Website Security

There are two general indications if a web page is secured correctly:

1. Check the web page addressbar (URL)

When browsing on the web, the URLs (web page addresses) normally starts with "http://". With a secure connection you will notice an extra 's' on the webpage https:// title. A website can only obtain the secure https url when secure sockets layer (SSL) certificate has been purchased. Refer to the images below for a more detailed description.

2. Check for the "PadLock" icon

There is a common standard among all web browsers to display a "padlock" icon somewhere on the window of the browser. For example, older versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer displays the lock icon in the lower-right of the browser window:

Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 and above displays the lock icon on the URL address bar above:

Mozilla's FireFox Web Browser displays the lock icon in the lower-left corner:

Apple Safari Web Browser displays the lock icon in the top right corner:

You can double click on a particular lock to obtain more information pertaining to the security of the site. This is important to know because some fraudulent web sites are built with a bar at the bottom of the web page to imitate the lock icon of your browser! Upon clicking the lock you will obtain information in regards to the website identity as well has technical details. Refer to the image below.