As online shopping continues to grow in popularity year on year, it is becoming more crucial than ever for shoppers to be aware of the risks associated with online purchases and how to keep their payments safe and secure.

The benefits of shopping online and using electronic payments are widely-known; not only is it quicker and more convenient to pay without using cash, the risk of losing cash is eliminated and consumers can rest assured knowing that all payment activity is traceable. In fact, in most cases, cardholders will not be held responsible for any unauthorized purchases that appear on the account billing statement, depending on local market regulations.

Prevention is the best line of defence and the best way to prevent an attack is to keep personal information secure. From card and billing details to online banking passwords, consumers' personal information is the most valuable asset in the eyes of a cyber-criminal. With this in mind, the first step in staying safe online is to make passwords as complex and varied as possible. On top of this, shoppers should think twice about where and when they enter their passwords. If a website looks suspicious, it probably is. Lastly, shoppers should always keep a record of purchases in case they might need to refer to it at a later stage.

Check out the security portal at mastercard.com for a quick and simple checklist of easy ways to be safe and savvy online.

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