Best Secure Online Payments to Use for Holiday Purchases

The holiday season is upon us… and you want to get your shopping done as fast as you can so you can enjoy some holiday cheer. Shopping online is a great way to get your shopping done quick, however, before making a payment be sure the site you are on offers secure online payments.

Online shopping has largely replaced traditional shopping making it easier and faster to complete transactions. However, with the convenience of online shopping comes the security risk from cybercriminals and you should take precautions by using only payment methods that are safe and secure.

In this article, we will look at the best ways to securely pay online so you don’t lose your money to fraudsters.

Secure Payment Method that You can Use for Online Shopping

1. Credit Cards

Credit cards have been around for a while. They are convenient and are widely accepted means of payment on online shopping channels. They are designed to be secure and they have a uniform method of being used to pay for various websites.

Your credit card liability is limited to $50 in case there is fraudulent use of your card according to the Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA). Your liability reduces to zero if you report that your card is stolen before being used for fraudulent activity.

You can make your online shopping more secure by having a dedicated credit card for online purchases or request for a virtual card to protect your real credit card. With this option, you can monitor the card for suspicious or unauthorized transactions.

When you use a credit card, the money is not charged directly to your bank account. The card issuer funds the purchase on your behalf depending on your credit and you pay back later.

2. Debit Cards

Debit cards are like credit cards; they differ in the way your transactions are funded and the level of security provided by the issuer.

Debit card transactions are funded directly from your bank account. With it, you don’t have to worry about paying more than what you can afford.

Debit cards also offer zero liability when reported lost or stolen before being used. However, it requires more prompt reporting to protect you from liability. Not reporting suspicious transactions within 60 days may make you liable for all charges. Your bank may have some variation of these policies, so you should enquire about it.

You also have the option of using a prepaid debit card. Here, funds are preloaded onto the card that you can use to make payment online. Unlike normal debit cards, the charges are not funded directly from your account, and you are limited to the funds loaded onto the prepaid card.

Debit card issuers have monitoring systems to detect suspicious activities on your card. There is also an option for two-factor authentication for online purchases using your phone or email.

3. Wire Transfers

Some online retailers support wire transfer. In this case, agreed funds are transferred to an account provided by the merchant. The transaction is completed by sending the details to the merchant for confirmation.

This method is secure as only you can initiate a transfer to an authorized account for online purchases.

4. Gift Cards

Gift cards exist in electronics or physical form. They are usually given as a sincere appreciation to customers or as part of marketing discounts. Gift cards aren’t connected to your bank or even your personal details. You won’t expose any sensitive information while using gift cards to pay for services and goods online.

Popular marketplace like Amazon and Walmart offer gift cards for various purchases.

5. Mobile Payment

How about paying with your phone?

Mobile payment methods serve as a digital wallet and let you pay securely for various items online. You only need to link your credit or debit card details to the mobile application on your phone once and you can shop with them continuously after that.

These payment methods include Apple Pay, Google pay, and Samsung pay. They are highly secure options for making online payments and they also protect your card data from third parties.

When on the check out page, you can select the mobile payment option available on your phone. You will need your phone passcode or biometrics ID to complete payment using this method.

6. Other Payment Services

There are other third party payment services such as PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, and Visa checkout for making secure payments online.

These payment methods have their unique security features in place to help make your payments safe when shopping online.

They generally have good privacy systems that prevent your personal financial data from getting to other people’s hands. They are safer than credit cards that you carry around in your wallet.

The most popular of these platforms is PayPal which we will explore below.

PayPal
PayPal keeps payment details secret which minimize the risk of it falling into the wrongs. One of its most popular features is that it offers buyer protection in case of a fraud or non-delivery of goods. It is easy and secure to use and can be accessed via mobile app or browser.
To use PayPal, register an account and then link your debit or credit card to it

Merchants that accept PayPal have its logo on the order page and you just need to login into your account to approve a payment.

Extra Tip! Before you make a purchase online, look for the little lock sign at the top left corner of your browser. This lock sign is a symbol that represents a SSL encryption which means the website is secure. In addition to the lock, the beginning of the url with “http” should include an “S”, so the beginning of the url will look like this… “https://” 

Every form of online payment has Its risks. When shopping online this holiday season it is essential that you focus on payment security even though it is easier to get carried away by shopping activities. By following the advice discussed above, you will be using the most secure payment system to protect yourself from fraud or theft.

Editor’s note: This blog post was originally posted on December 17, 2020 – a slight edit has been made to keep this content up-to-date.

June 17, 2025
Meeting IT security compliance standards is crucial for businesses that handle sensitive data, particularly in industries such as healthcare, finance, defense, and e-commerce. Regulatory frameworks such as HIPAA, CMMC, PCI-DSS, and GDPR exist to help ensure businesses protect customer information and maintain robust cybersecurity practices. Unfortunately, many organizations fall short of these requirements, often due to common, avoidable mistakes. These gaps can result in costly fines, data breaches, and reputational damage, which can significantly impact the business's bottom line and customer trust. 1. Failing to Conduct Regular Risk Assessments The Pitfall: Many businesses overlook the importance of conducting routine risk assessments. Without these, it’s challenging to identify vulnerabilities or evaluate whether your current cybersecurity controls meet compliance standards. How to Avoid It: Implement a regular risk assessment schedule. Work with a qualified IT provider to evaluate your systems, identify weaknesses, and document remediation plans. These assessments should be performed at least annually, or whenever significant changes to the system occur. 2. Inadequate Employee Training The Pitfall: Your employees are your first line of defense—and often your most significant vulnerability. A common compliance issue arises when businesses fail to train staff on cybersecurity best practices or on handling sensitive data appropriately. How to Avoid It: Invest in ongoing cybersecurity awareness training. Ensure employees understand how to recognize phishing emails, create strong passwords, and report any suspicious activity. Training should be updated regularly to reflect current threats and compliance requirements. 3. Improper Data Handling and Storage The Pitfall: Storing sensitive data in unsecured locations, failing to encrypt information, or retaining data longer than necessary are significant compliance risks. These practices are often flagged during audits. How to Avoid It: Adopt data classification policies that define how different types of data should be handled; encrypt sensitive data both at rest and in transit. Establish clear data retention policies and ensure that obsolete data is disposed of securely. 4. Lack of Incident Response Planning The Pitfall: When a security incident occurs, time is of the essence. Many businesses lack a documented incident response plan, or their existing plan hasn’t been thoroughly tested. This can lead to delayed responses, increased damage, and regulatory penalties. How to Avoid It: Develop a formal incident response plan that includes roles, responsibilities, communication protocols, and steps for containment and recovery. Run simulated breach scenarios with your IT team to ensure everyone knows how to respond effectively. 5. Using Outdated Software or Systems The Pitfall: Running outdated operating systems, software, or firmware is a common issue that can lead to compliance failures. Unsupported technologies are more vulnerable to exploitation. How to Avoid It: Keep all systems and applications up to date with the latest patches. Use automated tools to track software versions and receive alerts about end-of-life technologies. Schedule regular maintenance windows to apply updates and upgrades. 6. Insufficient Access Controls The Pitfall: Allowing too many employees access to sensitive data—or failing to revoke access when it’s no longer needed—can lead to data breaches and non-compliance. How to Avoid It: Implement role-based access controls and follow the principle of least privilege. This principle means that each user should have the minimum level of access necessary to perform their job. Regularly audit user accounts and permissions to ensure access is current and appropriate. Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an additional layer of protection. 7. Neglecting Third-Party Vendor Risks The Pitfall: Businesses often overlook the fact that their compliance responsibilities extend to third-party vendors. If a vendor mishandles your data, you could still be held accountable. How to Avoid It: Vet third-party vendors carefully. Ensure they meet the same compliance standards as your business and include security requirements in your contracts. Conduct periodic audits or request compliance certifications from your vendors. 8. Failing to Document Policies and Procedures The Pitfall: Even if your security practices are strong, failing to document your compliance policies can result in audit failures. Regulators want to see evidence that you have formal processes in place. How to Avoid It: Create and maintain clear documentation for all compliance-related policies, including data protection, access control, incident response, and employee training. Make these documents easily accessible for audits and regularly review them to ensure updates are current. Conclusion Compliance with IT security standards is not a one-time project—it requires ongoing attention, regular updates, and a proactive approach to maintain effectiveness. By understanding and addressing these common pitfalls, your business can stay ahead of regulatory requirements, strengthen its security posture, and reduce the risk of costly incidents. This ongoing attention is crucial to maintaining your business's security and audit readiness. If you’re unsure whether your business is meeting current IT compliance standards, professional support can help. Contact SDTEK today to schedule a compliance assessment and learn how our IT services can keep your business secure and audit-ready. With our support, you can navigate the complex landscape of IT security compliance with confidence.
April 9, 2025
In today’s digital-first world, cybersecurity isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. Whether you run a small startup or a growing enterprise in Fort Wayne , protecting your business’s data, systems, and clients is essential for long-term success. From ransomware attacks to phishing scams, cyber threats are evolving every day, and the best way to stay ahead of them is by partnering with a reliable IT services provider that understands the unique needs of local businesses. Here’s why investing in professional business IT support is one of the smartest decisions Fort Wayne businesses can make—and how working with SDTEK helps protect your operations, your data, and your reputation.