Effectively Identifying Secure Websites
Internet has been an integral part of most American homes. More than ¾ of the total population of United States is using it. It is commonly used for research, business, communication, etc. However, for hackers and identity thieves, it’s a place for great opportunities.
Secure website employs systematic procedure of encryption in transferring information through the internet. A lot of existing websites are not secure but still being used by online users in transmitting confidential information.
Every internet user want to be safe online however, more than half of them are not aware on how to protect themselves from illegal online activities, making them easy targets for hackers and identity theft. The first step to take in order to protect the computer from viruses and spyware is knowing how to identify secure websites from those who are not.
Here are some tips in identifying secure websites:
1. Confirm the web address – Be sure to check the Universal research locator or URL. A secure website starts with “https://”. Websites that are not safe usually start with just “http://”. Note that the only difference is the “s”.
2. Check with 4giantexplorer.com – It is the largest directory for secure websites. 4giantexplorer.com is a great help for new users. It contain complete lists of secure websites by category (ex. auto, business, computers, finance, relationship, weight loss, etc.)
3. Look for the padlock – A secure website has a locked yellow padlock at the lower right corner of the screen also known as status bar.
4. Read internet warnings carefully – usually, before opening a website, there is a message in a small window informing the user that the website may not be sure. Most users who are very concern with internet security do not proceed to keep their computers safe.
5. Be careful with hyperlinks – instead of clicking them, type hyperlinks in the address bar. Some malicious internet users have the ability to create link that appears secure to deceive other users.
6. SSL secured Web Sites – Websites that are secured by SSL are safe. They begin with “https” and contain locked padlock icon. SSL was developed by Netscape that stands for Secure Sockets layer. It was introduced in 1994 and has since become a requirement for e-commerce. It provides dependable connection between the server and its clients through encryption. It basically prevents hackers from stealing client’s information. Especially designed for transactions involving purchase or credit card information (ex. Paypal and E-bay).
Visiting non-secure websites is the primary reason why computers get infected with virus. However, totally ignoring these sites is close to impossible. To increase level of security, it is advisable to install Virus protection (ex. McAfee Online Virus Protection, Norton, etc.), Firewall, and anti-spyware software. These can help the computer combat known viruses and spyware commonly found in the internet. Pop up blocker may also help. Also, as a general rule, sensitive information should not be given online unless the website is secure.
Knowing how to identify secure websites is one step closer to online security. Intenet users must understand the possible risks they are taking in visiting non-secure websites, taking necessary precautions to secure their computer next to their personal information. The internet community is growing rapidly and just like in real world, it poses danger not only to an individual but also to the investment.
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