WI-FI SAFETY – A MUST FOR A WIRELESS MERCHANT ACCOUNT

About Wi-Fi        

Wi-Fi refers to Wireless Local Area Networking. Any device that has been fitted with a wireless adapter can be connected to the Internet without the use of any cable. This is possible provided the device is within the coverage of a wireless network connected to the Internet. Using this same feature, connections between different Wi-Fi enabled devices can also be achieved.

As usual, the parasites in our society have found ways and means to misuse yet another useful creation. These people, using their own Wi-Fi enabled computer or laptop, can not only connect to the Internet using a wireless network but also hack into the other devices connected to the same wireless network. They can then have access to even private information available in the devices.

Wireless Merchant Account & Wi-Fi

Any wireless connection requires tapping into Wi-Fi networks. Wireless merchant accounts rely on such Wi-Fi networks in order to process credit card transactions, without cables, on the move or simply away from the cash register/cashier machine.

Many restaurants and retail merchants sign up for wireless merchant accounts. This allows them to provide more professional service to their customers.  Customers can pay with their credit cards and sign on the spot using the hand-held terminals. Even the orders can be taken with these devices, making the process of running the business smooth and so much easier.

These hand held terminals are connected to multiple other devices in the retail outlet or restaurant used in the processing, recording and printing of the credit card transactions via Wi-Fi networks.
As mentioned earlier, the unfortunate truth here is that people can hack into the merchant’s devices and obtain credit card details of your customers. They can also gain access to any other confidential information stored in your devices.

What Can You Do To Ensure Wi-Fi Safety?

You have a responsibility towards your customers to ensure that their credit card details are safe when they do business with you. There are solutions available in the market to help you do just this.

Besides protecting your network with password, you need to add on additional layers of security to ensure non-authorized devices cannot access the network to capture credit card information from your credit card processing devices.

As a merchant dealing with wireless credit card processing, you have to ensure that the Wi-Fi is suitably secured using vigorous encryption and authentication methods. These methods are constantly upgraded to provide you with the best protection.

One of the latest solutions available is the Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2). It utilizes some of the latest authentication and encryption protocols. Hence, you can be assured that the customers’ payment data is safe. 

While these issues may seem a bit technical, Wi-Fi safety is not something you can compromise on. Search online for available solutions. Contact the providers of those solutions and query about them so that you have a better understanding of them. Contact other merchants using wireless credit card processing solutions. Enquire about the Wi-Fi safety solutions preferred by them. You can also get recommendations on providers from them.

Refer to the following website for one of such solutions:
http://www.iaam.org/vss/pages/2008_spring/retailconcessions.htm