3D Secure is a security system which aims to protect online payments by bank card. It consists of authenticating the card holder when making a purchase on the internet, by asking them to enter a one-time use code , a notification on their banking application, or another biometric identification . The aim is to reduce the risk of fraud by verifying that it is the card holder who is making the payment.
But not all merchant sites offer 3D Secure. Some prefer not to use it, to simplify the purchasing process and avoid cart abandonment . Others are not equipped with the necessary protocol to implement it. So, how to pay online on sites without 3D Secure ? Is it safe?
What are the sites without 3D Secure?
There is no official list of sites without 3D Secure. You must therefore trust the logos displayed on the payment pages of merchant sites, or the instructions given by customer service. In general, sites without 3D Secure are those that use third-party payment services, such as PayPal, Google Pay, Apple Pay or MBWay. These services allow you to pay online without having to enter your bank details each time, using a previously created and secure account.
Examples of sites without 3D Secure include:
- AliExpress.com: the Chinese e-commerce giant offers several payment methods, including PayPal, which does not require 3D Secure.
- Apple.com: the Apple brand accepts payments through Apple Pay, which uses facial recognition or fingerprint to authenticate the customer.
- Namecheap.com: this site specializing in the sale of domain names and web hosting offers payment by Google Pay, which does not require 3D Secure.
- Payments.google.com: this site allows you to manage your Google Pay account and pay online with your smartphone or connected watch, without having to enter your banking information.
Is it safe to pay on sites without 3D Secure?
Paying on sites without 3D Secure is not necessarily less secure than paying on sites with 3D Secure. It all depends on the payment method chosen and the precautions taken by the customer. Indeed, third-party payment services like PayPal or Google Pay offer a high level of security, by encrypting banking data and offering guarantees in the event of a dispute. In addition, they allow you to avoid communicating your banking details to unknown or unreliable sites.
However, paying on sites without 3D Secure also carries risks. If the customer loses his smartphone or his password, he can have his account hacked and see his fraudulent transactions. If the merchant site is not serious or honest, it may not deliver the order or send a non-compliant product. If the customer is not careful, he or she can be tricked by phishing sites that imitate the appearance of third-party payment services to steal their credentials.
To pay online on sites without 3D Secure in complete security, you must follow a few rules:
- Choose a payment method adapted to your needs and your confidence in the merchant site.
- Create a secure account with a strong, unique password for each third-party payment service.
- Activate double authentication or biometrics to access your account or payment application.
- Check the reliability of the merchant site, by consulting customer reviews, legal notices, general conditions of sale, etc.
- Check the site address and the green padlock in the browser bar, which indicate that the connection is secure. If you encounter an error message such as “ Secure connection failed ”, do not persist and leave the site immediately.
- Never click on suspicious links or attachments, which may lead to fraudulent sites.
- Consult your bank statements regularly and report any abnormal transactions to your bank.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of paying on sites without 3D Secure?
Paying on sites without 3D Secure has advantages and disadvantages, which must be weighed before getting started.
Advantages are :
- Simplicity: payment is made in just a few clicks, without having to enter your banking information each time, or waiting for a code by SMS or a notification.
- Speed: the payment is validated instantly, without having to go through an additional authentication step, which can sometimes take time or fail.
- Practicality: payment can be made using different media, such as a smartphone, a tablet, a connected watch, etc., without needing a bank card.
The disadvantages are:
- The risk: payment may be less secure if the customer is not careful or if the merchant site is not reliable. You must therefore be vigilant and check the guarantees offered by the third-party payment service.
- Compatibility: payment may be impossible if the customer does not have an account or application compatible with the third-party payment service offered by the merchant site. You must therefore ensure that you have the appropriate payment method.
- Liability: Payment may be more difficult to dispute or refund if there is a problem. You must therefore carefully read the general conditions of the third-party payment service and know your rights.
Sites without 3D Secure
There are still sites that do not use 3D Secure for online payments by credit card. These are often foreign sites, which are not subject to the same regulations as French sites. For example, some Chinese sites like AliExpress.com do not offer 3D Secure. Other sites like Apple.com or Google.com use their own verification system, like Apple Pay or Google Pay.
But be careful, paying on a site without 3D Secure is not without risk. Indeed, if you are the victim of fraud or a dispute with the seller, you will not have the same protection as with 3D Secure. You will then need to contact your bank to request a refund, which may take time and be subject to conditions. In addition, you will have to trust the merchant site for the security of your banking data, which is not always guaranteed.
Alternatives to 3D Secure
If you do not want to use 3D Secure to pay online by credit card, you can opt for other simpler and more secure payment methods. Here are some examples :
- Payment by PayPal: PayPal is an online payment service that allows you to pay without providing your bank details to the seller. Simply create a PayPal account and associate your credit card or bank account with it. Then you can pay on sites that accept PayPal by simply entering your email address and password. PayPal offers purchase protection in case there is a problem with the seller.
- Payment by virtual card: a virtual card is an ephemeral, single-use bank card, which allows you to pay online without disclosing your real card number. You can generate a virtual card from your online customer area or your banking application, by choosing the amount and validity period. You then receive a card number, an expiration date and a visual cryptogram that you can use to pay on any site. The virtual card is debited from your real bank account.
- Payment by bank transfer: a bank transfer is a transfer of money between two bank accounts. It can be used to pay online on certain sites that offer this option. Simply enter the seller's bank details (IBAN and BIC) and the amount to pay from your online customer area or your banking application. The transfer is generally completed within 24 to 48 hours. Bank transfer is a secure method of payment, but it can be longer and more expensive than paying by credit card.
Conclusion
3D Secure is a system for securing online payments by bank card, which aims to authenticate the card holder during the transaction. It helps reduce the risk of fraud and protects merchants, banks and consumers. But it also has disadvantages: it can slow down the purchasing process, cause input errors or technical problems, or even dissuade certain customers who do not wish to communicate their personal data.
There are therefore sites which do not use 3D Secure for online payments by bank card. These are often foreign sites, which are not subject to the same regulations as French sites. But paying on a site without 3D Secure is not without risk. Indeed, if you are the victim of fraud or a dispute with the seller, you will not have the same protection as with 3D Secure. You will then need to contact your bank to request a refund, which may take time and be subject to conditions. In addition, you will have to trust the merchant site for the security of your banking data, which is not always guaranteed.
If you do not want to use 3D Secure to pay online by credit card, you can opt for other simpler and safer payment methods, such as payment by PayPal, payment by virtual card or payment by bank transfer . These alternatives allow you to pay without providing your bank details to the seller, and to benefit from protection in the event of a problem.
