Secure Web Browsing.

       Its essential to always know that your data is secure when you are browsing the Internet or inputting your details which may include userid, password, PIN, and answers to "secret question" on a website in order to access the site or carry out some transactions on the site. There are many clone or counterfeit websites on the Internet that the moment you put in your details they are automatically collected and saved away and this could result in your account being accessed by unauthorized persons or permanently hacked.

          Here are some simple things to look out for so that your credentials or details are not stolen when you are trying to access a website;

• The website address: carefully observe the web address that it starts with https, website addresses that begins with https uses Secure Socket Layer protocol SSL which help protect information as it is being transmitted over a network connection to a remote web server, this protect your details userid, password and other sensitive data as it passes through the network.

      For a web server that supports the SSL protocol the Internet address for the server will begin with

      https:// instead of http:// as indicated in the snapshot below.

　

A lock sign at the end of the address bar or at the right corner at the bottom of the web page indicates that your connection to the website is secure and your data cannot be intercepted because it as been encrypted. Encryption provides secure exchange of information between the website you are visiting and your web browser. When you send information to a website, it is encrypted at your computer and decrypted at the website and normally the details cannot be read or tampered with making it very difficult for unauthorized persons to view your information while it is being sent. It is therefore very unlikely that anyone reads the page as it travels across the network.

    You can click on this lock icon to view the identity of the website.      

  

Green colour of the address bar: when you visit a website that uses a secure connection the colour of the address bar changes to green gradually along the bar as the page is loading. This green colour indicates that the website has a valid certificate i.e EV certificates and also the level of validation that was performed by the certifying organization, (a certificate is used to identify the owner or company that owns a website). Extended Validation (EV) certificates turn the address bar green, and provide more in-depth validation of the identity of a website.

　

          Be sure to look out for these simple tips whenever you are trying to use your details especially sensitive information on a website!

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