If you ever make purchases online, you must know how to quickly determine if the website you are about to buy from is secure.

A secure connection is an encrypted exchange of information between the website you visit and the browser you use. Data Encryption is simply the conversion of the information you type in (your name, address, and credit card number) into a scrambled format that only the receiving website can decipher.

Encryption is done through a document the website provides called a website, or SSL/TS certificate. To prevent hackers from intervening and stealing your credit card information, the information is encrypted at your computer and decrypted at the website where the information is being entered.

So how do you know if a site has a certificate and a secure connection?

There are two things to look for. First, look for a tiny padlock on the webpage you’re visiting. Most web browsers have a padlock icon feature, though the specific location and design of the icon varies.

A LOCKED padlock indicates:

  1.  You are connected to the website whose address is shown in the address bar; the connection has not been intercepted.
  2. The connection between the browser and the website is encrypted to prevent eavesdropping.

The padlock is a simple visual queue to the end user that submitting sensitive information is safe.

Next, look at the actual URL. It should begin with “https” instead of the standard ” https”, as the “S” stands for “Secure”.

If you are on a website and you see these two things, the site will have an SSL/TLS certificate.

If you ever get a warning about a problem with the website’s certificate, place your order by phone rather than through their website.

Ps.

Don’t just check these two things when you are the one browsing the internet. Make sure your own website reflects the same level of care. 

Consumers expect their information to be protected when they browse online for products and services: displaying SSL certification symbols indicates that your enterprise is concerned about identity theft and online security—which is essential for building trust with your tribe.

Need help securing your domain or website? Contact us today. We can walk you through the necessary steps.