Friday 11 January 2013

How to do secure Online Transaction ?




When I think to do Online Transaction the first thing comes into my mind is the SECURITY of the online transaction. I used to do some checks before I go for any online transaction. 

The security checks are:-

1. Always use secure HTTP connection (HTTPS ://) 


Whenever you do an online transaction please make sure that you are using a secure http connection. Always use https:// instead of http because https:// is a secured encrypted connection.
All the communication between the browser and the web server happen in encrypted form.


2. Always check the SSL certificate of the site when you are making any online transaction.

How do you check this SSL certificate?

Let’s take an example of PayPal site. I am using the Google chrome browser. Type https://www.paypal.com

          
Green color indicates that communication between your browser and website is encrypted and that the certification authority has confirmed the website is owned or operated by a business that is legally organized.

                If the certificate is invalid, the URL bar stays white. The word “https" is shown red and stroke trough.



3. Virtual keyboards 

Always use virtual keyboards when you are doing an online transaction. Why I am suggesting is suppose you are doing a transaction from some cyber cafe or some public computer where it may the case the key logger program is running. Key logger keeps the log of the keys you press from a physical keyboard. By this they can keep track of your typed password.

        In case of virtual keyboards Key logger can't figure it out what key you are typing because you are not using the physical keys.

4. Virtual Credit Cards

        Virtual credit cards are good when you want to do shopping with your debit/credit card. 
        No need to disclose your actual credit/debit card number when you buy something. 
       You can specify the money limit how much you want to put in your Virtual Credit Card and you can also specify the expiry date of you virtual card. How cool it is.

        This feature is provided by the net banking sites.
 Always use Virtual Credit Card provided by your banking sites, DO NOT use any other Virtual Credit Card software.

5. Use only trusted site for online payment or shopping.

6. Keep track of your all transaction. 

7. At last what about phishing?

        Phishing scams are usually presented in the form of spam or pop-ups and are often difficult to detect. 
        They obtain your personal information; can use it for all types of identity theft.

       
 How you can protect yourself against phishing ?
    • First and important is always use https:// and check the SSL security certificate. 
    • Never use links in an email to connect to a Web site. If you do that they can take you to the phishing site which look like the real site but if you notice there is a minor difference in the web address name. So open a new browser window and type the URL directly into the address bar.
    • Beware of emails asking for confidential information especially of a financial nature.
    • Never submit confidential information via forms embedded within email messages.


9 comments:

  1. This is very helpful Information to aware about the security when we do online transaction.
    I will keep following and do the same for secure online transaction as you have mentioned in your blog.

    Thanks Shobhit :)

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  2. Thanks buddy..http:// was new for me...

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  3. It is very useful for me.... the virtual credit card is new to me... can you explain about it like what is the purpose of this card , merits & demerits and how to get that card...

    Thanks Shobhit :-)

    by Balu

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  4. Balu Virtual Credit Cards is a facility provided by the Net Banking Sites. I have used HDFC virtual credit cards facility.
    Good things of using a Virtual Credit Cards are :-
    1) You don't need to disclose your original credit/debit card no. By doing this you are taking a one more step in secure transactions.
    2) The card number is virtually given by your net banking sites. so its safe also if somebody want to fraud you.
    3) You can modify the expiry date and how much amount you want to put in your virtual credit/debit card.
    4) Suppose you don;t have credit card and in some case you have to use only credit card to buy some products. Create your virtual card and use it.

    For more information how to create a virtual credit card, check you net banking site and important thing is do not use any other virtual credit card software except your Banking site.

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  5. This blog can really help a lot of people. It can be a real eye opener! Even I had no idea about virtual debit/credit cards. Thanks for bringing it to my notice. Keep up the good work! :)

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  6. This blog is very useful one.I am sure it will be of great use to all those people who are involved in online transactions.However may i ask you to to enlighten me on how to link my credit card and my PayPal account since i tried and it always never succeeds.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Evans, Thanx for showing your interest.

      To link your card to your PayPal account, the billing address on your card statement must match the address on your PayPal account.

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    2. For security reasons, you can only link a card that has a card verification number (also known as a card security code).

      PayPal ask you to enter the card verification number when you link the card to your PayPal account.

      On MasterCard, Visa, and Discover cards, the verification number is a 3-digit number printed on the back of your card. It appears after your card number.
      On American Express cards, the verification number is a 4-digit number printed on the front of your card. It appears after your card number.

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