Retail POS Security Tips to Avoid Data Breach Through Point of Sale System
                     RETAIL POS SECURITY TIPS 
TO AVOID DATA BREACH 
THROUGH POINT OF SALE 
SYSTEM
In recent years, the retail and hospitality industries have 
been rocked with data breaches with point of sale 
malware becoming increasingly common.
Among several POS hardware available in-store, 
digital cash registers are often the most common 
target of malware designed by hackers to steal 
important data like credit card information.
While many merchants take great care and make sure 
their payment processors are PCI compliant, not 
many security measures are taken into consideration 
with the point of sale systems. And it has been noted 
that major data breaches have cropped up through 
the company’s point of sale system. 
Writing off fraud losses is no big deal for retail giants as they 
are mostly capable to endure the financial consequence of a 
cyber security breach. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said 
for small businesses. Security experts, however, encourage 
retailers to adopt several approaches to defend their business 
against point-of-sale related intrusions.
Here are a few to consider.
Use Strong Password and Change it Frequently
Most retailers do not secure their passwords to their software which 
later leaves them in danger. It goes without saying that a point of 
sale system stores sensitive and important customer information 
and creating a weak password, using the default password since the 
initial setup of the POS system or not using a password at all make 
your business vulnerable to risk or data breaches. 
That said, using complex, computer-generated passwords 
and unique account names are highly recommended. 
Also, consider changing passwords on a regular basis to 
make it difficult for hackers to get into your system.
Do Not Use POS System for Non-
Work Purposes 
At times, when employees use the point of sale 
system for non-work applications, they unknowingly 
download malware on the system or make the 
available programs susceptible to cyber-attacks.
Activities like downloading games, especially on a 
tablet POS or browsing the internet can jeopardise 
the security of your POS system.
Also, sometimes retailers fail to utilise in address verification 
software that detects the presence of memory-scraping malware 
in your point of sale system. To prevent this from happening, ask 
your POS provider to set you up with appropriate software and 
make sure to install an authentic one. 
Additionally, regularly scanning your POS system will help 
determine the condition of your system and you can 
easily find out if your system has been compromised or 
are vulnerable to intrusion.
Avoid Keeping Your POS on an Open 
Network
The worst you can do to become a target for data 
breach is keeping your POS on the same network 
as non-essential hardware.
Separating the network is necessary mainly because any POS 
terminal with an IP address and a connection to a business’s 
network will be susceptible to cyber-attacks if all the other 
equipment are in the same network. This also goes with any 
standalone POS terminal that shares their connection with 
business networks and links directly to the internet.
That said, to prevent data breach, avoid keeping your POS 
network on an open network as it makes it easy for 
hackers to gain access from your business data. 
Besides, as mentioned in the previous points, by 
creating a strong password for your network, you can 
prevent attacks through your point of sale system.
SAVE YOURSELF AND DO NOT FALL 
VICTIM TO A DATA SECURITY BREACH
With perpetrators coming up with new hacking ideas 
every day, businesses must be vigilant when it comes to 
protecting their POS system.
Also, it is better to always invest in compatible software to 
reduce operation inefficiencies and buy POS bundles from 
reputed suppliers to avoid the hassle of spending money 
separately on different equipment. From Vend to Shopify 
and Kounta POS bundle, you will get several solutions like 
performance, availability and security that makes the POS 
system and within information protected.
Lastly, keep your software updated for important 
security patches as failing to do so can expose your POS 
system to malware and other related cyber attacks that 
could put all your saved data at risk.
CONTACT US
By Post: Suite 610/12 Century
Circuit Baulkham Hills, NSW 2153
By Phone: 1300 026 062
By Email: [email protected]
Website: https://possales.com.au