Online forms have been a part of our lives since the early days of the Internet era. As our online activity increases, so does the amount of personal data that’s being transferred and collected. Today, 86% of people fill out at least one web form per week. While convenient and necessary to conduct business and gain access to otherwise guarded datasets, online forms can be a serious security hazard.
On the Hook
Because of the commonality and revealing nature of online forms, for decades they have functioned as the preferred medium for launching phishing attacks, which grew by 65% last year. Posing as authorized agents, malicious actors send targeted emails, text messages and even make phone calls to unsuspecting individuals in an effort to gain access to their sensitive data, such as a password or credit card number. This can lead to identity theft and serious monetary losses. An example of a recent phishing attack involved Google’s email service Gmail, targeting close to one billion worldwide users. This was deceptive even for experienced users:
In a Fog
Some online forms can be lengthy and murky, exposing you to unknown risk. While you may think you’re making progress, you could be revealing more than you need to. And once you click the ‘send’ button, you have no way of knowing who is looking at your data, where it goes and how secure it is. Things get risker with autofill. Wrong data may end up populating the fields, some of which could be hidden and intentionally planted by scammers.
Paradigm Shift
To solve a problem that is likely to get worse, we don’t need more online forms but a shift in thinking. To help make user privacy a non-issue and eliminate the widespread redundancy of completing web forms, XcooBee created a one-click form that is secure, streamlined and simple.
Much like PayPal, the XcooBee platform requires businesses who seek to obtain user data to be validated and properly registered. Once verified, those businesses can add a button on their webforms that draws user data into their database via a secure, encrypted backend, removing risks associated with the interception of in-transit data.
With XcooBee, users are in control of where their data travels, how much of it is shared, who has it and for how long. They are also empowered to withdraw their consent at any moment. This is a an example of a XcooBee enhanced online form. To make user transition easier the only visible change is the addition of a XcooBee button.
By clicking on the XcooBee button, a XcooBee privacy and consent popup will let users know the kind of data that’s requested and for what purpose.
The XcooBee consent pop-up can work independent of online forms allowing for many non form related uses as well.
Users and companies can, then, track the use of data through the XcooBee Consent Center.
Be the Change
To maximize your privacy and save time spent filling out lengthy online forms, check out XcooBee. It is fast, safe and guarantees compliance with the soon-to-be-standard strict GDPR privacy regulations. Furthermore, you will be protected from phishing attacks and able to easily manage your privacy consent from one place. Sounds good? We believe it is. Step into the future and create an account today. It may be one of the last forms you’ll need to fill out.
