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  Individuals and businesses have cause to be extra-careful when conducting financial transactions online. While digital technology has solved the problem of distance as it relates to making and receiving payments, it comes with risks.
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Cybercriminals lurk in the shadows, seeking to exploit loopholes in online transactions. They employ a host of tactics to dupe the parties involved or to hack into their accounts. Unless you take steps to protect yourself against them, you may fall victim to their schemes. Here are five ways you can keep yourself safe when making online payments in Nigeria.

Use A Secure Connection

If you’re about to conduct a transaction online, be sure that the URL of the platform you’re using begins with https://. This signifies that your connection to the site is secure, i.e. the data you send and receive through the website is protected. When a connection is secure, the data you send and receive through it is masked from third parties, making it difficult for intruders to steal it. Never transact on unsecured connections (indicated by URLs that begin with https://). They are more easily broken into.

Don’t Save Card Details Online

You may be tempted to save your card details online; this makes it easy for you to access them for your next transaction. Many online shopping sites even present you with this option. But it’s not a good idea. If you save your card information online, criminals may get hold of it and use it for fraudulent purchases. They could even set up pages counterfeiting real e-commerce sites and request visitors to store their card details on them. It’s always safer to enter your card information manually.
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Avoid Using Public WiFi

Cybersecurity experts talk about this a lot. And that’s because public WiFi connections aren’t safe, even at the best of times. Devices connected to public WiFi are easier to hack into. Criminals can exploit the network’s weak defences, get into a phone or computer, and steal sensitive information. Always carry out your online transactions on a private network. This way, it’s harder for intruders to snoop on what you’re doing. You may also want to use a private window on your browser instead of the regular one. Also, don’t use public computers (e.g. those in offices or cybercafés) for your online transaction. They’re just as unsafe as public WiFi.

Use Strong Passwords

The simpler a password is, the easier it is for cybercriminals to figure it out. You’ll want your passwords to be strong so that it’s harder to compromise. Things like date of birth, your name in reverse, or sequential numbers or letters do not make for good passwords. They’ll be easier to guess, and vulnerable to brute-force attacks. Don’t use popular words or phrases. Instead, go for something that’s a mixture of upper and lower-case letters, numbers, and symbols. Also, make it long. These measures will shrink the chances of a criminal determining what your password is.

Use Reputable Platforms

Only make payments on platforms that have a good reputation for this purpose. Avoid obscure websites or apps; there’s a risk that they’re set up simply to rob unsuspecting users.

Final Words

You don’t want to lose precious funds to online thieves. Take the precautions we’ve shared here, and you’ll be several steps ahead of them, and safe from their reach. Featured Image Source: Global Trade Review
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This article was first published on 3rd September 2021

ikenna-nwachukwu

Ikenna Nwachukwu holds a bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He loves to look at the world through multiple lenses- economic, political, religious and philosophical- and to write about what he observes in a witty, yet reflective style.

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