When was the last time you thought about checking the online security status of a preferred online shop or service? It’s probably not often —and that’s because in today’s connected world most of us take online security for granted. Online threats are not limited to large corporations or brands—anyone can become a victim. For this reason, it’s important to know what to look for to ensure a safe online shopping experience.
Check website security when online shopping
Identifying the security features of a website can be difficult unless you know what to look for. Firstly, you should always look for an SSL Certification, which you can verify in a few ways:
Check that beginning of the site’s URL to see that it contains ‘S’ in addition to the ‘http://’. Look for visual cues indicating security, such as a lock symbol and green colour in the address bar.Before entering a credit card payment or any confidential information make sure that the website in your browser address bar turns green or begins with HTTPS and not HTTP. This is an indicator that your session is secure and that the site is using encryption to protect your personal data. This protocol is known as SSL—Secure Socket Layer—encryption and it protects online transactions by keeping data in transit confidential through encryption. In other words, your information is not visible to hackers.
Top 5 tips to Stay Secure
Time is of the essence on Black Friday and purchasing the best deals can happen in the blink of an eye. While you’re shopping on a website, some security features may not be present but there are other ways to help you stay secure online. Here’s our top 5: Shopping online is easy and convenient, provided that you’re vigilant about online security. If you are unsure if a retailer or site is reputable, do a quick online search for reviews or indications that it may not be trustworthy. If you don’t see any of the above-mentioned security features on a website, always play it safe and shop elsewhere. Keep these tips and suggestions in mind as you embark on your online deal hunting and know your information is safe from threats. Stay up to date on the latest security innovations so you can feel good about the safety of your devices and always use trusted online protection to help you protect your digital world.
