5 Simple Steps to Safeguard Your Personal Data

Over the last few years, a lot of data breach instances from the digital payment industry have made the headlines. Punjab National Bank data breach in February 2018, as per Asia Times report, resulted in sensitive details of customers of the bank being offered for sale through a website for at least three months. A lot of concern has been raised about the use of personally identifiable information (PII) by companies.

Does this concern you as well? Do you think your personal data is compromised and your desired privacy is breached? More importantly, do you think other third-party sites are getting access to your PII?

This is a quick read on safeguarding personal information and making digital payments securely.

Secure Browsing is critical. Check for Https:

While browsing the internet and while submitting your personally identifiable information, credit card details etc., check the https:// and a security “lock” icon on the address bar. This indicates that you are browsing a website which is secure.

Make use of two factor authentication:

When you make a digital payment, an OTP is sent to your mobile phone to authenticate the transaction so that it can go through. This follows the personal password that the user enters. Moreover, the OTP comes on the user’s personal mobile phone hence it is safe and can be viewed only by her/him.

Beware of short URLs, pseudo URL names:

You might often be directed to a payments site or personal information via a short URL. After you have been redirected, re-check on the browser if you have actually landed on the website you wanted to be in. Do not become a victim of a phishing attack.

Know the apps that you install on your smartphone:

Firstly, research a bit about the app before you install it on your smartphone. Check the number of downloads, users review etc. If the app collects your information, payment card details etc., be very sure that the app is authentic, safe and secure.

Lock your mobile handset too:

Your smartphone should be accessed only through a password. If the smartphone can be accessed directly and doesn’t need to be unlocked, anyone can use the digital wallets on the smartphone and can make a payment/ initiate a transaction.

This list might not take more than a few minutes of your time but will be extremely critical to ensure that safe digital payments are made and your personally identifiable information is secure too.

Neelesh Kripalani
CTO, Slonkit