Before you share any information online, it’s important to make sure your communication with the website is secure. Fortunately, there are two quick checks to help you be certain:
- Look at the uniform resource locator (URL) of the website. A secure URL should begin with “https” rather than “http.” The “s” in “https” stands for secure, which indicates that the site is using a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Certificate. This lets you know that all your communication and data is encrypted as it passes from your browser to the website’s server.
- Look for a lock icon near your browser’s location field. The lock symbol and related URL containing “https” simply mean that the connection between your web browser and the website server is encrypted, which is important. It prevents others from eavesdropping or intercepting your communication between your browser and the website’s server. But don’t be fooled into thinking the website you’re going to is secure—it may not be.
Remember to look for “https” and the lock icon. If you don’t see those two indicators, your communication to the website is not secure. For more security tips, visit the UW–Madison Office of Cybersecurity website.
Is it secure and legit?
While making sure the sites you visit are secure is important, you should also always be sure that a site is legitimate before entering a username, password or any other personal information. Paying close attention to the site’s URL in your browser’s location field, for example, can help you be certain that you’re on a legitimate site rather than a look-alike impostor.
I bring forth a wealth of expertise in the realm of online security and digital communication, having delved extensively into the intricacies of secure web browsing and information validation. My insights are grounded in a comprehensive understanding of encryption protocols, cybersecurity measures, and the nuanced dynamics of online interactions.
In the article posted by DoIT News on February 10, 2022, the emphasis is on ensuring the security and legitimacy of websites before sharing any information online. I'd like to break down the concepts discussed in the article:
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HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure):
- A secure URL begins with "https" rather than "http."
- The "s" in "https" denotes security and signifies the use of a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Certificate.
- SSL ensures that all communication and data exchanged between the browser and the website's server are encrypted, safeguarding it from potential eavesdropping or interception.
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Lock Icon:
- The presence of a lock icon near the browser's location field is a crucial indicator of a secure connection.
- The lock symbol, combined with a URL starting with "https," signifies that the communication between the web browser and the website server is encrypted, further fortifying the security of the interaction.
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Legitimacy Check:
- While secure connections are vital, ensuring the legitimacy of a website is equally crucial.
- Users are advised to scrutinize the site's URL in the browser's location field to distinguish between legitimate sites and potential impostors.
- Paying attention to details such as the correct URL helps prevent entering sensitive information on fraudulent or look-alike websites.
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User Vigilance:
- Users are reminded to remain vigilant and not be solely reliant on visual indicators like "https" and the lock icon.
- A secure connection does not guarantee the overall legitimacy of a website, so users are encouraged to exercise caution and verify the authenticity of the site before entering personal information.
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Additional Resources:
- The article directs readers to the UW–Madison Office of Cybersecurity website for more security tips, highlighting the importance of ongoing education and awareness in the rapidly evolving landscape of online threats.
In conclusion, the provided information underscores the significance of a multi-faceted approach to online security, encompassing both the technical aspects of secure communication protocols and user-driven practices for verifying website legitimacy. This amalgamation of knowledge ensures a more robust defense against potential cyber threats and emphasizes the shared responsibility of users in maintaining a secure online environment.
FAQs
Simply being able to recognize a safe website can go a long way to help protect your personal data. A legitimate trust seal, “https,” a privacy policy, and contact information are all good signs that a website is safe!
How can you tell if a communication to a website is secure? ›
Look for a lock icon near your browser's location field.
Remember to look for “https” and the lock icon. If you don't see those two indicators, your communication to the website is not secure.
What are two ways that you know the website is secure? ›
A secure website's URL should begin with “https” rather than “http”. The “s” at the end of “http” stands for secure and is using an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) connection. Your information will be encrypted before being sent to a server.
What are two signs that indicate you are on a secure website? ›
There are two primary indicators of an SSL, and both are clearly visible in the site's URL:
- An 's' after the 'http'
- A padlock icon.
How to check if a website is safe: an 11-step guide
- Know what happens if you visit an unsafe website. ...
- Look for an SSL certificate. ...
- Use a website checker. ...
- Find the site's privacy policy. ...
- Make sure the site is real. ...
- Read reviews of the site. ...
- Search for contact information. ...
- Keep an eye out for spelling errors and design problems.
When a site may be unsafe, Chrome changes the icon next to the site address.
- In Chrome, open a web page.
- To check a site's security, to the left of the web address, check the security status symbol: Default (Secure) Info or Not secure. ...
- To find a summary of the site's privacy details and permissions, click the icon.
Here's how to check if a website is safe:
- Use a website safety checker. ...
- Use your browser's safety tools. ...
- Double-check URLs. ...
- Check for HTTPS. ...
- Look for a privacy policy. ...
- Don't blindly trust “trust” badges. ...
- Learn the obvious signs that a site is fake. ...
- Use “whois” to look up the domain owner.
How to check if a website is legit
- Study the address bar and URL.
- Investigate the SSL certificate.
- Check the website for poor grammar or spelling.
- Verify the domain.
- Check the contact page.
- Look up and review the company's social media presence.
- Check for the website's privacy policy.
Look for the Padlock
When using a reliable search engine, you can check whether a website is secure by clicking the padlock on the left-hand side of the URL bar which brings up information about the security certificate of the website. If you see a closed padlock, it means the website is safe to use.
How to tell if a website is credible? ›
Consider these helpful tips the next time you need to evaluate a website's credibility and safety.
- Check the domain name. One of the fastest ways to tell if a website is credible is by checking its domain name. ...
- Look at the sources. ...
- Check out the contact page. ...
- Evaluate the website's design. ...
- Check your security connection.
Check the SSL certificate
A secure URL always begins with “HTTPS” at the start instead of “HTTP”. The extra “S” in “HTTPS” stands for “secure”, which means that the website is using a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Certificate.
Which of these indicates a website is secure? ›
If HTTPS sounds familiar, it should – many website URLs begin with “https” instead of just “http” to indicate that they are encrypted. This security is provided by an SSL certificate, which stands for Secure Sockets Layer certificate.
What are the symbols for a secure website? ›
When you go to a site that has a padlock icon next to the site name, it means the site is secured with a digital certificate.
How to ensure website security? ›
8 Simple Ways to Improve Your Website Security
- Keep Software Updated. ...
- Encrypt Your Data. ...
- Implement Strong Passwords. ...
- Regular Backups on a Secure Server. ...
- Scan your Website for Vulnerabilities. ...
- Keep your Website Clean and Limit User Access. ...
- Enable Web Application Firewall (WAF) ...
- Hire a Security Expert.
A website is not secure when it doesn't have adequate protection against cyberthreats, such as data theft, hacking, and malware infections. The lack of encryption, outdated software, or vulnerabilities in the code puts you and your site visitors at risk.
How to secure your website HTTPS? ›
To use HTTPS with your domain name, you need a SSL or TLS certificate installed on your website. Your web host (Web Hosting Provider) may offer HTTPS security or you can request a SSL/TLS certificate from Certificate Authorities and install it yourself.
What indicates a secure website connection? ›
Check the SSL certificate
A secure URL always begins with “HTTPS” at the start instead of “HTTP”. The extra “S” in “HTTPS” stands for “secure”, which means that the website is using a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Certificate.
What is the symbol for a secure website? ›
When you go to a site that has a padlock icon next to the site name, it means the site is secured with a digital certificate. This means that any information sent between your browser and the website is sent securely, and can't be intercepted and read by someone else while the information is in transit.
What determines how to connect to websites over a secure connection? ›
Check now.
- On your Android device, open Chrome .
- At the top right, tap More Settings. Privacy and security.
- Under “Security,” turn on Always use secure connections.
HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) is a protocol that encrypts the communication between a web browser and a website, providing a secure connection. It ensures that the data transmitted between the user and the website cannot be intercepted or tampered with by unauthorized parties.
