NowSecure’s Post

THE RISE OF DIGITAL WALLETS - HOW SAFE IS YOURS? PART 1 Digital wallets, like Apple Pay and Google Pay, along with mobile banking apps, have fast become the go-to solution for making payments and managing money. Whether you're paying for groceries, splitting bills with friends, or shopping online, these apps simplify your financial life. Their convenience is unmatched—no more fumbling for cards or cash, just a quick tap or swipe on your phone, smartwatch, or even your fitness tracker and you’re good to go. However, with convenience comes responsibility. In 2023, the National Anti-Scam Centre, run by the ACCC, reported losses of over $26.5 Million from hacking and phishing scams alone, highlighting the importance of device security measures. To keep your digital wallet safe, it’s important to understand both the potential risks as well as the available features designed to protect your money. Read more in this week's blog: https://lnkd.in/gctbJBSZ

When cash was king Beyond directly trying to steal your mobile devices, which, at present, due to the high resale value of a stolen mobile, increasingly users are having phones stolen on the street or, in the case of one of our customers, from the table they were eating at in a restaurant. We can add good manners to our list of ways to protect your mobile device in a restaurant or cafe. Keep your mobile out of sight in a pocket or bag; don't display it on the table or surf your social media while ignoring your companions. As promised, I have put together a blog on how to secure your mobile devices. They are now the primary device we use for financial transactions both on the Internet and on what's left of our high street. https://lnkd.in/eBDkiAh3 #mobiledevicesecurity #cyberawarenesstraining #cybersecurity

Cybercriminals are increasingly leveraging a technique known as "Ghost Tap" to exploit NFC technology and steal funds from stolen credit cards linked to mobile payment services like Google Pay and Apple Pay. This method involves relaying tap-to-pay data using a legitimate tool called NFCGate, which captures and transmits NFC traffic between devices. Attackers use this data to enable mules to make fraudulent purchases at physical stores, even if the cybercriminals are located in different countries. The Ghost Tap technique allows criminals to bypass anti-fraud systems, as transactions appear to originate from the same device, and can be executed while the device is in airplane mode, making detection more difficult. This tactic enables rapid scaling of attacks by using multiple mules at different locations within a short time frame, further complicating detection efforts. By exploiting this method, cybercriminals can perform large-scale cash-outs and even purchase gift cards at offline retailers, all while remaining anonymous. The rise of Ghost Tap presents significant challenges for financial institutions and retailers, as it operates under a cloak of anonymity and exploits vulnerabilities in modern communication networks. #cybersecurity #itsecurity #informationtechnology #awareness #nfc #payments #exploitation #creditcards #paymentapps #pos #techniques #data #mobile #transactions #purchase Image Courtesy: ThreatFabric

Have you considered the security risks associated with popular digital wallet apps such as #ApplePay, #GPay, or #PayPal? Do you use these wallets on a daily basis? It's crucial to be vigilant as vulnerabilities in these platforms could lead to unauthorized purchases. Make sure to verify the security measures with your card issuer. For further insights, delve into the informative #USENIX Sec. 2024 paper by Raja Hasnain Anwar: https://lnkd.in/eKxaZ-ub Additionally, watch the video presentation on this topic: https://lnkd.in/e4sDUAsj #securepayments #digitalpayments #paymentsolutions #paymentgateway #paymentprocessing #onlinepayments #ecommerce #fintech #merchantservices #pointofsale #creditcardprocessing #onlinepayment #mobilepayments #merchantaccount #easypayments #paymentgatewaysolutions #research #duokey #swisscom #apple #appleresearch #googleresearch #armasuisse #ncsc #ericsson #android #pentest #switzerland #kommandocyber #ios #android #nfc #cybersecurity #vulnerability #payment #payments #onlineshopping #contactlesspayments #pos #retail #cardpayments #securetransactions #possystems #digitalwallet #business #fastpayment #cashlesstransactions #merchants

🔐SmartPhone Security & Safety The 3 AM Alert That Shook Maria's World: 'A car purchase made using her bank app.' 😱 Maria's voice wavered as she revealed how her business account was drained via her smartphone. This was not a high-tech hack, but an outdated bank app and overlooked security measures.💔 Maria's tale isn't rare. Last month, three small business owners lost their digital lives due to unsecured smartphones.😓 💡A wake-up call: Your smartphone isn't merely a device - it's your digital life's vault. Banking, photos, business data, everything! Checkout these guidelines to help you keep your Smartphone Secure and Safe ! https://lnkd.in/gYs22Xae Remember, your phone is your life. Guard it fiercely.🛡️ #MobileSecurity #SmallBusiness #CyberSecurity #BusinessProtection

🔐SmartPhone Security & Safety The 3 AM Alert That Shook Maria's World: 'A car purchase made using her bank app.' 😱 Maria's voice wavered as she revealed how her business account was drained via her smartphone. This was not a high-tech hack, but an outdated bank app and overlooked security measures.💔 Maria's tale isn't rare. Last month, three small business owners lost their digital lives due to unsecured smartphones.😓 💡A wake-up call: Your smartphone isn't merely a device - it's your digital life's vault. Banking, photos, business data, everything! Checkout these guidelines to help you keep your Smartphone Secure and Safe ! https://lnkd.in/gNv33g-5 Remember, your phone is your life. Guard it fiercely.🛡️ #MobileSecurity #SmallBusiness #CyberSecurity #BusinessProtection

💳 Are digital wallets safer than debit cards? Young people favor digital wallets due to their perceived security, said Sean Gelles, senior director of payments intelligence at J.D. Power. Since digital wallets are smartphone apps, they keep card numbers and PINs hidden, leading shoppers to perceive that they are more secure. But are they truly safer in practice? Learn more from Payments Dive: https://hubs.la/Q02DTQHN0 #Cybersecurity #CreditCard #DigitalWallet #DebitCard #Payments #FinancialSafety

Your smartphone is no longer just a communication device; it’s a portal to your entire digital life, from banking apps to social media accounts. While convenient, this setup comes with a myriad of cybersecurity risks, making it essential to secure your digital space and protect your identity. Thankfully, many smartphones today are equipped with advanced biometric technology, which uses one’s unique biological characteristics for authentication. Let’s explore how your device’s fingerprint scanner, facial recognition, and other features can significantly enhance your online security. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/di_ZhjAv

A personal lesson in personal security, though embarrassing, serves as a valuable lesson for everyone to learn from. 🔒 Security isn’t just a tech issue—it’s personal. Recently, I faced a reality check many of us dread. My card was compromised and used for unauthorized online purchases. I have an idea of how or when it happened, but here’s what I do know: I’ve always been diligent with security. I use Apple Pay almost exclusively because of its built-in two-factor authentication (2FA) and convenience. Whether tapping my watch/phone in-store or choosing Apple Pay online, it feels to me like the gold standard for payment security. But there was a gap. A moment when I allowed a physical card to be used. I suspect a man-in-the-middle attack while helping my son with a purchase. That’s all it took. The Solution That Changed Everything Enter Privacy.com, recommended by the ever-reliable Shloimy Levinger Privacy.com generates unique virtual card numbers for every merchant. Their Safari extension integrates seamlessly into my phone, making online purchases secure and effortless. Here’s why I’m sold: ✅ Siloed merchants: Each merchant gets a unique virtual card, so breaches don’t cascade. ✅ Apple’s Hide My Email + Privacy Cards: A powerhouse combo for protecting my personal info. This way each merchant get their own email address and card number. ✅ Easy management: Changing payment methods is now stress-free, if one card is breached, all I need to change is that merchants card. This experience reminded me: As tech leaders, we can’t afford to let security be someone else’s job—not in our organizations, and not in our personal lives. Takeaways for you: 1️⃣ Rely on tools like Apple Pay for 2FA where possible. 2️⃣ Protect your digital wallet with Privacy.com or similar solutions. 3️⃣ Assume no system is infallible—layers of security are critical. Let’s elevate the conversation: How do you protect yourself and your organization from vulnerabilities? Share your tips below ⬇️. This post isn’t just a story—it’s a reminder that innovation meets responsibility. Let’s lead by example. #CyberSecurity #CIOInsights #Innovation #PrivacyMatters

Team AppSealing is obsessed with their phones too! The other day someone said, “I don't have a phone addiction. My apps just need constant attention.” That is the extent of importance of mobile phones today. We need it for socialising, online shopping, entertainment, banking, work as well. Did you know, worldwide, people spend an average of 4 hours per day glued onto their mobile phone screens? While these facts might seem very normal, what we are yet to explore is the risk and exposure this brings us to. Mobile phones are considered the weakest link when it comes to cyber security. This is mainly because businesses that provide services through mobile applications are yet to make security a part of their DevOps processes. Security always seems to be last on their priority list. Cyber security breaches through mobile applications are not new. As a flag bearer for Mobile application security, AppSealing encourages users to question businesses and service providers about the application security they provide and ask - Are your mobile apps safe? #CyberSecurity #AppSealing #OnlineSecurity #CyberAttacks #MobileAppSec #ApplicationSecurity #banks #SmallFinanceBanks #PrivateBanks #PSU #banking #Bank