 Image by purpleslog via Flickr
The Internet is a vast and wondrous entity in which an individual can find an endless supply of information and corresponding entertainment. However, while in fact the Internet has drastically changed the face of society of the past two decades for the better, there are some common pit-falls that people who are unfamiliar with the many dangers lurking around the corner in the online world fall into on a regular basis. The Internet, while extremely information rich, is an easy place for unethical entities to prey on unsuspecting users. Among one of the ways is to pose as an honest entity in order to obtain personal information for fraudulent use. Below is a list of ways to ensure a particular web page you might be entering your information in is legitimate and secure. Ensure the URL Address starts with “https” One way to ensure a particular web page is secure is to check for the “https” in the address bar as opposed to the “http”. While in fact the http protocol is perfectly fine for general use, the https is important for pages in which you are entering your personal information because it indicates the information will be encrypted during the transfer process. Look for a Little Lock Icon Look for an icon that resembles a small pad lock in the lower right hand corner of your browser window. This icon is an indication that the page is legitimately secure for your information input. Check for Click-able Icons Check to ensure the icons on the bottom of the page indicating the page is secure are click-able and therefore legitimate.  |