Mobile Transactions, Are They Safe?

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Guest post from Neil who is a tech writer and head of marketing for eMobileScan, who are one of the UK’s leading suppliers of handheld barcode scanners to wide variety of industries throughout the UK and Europe. If you’d like to contribute a guest post please see here

Technology has advanced in leaps and bounds through the years, and has affected much of the things we do today. In fact, some of the things which were considered impossible just a few years ago have become common practice. One new thing which is quickly gaining popularity among businesses is mobile retailing.

Some of us may find this term fairly new but would be surprised that we have been participating in them with many of our mobile applications. Mobile retailing is done whenever we choose to download a ringtone or a screensaver from our mobile phone. Advertisements, and goods or services being offered to mobile users is also considered part of mobile retailing.

Mobile Security

One of the main concerns consumers face with mobile retailing is security. Identity theft has grown over the years as more and more consumers convert to online transactions. Many of the problems being faced by mobile transactions are similar to those seen when people started to use the internet for purchasing products or online banking. Securing personal information and safeguarding payments through wireless transactions has become a major concern, that many businesses have started incorporating strict measures to address this problem.

Technology experts have suggested that businesses start by integrating security measures within their infrastructure. Transactions may be vulnerable to attacks at the mobile device, the network or at the end of the payment system. Securing the integrity of the mobile retailing environment requires that these three levels be safeguarded from attacks.

Attacks on mobile transactions already exist though most of these are still in their conceptual stages. New technologys presents new opportunities for business but also pose equal risks to their consumers. Personal information such as bank accounts and social security numbers are often required for many of the financial transactions. It is this which makes safeguarding all transactions essential for keeping mobile retailing safe for consumers.

Much of the threats being seen in mobile retailing could be seen in internet applications. But mobile services should also understand that there are fundamental differences between mobile and web transactions. A major concern for mobile security is weak authentication and the vulnerability of the mobile phone to theft.

Some of the important concerns that should be tackled in addressing these concerns include:

• Authentication
• Better encryption
• Constant monitoring
• Better fraud detection techniques
• Blocking suspect connections
• Keeping mobile devices safe from malware

The ability of smartphones to connect to the internet has made mobile retailing possible. Most of these transactions are channeled through the internet so considerable effort should also be exerted in keeping these sites secure from attacks. Mobile and internet services must exert equal efforts to secure their platforms.

As mobile retailing becomes more powerful and its clout in business grows, so does the threats. Better integration between mobile and internet technology makes safeguarding both platforms equally important. This creates the possibility of crossover threats, where weaknesses in one platform may be exploited to attack the other one.

However, improved security should not affect the consumer’s mobile experience. Convenience and ease of use are mobile retailing’s main selling points, and any changes may cause detrimental effects on general consumer sentiment. Measures should be made to work seamlessly and virtually invisible to avoid spoiling the mobile experience.

Securing mobile transactions is not only important for safeguarding consumers from attacks but more importantly in protecting a business’s reputation. In order for a business to succeed in the world of mobile retailing, great efforts must be made to keep their services safe and convenient for the everyday consumer. Lessons can be learned from the early drawbacks of internet marketing making mobile retailing a safe and excellent platform for business.

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