Each time you make a financial transaction online you are potentially making yourself vulnerable to cyber-theft. Online shopping, gaming, and even making charitable donations means submitting details which could be copied by thieves who will go on to extract as much cash as possible from your accounts. However, there are certain steps you can take to ensure you don’t become a victim of online theft.
Update Your Online Security Settings
Ensure your anti-virus and anti-malware software is up to date and switched on. Once these are installed you will have to do very little to make sure your details can not be snatched from your PC, laptop or tablet.
Use Reputable Sites
If you haven’t heard of a certain retailer before and their site looks unprofessional, avoid it at all costs. Should you be inundated with pop ups, this is yet another sign that the site perhaps should not be trusted. Stick to the more famous and reputable sites and companies as they will have measures in place to protect any transactions.
Look out for Secure Payment Methods
Online companies are well aware of the need to provide their customers with secure methods of payment and will clarify precisely how you can transfer money, or collect payment on their site. For example, if you visit the popular casino and sports games site, Betway, you will find an entire page dedicated to informing customers about their many secure and flexible payment options. Lookout for PayPal, PaysafeCard, EntroPay Card and Neteller as these are known secure online payment methods.
Use a Credit Card Rather than a Debit Card
As credit cards come under the Consumer Credit Directive your credit card provider is jointly responsible for any purchases you make, along side the company from which you make your purchase. This means that if you have bought something between the value of £100 and £60,260 and the supplier or service provider can not or will not reimburse you if needed, then your credit card provider will do so instead.
Choose Strong Passwords
This seems like simple common sense, but many people choose very simple passwords, using their own birthday or even their name in the belief that nobody would attempt to access their details. Always use obscure symbols, as well as a mix of numbers and upper and lower-case letters, and resist the urge to keep it written down anywhere. It is always wise to change your password frequently so that if someone has managed to correctly guess any previous passwords, they will not be able to access any off your online information.
Always Log Out
This is especially vital if you are using a public computer or somebody else’s laptop and if you are making any kind of online transaction, always log out. Even if you are using your own device, ensure you log out so that if your laptop, mobile or tablet is stolen nobody can access your personal information.
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