps you use for financial transactions.

My password, my choice. In your face hackers!

3. Check Mobile Websites for HTTPS

In some instances when you must use the website of a company to make transactions as they don’t have an app, make sure it is a secure HTTPS connection. This guarantees that the data you’re sending is only shared between your device and the server of that website. Look out for that padlock icon in the browser. If you can wait then it’s always a good idea to get to a computer or a laptop to make such transactions.

Seek and you will find!

4. Send Data over a Secure Internet Connection

Whether you’re shopping online or transferring money, it is absolutely important you ensure that you do these transactions over a secure connection. Using Wi-Fi available in public places can turn out to be risky while doing digital transactions. Using Wi-Fi in public places to access your social media handles may be a good idea but not so much while making financial transactions.

 No, you can’t reverse an unsecure transaction.

5. Use social media judiciously

Social media channels have become easy targets for hackers and this is why you must use these sites judiciously. There are a lot of fake news and spam links floating around so never click on suspicious links which may redirect you to phishing sites. A lot of these links are capable of stealing crucial data stored on your phone.

That awkward moment when you click on a fake news!

A robust security software is essential not just for your computer but also for your phone. Make sure you have the best antivirus solution installed on your smartphone.

GIFs Credit: giphy.com

Ankita Ashesh