Many people in Europe already use their mobile phones to make contactless payments instead of a debit card. The smartphone has certain advantages such as greater security or the possibility of making any changes quickly and easily through the banking application, Google Wallet or any payment application.
However, it is also necessary to modify certain parameters of this type of payment to make them as secure as possible. After all, they depend to a large extent on the security each user has on their mobile, and the more protected it is, the more protected the bank account will be too.
You can always improve the security of many sections of Android, and this is one of them, because it is possible to make these payments slightly more complicated to make. This may make the process a little more uncomfortable for the user, but it will benefit in terms of security, and This could be something differential if the device is lost.
Set boundaries on the map
Whether paying by card or with your mobile, it’s convenient set spending limits so that it is not possible to exceed a certain amount on a daily basis. This will guarantee a certain moderation when shopping, and in case you need to buy something with a higher amount, you will just have to go to the bank’s application and change this figure.
Another limit that is important to establish is the limit above which you can make a purchase with your cell phone without having to enter the PIN code in the payment terminal. In general, It is set at 50 dollars, but it might be a good idea to lower it to 20 dollars. In this way, each time a purchase greater than this amount is made, not only will the mobile phone have to be unlocked to use payments, but the PIN for using the card will also have to be entered at the point of sale of the company. in which it is purchased. is paid.
Having limits on the card, both for everyday spending and for passwordless payments, can be a big help in protecting you in case someone else gets hold of the card or cell phone. So, during the time it takes to cancel the card online, the person who owns it will not be able to use it to make high-value purchases.
Turn off NFC
Mobile payments work using NFC connectivity. It works at a very short distance, practically sticking the mobile phone to the device you want to use it with. Beyond mobile payments, it is also used to quickly pair Bluetooth devices.
Therefore, it may be a good idea to turn off this sensor when not in use. It’s a very simple task, since you can put a quick setting in the notification bar to turn it on or off with a simple tap on the screen. This way, even if your phone is unlocked, payments can only be made if this option is re-enabled.
Additionally, there are devices capable of using this connection to steal user data, which is why it also provides some shield in terms of security. It is difficult for this to happen, because to use it the cybercriminal would have to bring it within a few centimeters of the mobile phone, but there is never any harm in being careful. Some phones already have the option in the NFC settings to only be able to use it with the screen on.
Protects the mobile well
To use Google Wallet or any other payment application, it is necessary that the user has configured a screen lock method, so that there is a first barrier to prevent an unknown person from taking the device and d ‘try to pay with it.
It must be taken into account that, with this, the PIN code or pattern that is put on the device to unlock it will be more important than ever, so it should not be a simple “1234”, and so that it is not as obvious as the year of birth or an “L” drawn on the pattern.
In this sense, it is better to opt for a slightly complicated option, the more random the better, as this will make it more difficult for a stranger – or an acquaintance – to guess it. If a wearable device is used to pay, such as a smart watch, it will also ask the user to set a password or pattern that must be entered on the device screen.
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