With the cybersecurity market projected to reach ~$500 billion by the end of the decade, it’s clear that digital security and privacy questions have become critical. Since many people make a significant amount of payments online, maintaining digital privacy is not only smart but essential. In this guide, you will learn how to secure your online payments to protect your funds and personal information.
Enjoy effortless online privacy with a VPN & guard your identity with a single app
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Surf the web without being tracked
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Hide your IP address and encrypt your sensitive data
-
Get alerted of data breaches targeting your personal information
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Massive 3,200+ high-speed servers fleet in 100+ countries
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Change digital locations to access websites while travelling
What is a VPN?
How safe are digital payments?
Online payments seem simple at first glance, but they require considerable security work. That’s why it’s essential to conduct financial transactions only on secure websites. Making purchases on unsecured websites attracts malicious parties who can intercept sensitive financial details such as credit card numbers to make unauthorized purchases.
Sometimes, hackers create fake web pages that resemble legitimate ones. These pages are designed to trick you into providing card details. Often, the user realizes something is wrong only after submitting their data and failing to reach the expected dashboard or payment confirmation page.
How can a VPN protect you when you’re online?
A comprehensive VPN solution such as Surfshark is a valuable tool for maintaining privacy and security online, but its benefits go beyond that. When making online purchases, choosing a safe and reliable payment method can be challenging if you’re concerned about security. A VPN helps mitigate this risk by encrypting your data and masking your identity, providing an additional layer of protection.
Securing data
A VPN not only hides your IP address but also secures your data traffic, protecting your sensitive payment details from cyber criminals. Whether you’re using Visa, Mastercard, or American Express, a VPN gives you peace of mind by ensuring your personal information remains safe throughout the transaction process.
Bypassing geographical restrictions
A VPN can also help you bypass geographic restrictions, allowing you to access not only regionally locked streaming services such as Netflix but also payment methods that might be unavailable in your region. For instance, if PayPal is not available in your country, you can use a VPN to change your virtual location and access it. By selecting a VPN server in a region where the desired payment method is accepted, you can complete transactions without limitations.
Combating negligence and scams
An important feature that comes with VPNs such as Surfshark is the Kill Switch. This function automatically disconnects you from the internet if your VPN connection drops, ensuring that you don’t accidentally make a payment without securing your device.
Surfshark also includes CleanWeb, a tool that blocks phishing attempts by preventing suspicious pop-ups and malicious links from appearing. This is especially valuable for those who might not be as familiar with phishing scams and need an extra layer of protection.
Similarly, Split Tunneling allows you to exclude specific apps from VPN protection. This is useful if certain payment apps or services may not otherwise function properly with a VPN. In addition, you can use Alternative number and ID features to generate a new name, age, address, email, and phone number and protect your datra.
Enjoy effortless online privacy with a VPN & guard your identity with a single app
-
Surf the web without being tracked
-
Hide your IP address and encrypt your sensitive data
-
Get alerted of data breaches targeting your personal information
-
Massive 3,200+ high-speed servers fleet in 100+ countries
-
Change digital locations to access websites while travelling
Addition ways of securing your online payments
In addition to using a VPN, you can take some additional steps to secure your online payments. For starters, you can:
- Use an antivirus: Installing antivirus software on your devices is crucial for identifying and stopping malware, viruses, and other cyber threats. Antivirus tools such as Surfshark Antivirus offer real-time protection and alerts, continuously scanning your system for any unusual activity and preventing malicious files from damaging your data;
- Use only secure, proven websites: Never place orders on unknown websites without a solid track record;
- Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA): MFA lets you add an additional log-in step, such as SMS and e-mail codes. This means that if hackers get a hold of your log-in details, they still won’t be able to access your accounts because they won’t have access to your phone and e-mail;
- Avoid public Wi-Fi: Never make payments on public Wi-Fi without setting up a VPN;
- Keep your devices updated: Regularly update your phone, computer, and web browsers to ensure you’re protected from known security vulnerabilities;
- Use strong, unique Passwords: Create strong passwords for your online accounts, and avoid reusing the same password across multiple sites;
- Beware of scams: Be cautious when clicking on links from emails or texts claiming to be from your bank or payment provider.
By following these steps, you can significantly reduce the risk of fraud and ensure your online payments are secure.
Conclusion
In conclusion, securing your online payments with a VPN offers an essential layer of protection by encrypting your data, masking your identity, and bypassing geographical restrictions, ensuring safer and more private transactions. Paired with additional security practices like using antivirus software, enabling multi-factor authentication, and avoiding public Wi-Fi networks, you can significantly reduce your risk of fraud and data breaches. By taking these precautions, you can confidently protect your personal information and financial transactions online.
FAQs about how a VPN can protect you when you’re online
How can a VPN protect you when you’re online?
A VPN enhances the security of online payments by encrypting your internet connection, which protects your financial information from being intercepted by cybercriminals. It also masks your IP address and geographical location, adding an additional layer of anonymity.
Should you use a VPN for online payments?
Using a VPN for online payments is not mandatory, but it provides an additional layer of security by encrypting your internet connection and protecting your data.
Can VPNs cause issues with online payments?
Some VPNs can block transactions or trigger fraud alerts due to their encryption methods. To avoid these complications, it’s crucial to select a trustworthy VPN provider.
Enjoy effortless online privacy with a VPN & guard your identity with a single app
-
Surf the web without being tracked
-
Hide your IP address and encrypt your sensitive data
-
Get alerted of data breaches targeting your personal information
-
Massive 3,200+ high-speed servers fleet in 100+ countries
-
Change digital locations to access websites while travelling
