Security in Digital Payments: A systematic review of threats and protection mechanisms in digital payment platforms

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37431/conectividad.v7i2.510

Keywords:

Digital payments, Cybersecurity, Digital threats, Authentication, Systematic review

Abstract

The rapid expansion of digital payments has transformed the global economy, but it has also exposed users to increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. This systematic review aims to analyze a selection of articles related to security threats and protection mechanisms in digital payments. The PRISMA method was used for this purpose. The scientific databases used were ScienceDirect, Springer, and IEEE Xplore. Twenty-one articles were selected that met the inclusion criteria. The results indicate that phishing, credential theft, and fraud are the most latent and probable threats. On the other hand, multi-factor authentication, biometrics, artificial intelligence, and blockchain are the protection mechanisms most frequently mentioned in the reviewed articles. Finally, variables such as user trust, perceived security, usability, and institutional transparency, among others, are critical and relevant factors for the continued adoption of these technologies. The overall conclusion of the study is that the future of security in digital payments will be shaped by technological innovation and the institutional reputation of its providers.

References

Adeniji, F. P., Adewole, D. A., Bello, S., Ekirapa, E., Aweko, J., Kiberu, V. M., Opio, C., Waiswa, P., y Fawole, O. I. (2025). How prepared is Nigeria digital payment for health workers? A landscape analysis. BMC Health Services Research, 25(1), 200. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-12338-z

Ahmed, W., Rasool, A., Javed, A. R., Kumar, N., Gadekallu, T. R., Jalil, Z., y Kryvinska, N. (2021). Security in next generation mobile payment systems: A comprehensive survey. IEEE Access: Practical Innovations, Open Solutions, 9, 115932–115950. https://doi.org/10.1109/access.2021.3105450

Aisyah, M., Sesunan, Y. S., y Wicaksono, A. T. S. (2025). Customers’ trust in Islamic banking post-cyberattack leads to digital service breakdowns in Indonesia. Sustainable Futures (Amsterdam, Netherlands), 10(101530), 101530. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sftr.2025.101530

Aljaradat, A., y Shukla, S. (2026). Cybersecurity and trust formation in digital payment use behaviour in North India. Discover Sustainability, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-026-02769-x

Alsulami, A. A., Al-Haija, Q. A., Alturki, B., Yafoz, A., Alqahtani, A., Alsini, R., y Binyamin, S. S. (2025). Efficient malicious QR code detection system using an advanced deep learning approach. Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, 145(1), 1117–1140. https://doi.org/10.32604/cmes.2025.070745

Bojjagani, S., Seelam, N. R., Sharma, N. K., Uyyala, R., Akuri, S. R. C. M., y Maurya, A. K. (2023). The use of IoT-based wearable devices to ensure secure lightweight payments in FinTech applications. Journal of King Saud University - Computer and Information Sciences, 35(9), 101785. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jksuci.2023.101785

Cele, N.N., y Kwenda, S. (2025). Do cybersecurity threats and risks have an impact on the adoption of digital banking? A systematic literature review. Journal of Financial Crime, 32. https://doi.org/10.1108/jfc-10-2023-0263

Chauhan, Y., & Sharma, P. (2024). A systematic literature review of digital payments. Metamorphosis: A Journal of Management Research, 23(2), 173-187. https://doi.org/10.1177/09726225241257730

Daah, C., Qureshi, A., Awan, I., y Konur, S. (2024). Enhancing Zero Trust models in the financial industry through blockchain integration: A proposed framework. Electronics, 13(5), 865. https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13050865

Fachrian, M. A., Sukarno, P., y Wardana, A. A. (2024). Decentralize transaction records of digital payment gateway using Ethereum Blockchain and Interplanetary File System. Procedia Computer Science, 237, 269–276. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2024.05.105

Khando, K., Islam, M.S., y Gao, S. (2023). The emerging technologies of digital payments and associated challenges: A systematic literature review. Future Internet, 15(1), 21. https://doi.org/10.3390/fi15010021

Li, C., y Li, H. (2023). Disentangling facial recognition payment service usage behavior: A trust perspective. Telematics and Informatics, 77(101939), 101939. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tele.2023.101939

Li, S., y Jiang, G. (2025). Security and efficiency improvement of internet financial payment based on blockchain technology. Discover Computing, 28(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10791-025-09835-4

Liébana-Cabanillas, F., Abbasi, G. A., Higueras-Castillo, E., y Wagner, R. (2025). Press to pay: The power of biometrics in financial transactions investigated by PLS-SEM, fsQCA, and NCA. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 221(124365), 124365. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2025.124365

Liébana-Cabanillas, F., Irimia-Diéguez, A., Albort-Morant, G., y Zarco, C. (2026). Unlocking the future of paytech: exploring biometric payment card adoption patterns. Financial Innovation, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40854-025-00883-9

Ly, B., Ly, R., y Ma, S. (2025). User-centric drivers of QR payment adoption in emerging economies: trust, quality, and social influence. Future Business Journal, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s43093-025-00681-w

Mbuya, K. H., Chachage, B., y Pasape, L. (2025). The influence of security and reward on behavioral intention to adopt mobile payment: A comparative analysis of users versus non-users in Tanzania’s handicraft industry. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 12(102028), 102028. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2025.102028

McCabe, C., Mohideen, A. I. C., y Singh, R. (2024). A blockchain-based authentication mechanism for enhanced security. Sensors (Basel, Switzerland), 24(17), 5830. https://doi.org/10.3390/s24175830

Mohamed Salman, D., Mohamed Awad, M., y Soliman, C. (2026). An integrated analysis of technology adoption, demographic moderators, and financial inclusion across generations in Egypt. Future Business Journal, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s43093-026-00803-y

Ofosu-Ampong, K., Ansong, E., Akandekumtiim, J.-M., Asmah, A., Commey, N. O., Amankwaa, T., y Tsedzah, V. (2026). How AI-enabled security features shape payment security perceptions and trust in digital payment systems. Telematics and Informatics Reports, 21(100298), 100298. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.teler.2026.100298

Padma Kiran, K., y Vedala, N. S. (2025). Assessing Unified Payments Interface (UPI) adoption and usage through the interplay of UTAUT factors. Humanities & Social Sciences Communications, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-05313-w

Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., Shamseer, L., Tetzlaff, J. M., Akl, E. A., Brennan, S. E., Chou, R., Glanville, J., Grimshaw, J. M., Hróbjartsson, A., Lalu, M. M., Li, T., Loder, E. W., Mayo-Wilson, E., McDonald, S., … Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.), 372, n71. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71

Patil, S., Dudhankar, V., y Shukla, P. (2024). Enhancing digital security: How identity verification mitigates E-commerce fraud. Journal of Current Science and Research Review, 2(02), 69–81. https://jcsrr.org/index.php/jcsrr/article/view/73

Prawira, F. R., Prakoso, N. T., Handayani, P. W., y Harahap, N. C. (2024). The influence of information security factors on the continuance use of electronic wallet. Procedia Computer Science, 234, 1467–1475. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2024.03.147

PRISMA Statement. (s/f). PRISMA 2020 flow diagram. Recuperado el 14 de octubre de 2026, de https://www.prisma-statement.org/prisma-2020-flow-diagram

Puri, L., Kumar, A., y Singh, R. (2025). What drives or discourages fraud-safe behavior in digital transactions? a BRT perspective. Acta Psychologica, 260(105675), 105675. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2025.105675

Rojas Solís, S., Aguilera Zatarain, J. J., Rendón Rendón, M. D. E. L. A., y Escobedo Rodriguez, A. M. (2025). ANÁLISIS COMPARATIVO DE LOS MECANISMOS DE AUTENTICACIÓN DE USUARIOS PARA EL MANEJO SEGURO DEL DINERO DIGITAL. Revista Digital de Tecnologías Informáticas y Sistemas, 9(1), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.61530/redtis.vol9.n1.2025.269

Sahi, A.M., Khalid, H., Abbas, A.F., Zedan, K., Khatib, S.F.A., y Al Amosh, H. (2022). The research trend of security and privacy in digital payment. Informatics, 9(2), 32. https://doi.org/10.3390/informatics9020032

Sasongko, D. T., Handayani, P. W., y Satria, R. (2022). Analysis of factors affecting continuance the electronic money application in Indonesia. Procedia Computer Science, 197, 42–50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2021.12.116

Shaikh, D. M. Y. Z. (2024). Security Concerns in Digital Payments: An Overview. Educational Administration: Theory and Practice, 30(6), 4882–4889. https://doi.org/10.67145/kuey.v30i6.8680

Tran-Truong, P. T., Pham, M. Q., Son, H. X., Nguyen, D. L. T., Nguyen, M. B., Tran, K. L., Van, L. C. P., Le, K. T., Vo, K. H., Kim, N. N. T., Nguyen, T. M., y Nguyen, A. T. (2025). A systematic review of multi-factor authentication in digital payment systems: NIST standards alignment and industry implementation analysis. Journal of Systems Architecture, 162(103402), 103402. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sysarc.2025.103402

Ungratwar, S., Sharma, D., y Kumar, S. (2025). Mapping the digital banking landscape: a multi-dimensional exploration of fintech, digital payments, and e-wallets, with insights into current scenarios and future research. Humanities & Social Sciences Communications, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-05186-z

Waliullah, M., George, M.Z.H., Hasan, M.T., Alam, M.K., Munira, M.S.K., y Siddiqui, N.A. (2025). Assessing the influence of cybersecurity threats and risks on the adoption and growth of digital banking: A systematic literature review. American Journal of Advanced Technology and Engineering Solutions, 1(01), 226–257. https://arxiv.org/abs/2503.22710

Published

2026-10-20
Crossmark

How to Cite

Rivas Calderón, Z. V., Samana Ramírez, G. F. M. G., & Mendoza De Los Santos, A. C. (2026). Security in Digital Payments: A systematic review of threats and protection mechanisms in digital payment platforms. CONECTIVIDAD, 7(2), e510. https://doi.org/10.37431/conectividad.v7i2.510

Issue

Section

Scientific Articles and Review Articles

Categories

Most read articles by the same author(s)