Are Payment Links Secure? A Guide for Malaysian Businesses

Key Takeaway 

• Security Level: Payment links offer the same security standards as full e-commerce checkouts when issued by reputable providers.
• Protection Layers: Built on HTTPS encryption, PCI DSS compliance, tokenisation, 3D Secure authentication, and real-time fraud monitoring.
• Risk Control: Links can be restricted by expiry date, usage limits, and fixed amounts to prevent misuse.
• Regulatory Assurance: Choosing a provider regulated by Bank Negara Malaysia ensures compliance with local financial and security standards.
• Business Impact: Enables faster, more professional, and secure payment collection without handling sensitive customer data directly.

Table of Content

• What Exactly is a Payment Link?
• How Payment Links Keep Transactions Secure
• Common Security Concerns and the Reality
• Best Practices for Secure Online Payments
• Did You Know?
• Why Payment Links Make Sense for Malaysian Businesses
• Collect Payments with Confidence

If you run a business in Malaysia, you have probably considered using payment links to collect money from customers. They are fast, flexible, and require zero technical setup. But one question tends to hold business owners back: are they actually safe?

The short answer is yes. When generated through a reputable provider, payment link security meets the same rigorous standards as traditional e-commerce checkouts. This guide breaks down exactly how payment links protect your business and your customers, so you can collect payments with confidence.

What Exactly is a Payment Link?

A payment link used by businesses in Malaysia is simply a URL that directs customers to a secure checkout page. Instead of building an online store or integrating complex APIs, you generate a link, send it via WhatsApp, email, or SMS, and the customer pays instantly.

Think of it as a digital invoice that collects payment on the spot. It is particularly useful for service-based businesses, freelancers, and companies that invoice clients manually.

How Payment Links Keep Transactions Secure

The security behind a payment link for business use is built on multiple layers. Here is how each layer protects you and your customers:

1. TLS Encryption

Every legitimate payment link operates over HTTPS, meaning all data transmitted between the customer’s browser and the payment server is encrypted. This is the same technology that protects online banking.

2. PCI DSS Compliance

Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is a global security framework. When you use a PCI DSS-compliant provider like Razorpay Curlec, you benefit from infrastructure that meets strict international security requirements without having to manage it yourself.

3. Tokenisation

When a customer enters their card details, the information is converted into a random string of characters called a “token.” This token is useless to hackers because it cannot be reversed to reveal the original card number.

4. 3D Secure Authentication

For added protection, most Malaysian payment gateways support 3D Secure (also known as Verified by Visa or Mastercard SecureCode). This requires the customer to verify their identity through their bank before the transaction completes.

5. Fraud Monitoring

Modern gateways analyse transactions in real time. If a payment appears suspicious, such as multiple failed attempts or mismatched billing information, it can be automatically flagged or blocked.

Common Security Concerns and the Reality

Many business owners hesitate to adopt payment links because of misconceptions. Let us address the most common ones:

Concern	Reality
“Customers might not trust a link”	Branded payment pages with your logo and business name build familiarity. Customers see who they are paying.
“What if someone intercepts the link?”	The link itself contains no sensitive data. Payment details are only entered on the secure checkout page.
“I cannot control who uses the link”	You can restrict links to single use, set expiry dates, or limit them to specific amounts.
“Chargebacks and fraud will increase”	Fraud detection tools and 3D Secure actually reduce chargebacks compared to manual bank transfers with no verification.

Best Practices for Secure Online Payments

While your payment provider handles the heavy lifting, there are steps you can take to strengthen secure online payments for your business:

Use a Reputable Provider

Not all payment link services are created equal. Choose a provider that is PCI DSS certified and regulated by Bank Negara Malaysia. This ensures the company has passed rigorous security audits and operates under local regulatory oversight. Razorpay Curlec, for example, holds PCI DSS Level 1 certification, the highest level of compliance, and is a registered member of PayNet. These credentials mean your transactions are processed through an infrastructure that meets international banking standards.

Enable Link Expiry

Set your payment links to expire after 24 to 48 hours, or immediately after payment is received. This simple step prevents old links from being reused, forwarded, or accessed by unintended recipients. For high-value transactions, consider setting even shorter expiry windows to minimise risk.

Customise Your Payment Page

A branded checkout page reassures customers that they are paying the right business. Include your company logo, business name, and a clear description of what the payment is for. When customers recognise your branding, they are far less likely to abandon the transaction out of suspicion. This also helps distinguish your legitimate payment requests from phishing attempts.

Keep Records

Maintain a log of all payment links sent, including the customer name, amount, date, and purpose. This practice helps with monthly reconciliation and provides a clear paper trail if disputes or chargebacks arise. Most payment dashboards, including Razorpay Curlec’s, automatically track this information for you, but having your own internal records adds an extra layer of accountability.

Did You Know?

Payment gateway providers regulated by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) must meet strict security and operational standards. Razorpay Curlec, for example, is not only PCI DSS Level 1 certified but also a member of PayNet, Malaysia’s national payments network. This regulatory oversight means businesses using BNM-regulated providers benefit from infrastructure that meets some of the highest compliance standards in the region.

Why Payment Links Make Sense for Malaysian Businesses

Beyond security, payment links solve real operational problems:

• Faster collections: No more waiting for customers to “bank in” and send transfer slips.
• Lower admin work: Payments are automatically matched to invoices in your dashboard.
• Flexibility: Collect payments from anywhere, whether you are at a client site, a pop-up event, or working from home.
• Professional image: A clean, branded checkout looks more credible than sharing your personal bank account number.

For businesses already using payment links as part of their workflow, the security features work silently in the background, letting you focus on serving customers rather than worrying about fraud.

Collect Payments with Confidence

Security should never be a barrier to getting paid. With the right provider, payment link security is built into every transaction, from encryption to fraud detection to compliance. Malaysian businesses can accept secure online payments without building complex systems or handling sensitive data directly.

Power your business growth with Razorpay Curlec, Malaysia’s trusted payment gateway.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: How strong is payment link security for Malaysian businesses?
Payment link security in Malaysia is built on HTTPS encryption, PCI DSS compliance, tokenisation, and fraud monitoring, making it as secure as standard online checkout pages.

Q2: Are payment links legal and safe to use in Malaysia?
Yes, using a payment link in Malaysia is safe and legal when the provider is regulated by Bank Negara Malaysia and complies with local payment regulations.

Q3: How do payment links support secure online payments for customers?
Payment links enable secure online payments by encrypting data, using 3D Secure authentication, and ensuring card details are never shared with the business.

Q4: Can payment link security reduce fraud and chargebacks?
Yes, payment link security features like real-time fraud detection and 3D Secure verification help reduce unauthorised transactions and chargebacks.Q5: Is a payment link in Malaysia safer than bank transfers?
In many cases, yes. A payment link used by Malaysian businesses includes identity verification and transaction tracking, which bank transfers often lack.