If you have been keeping up with the news, you have probably heard about the latest technological advancement in payment methods – Google Wallet.

Google Wallet has taken on the responsibility of replacing the traditional wallet with a virtual one. The point of Google Wallet is to provide users with a digital wallet on their smart phones which stores all of their credit cards.

Additionally, users can purchase and store Google Prepaid Cards on their phone. Google Wallet allows shoppers to pay for their merchandise by tapping their smart phone against PayPass terminals at the checkout.

Although it seems extremely convenient, many people are worried about the security of Google Wallet. What if someone loses their phone? Can the application be wirelessly hacked? How secure is Google Wallet compared to credit cards?

Google has assured users that there are multiple layers of security protecting each device. At a basic level, the application requires a four digit secret pin to be entered before purchases can be made.

The pin code security is basically the equivalent to that of a debit or ATM card. However, there is one significant difference. Google Wallet’s pin is digital, so if the phone is lost or stolen, a hacker could potentially crack the code.

On the application’s website, Google encourages users to cancel their credit cards if the phone is stolen or lost, just as you would with a real wallet. Most credit card companies do not require cardholders to pay for unauthorized purchases, especially if the company is notified as soon as possible.

It is also important to note that four digit numerical pins do not take very long to crack. Users should be sure to avoid obvious or easy-to-guess pins, such as “1234″, “0000″, “2580″, or pins that have the same number for every digit.

The primary security feature that Google Wallet uses is a computer chip called the “Secure Element”. All purchases made on the device are encrypted and stored on the chip, which is separate from the phone’s memory.

Another popular concern is the possibility of a virus or malicious application that could access the Secure Element. Google has assured the public that only trusted programs are able to access the information stored on the chip. Security software is stored on the PayPass terminals as well.

In addition to using PayPass terminals, Google Wallet can also be used for making online purchases. When users go to the checkout, they can choose Google Wallet as their method of payment.

Users will then be prompted to sign into Google Wallet using their username and password. Not all websites allow shoppers to be with Google Wallet, so always check for an image or button that says “Google Buy” or “Google Checkout”.

Although Google Wallet is not a payment option on every website, the number of websites that support this feature will increase as the application gets more popular. In the next couple of years, users will be able to order pizza and pay bills using Google Wallet.