• Paul
• On August 27, 2019

The internet has had a massive impact on all of our lives, from how we order groceries and buy clothing to how we play games and watch the latest movie blockbusters.

However, one of the biggest developments to have arisen as a result of us increasingly living our lives online is that security has become a key talking point. We want to feel safe and secure whatever we are doing and are keen to know that our personal data and financial information is being handled with the utmost care when we access websites and a host of different apps.

Keep your data secure

There are of course a number of steps we can take to keep our sensitive and private information secure online. For instance, many people will ensure their devices feature forms of encryption, while others make use of anti-virus systems to reduce the likelihood of malicious attacks or vital details being stolen. Another common tactic to emerge in recent years has also been the rise of virtual private networks – or VPNs – which allow people to mask their location and activity to prevent any potential security issues.

Earlier this year, a study perhaps put a clear spotlight on just how much consumers tend to value the issue of security when it comes to mobile devices and making purchases with them. The US study by mobile-first fintech solutions provider Entersekt and The Harris Poll found that many adults value additional security measures on mobile, with 90 per cent even stating they want the ability to approve transactions before completion. Furthermore, it also found that many people would like to be able to provide approvals in different ways.

So, with this in mind, just what are banks and online businesses ultimately doing to keep your interests and – perhaps most importantly – your money safe as you use devices which support Windows 10 Mobile as well as other forms of smartphone and tablet?

Fresh innovations

The area of security is undoubtedly under constant development, with the biggest strides unsurprisingly being seen in the world of online banking. The Entersekt study earmarked a host of tactics that consumers want to use as authentication and many of them are already making a splash in the online world.

For example, 39 per cent of respondents said they were keen on entering a PIN or password for authentication of a mobile transaction and that it is a tried and tested approach used by many these days. Furthermore, 22 per cent showed an interest in fingerprint technology, which is also becoming more and more sophisticated in mobile and other payment forms. A good example of this is news from the other side of the Atlantic which revealed fingerprint systems have been trialed on debit cards to allow consumers to make and approve contactless payments over the standard limit of £30.

In addition, huge steps forward have been taken in facial recognition technology and seven per cent of consumers polled in the Entersekt study said they are keen on that as a form of authentication. One of the most well-known uses of the technology in the banking and payment world is Face ID, the system which functions on Apple devices and allows people to make purchases via Apple Pay, iTunes and the App Store just by looking at their mobile screen.

Sites make security a priority

But just what are the biggest entertainment, retail and gaming sites doing to ensure your payment details and sensitive information is kept safe? Netflix features a very straightforward payment process but the company has outlined in recent months how it is always working to ensure that the details input by customers accessing its library of movies and TV shows are properly looked after.

Elsewhere, Amazon outlines on its site how it takes a host of steps to keep vital details safe. For example, it uses Secure Sockets Layer – or SSL – software that encrypts information which is shared, while it also follows the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) when handling credit card data. Other steps taken include adding security features to its own devices and also requesting proof of identity before disclosing information to consumers.

iGaming is another part of the online world where consumers need to feel confident that payments will be secure and sites take a range of steps to ensure that is the case. For instance, anyone who wants to play online blackjack will notice how sites like Betway go to great lengths to show its security credentials. Not only does it support a range of withdrawal and deposit options, but it also displays logos to show it meets industry standards. In addition, its services are accredited by eCOGRA, which assesses gaming sites to ensure the operator is responsible and players and their funds are properly protected.

A secure future?

All of this undoubtedly highlights how the issue of online security on mobile phone devices is not only important to consumers, but also to banking and payment services providers and the sites that ultimately receive your hard-earned cash.

New technology is emerging all of the time and it has ultimately led to the creation of a range of effective tools and solutions for this area. The landscape has truly shifted and it will be intriguing to see what is next when a new wave of innovations emerges. With so many aspects of our lives now based online, such developments are hopefully a sign that we will be able to keep safe and secure whatever the future holds.