As digital payments continue to take the major part of everyday transactions in India, the comfortability UPI (Unified Payments Interface) provides makes it the automatic choice of millions. However, along with the ease of use, people should be aware of the important measures that are necessary for their transactions to stay safe. Securing your transactions requires not only alertness but also the use of safe UPI apps that conform to the best practices of cyber safety.
We are going to explain in this guide how to keep your digital payments safe while UPI-enabled transfers allow you to fully enjoy all their benefits.
Choose Only Verified and Trusted UPI Apps
All applications are not the same and a safe UPI app is the one that is released by the reliable source like one of the banks, a licensed fintech firm, or the one that is downloaded through the verified app stores and has high ratings. Apps that are associated with government initiatives like BHIM or those that are controlled by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) are also considered secure.
It is better to stay away from the downloading of APK files or third-party apps, particularly those that are coming from sources that are not trustworthy. These are most of the time easily attacked by viruses or in the case of a more detrimental situation, they are embedded with malware.
Use the Phone Security Feature and Lock the UPI App
It is a good practice to lock your UPI app, and a method of doing so is either through a password or fingerprint or face unlock. A lot of secure apps also permit the users to enter only after entering an additional PIN for access that does not coincide with the transaction PIN. Likewise, the latest and therefore most secure version of your phone’s operating system is also a must and the lock screen has to be kept on.
These tips are very helpful if your phone gets lost or stolen as the chances of you being tracked are less.
Ensure Strong and Secret UPI PINs
Your UPI PIN is the most important security feature for your payments. Do not reveal it to anyone, not even if a person calls from the support centre and asks for it. Also, remember not to choose common PINs that are easy to guess (like birth years or, alternatively, repeating the same numbers).
In a perfect world, a powerful PIN combined with your awareness could actually put an end to almost all scamming activities.
Be Careful of Puppetry Links and Scams
Cheats and swindlers attempt to persuade users to visit their sites via SMS, email, or social platforms in which payment and other redirecting links anchor. A genuine UPI app will not distribute your login information until it is solicited by you through the normal link or someone does not ask you to put your PIN in to accept the money.
Check the link of the payment and proceed to make the transaction only through the app you have—not from unknown sources.
Control Notifications and Transaction Alerts
Almost every time you carry out a UPI transaction, you receive a message or SMS. Read these quickly and inform the bank or the payment gateway if you detect any unusual items. Many applications offer you the possibility to set a limit on the amount of money you want to spend and receive the most updated information, giving you the power to lead all your transactions.
The sooner you take action against potential fraud, the greater the chance of getting your money back or stopping the misuse.
Stay Away from Public Wi-Fi When Doing Transactions
Situating financial transactions on unsecured public Wi-Fi is likely to jeopardize you with hackers. Be sure to make a connection over a private and secure network, especially when the transactions are large in number. An unprotected network cannot be made up for by a secure app—not to say you need both to meet your expectations.
If it’s necessary to conduct a deal in a public place, use mobile data instead of a free Wi-Fi connection.
Keep the app updated regularly
Updates usually fix problems, introduce new features, and protect vulnerabilities. Operating the latest version of a secure UPI app ensures that you will be able to profit from the best protection levels and system improvements. If it is possible, set your apps to auto-update or at least check for updates on a regular basis.
This positive approach is even better protection against digital payment fraud.
Conclusion
It is everyone’s duty to take care of their security. The fact that UPI has a strong and regulated infrastructure doesn’t take your responsibility for precautions when using these apps. You can maintain the safety of your convenient transactions by lodging in a secured UPI app and employing smart practices such as setting strong personal identification numbers, disregarding suspicious links, and constantly using the latest version of the app.