With our love for online shopping comes increasing online dangers. In fact, 79% of U.S. consumers say they shop online more often than they did before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there are also some risks and challenges, especially when it comes to paying by credit card.
How do I know if a website is trustworthy and safe for online payments? What does it mean if a website’s web address contains HTTP or HTTPS? Online security and privacy What impact does it have?
We will answer these questions. First, let’s answer a question from Margaret from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
“Does https mean the site can accept credit cards and http means it’s OK for sites that don’t?” –Margaret Jane, Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Margaret Jane asks a great question. Let’s take a look at the difference between “HTTP” and “HTTPS” and whether it matters when paying with a credit card online.
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What is the difference between “HTTP” and “HTTPS”?
The difference between HTTP and HTTPS is that HTTPS uses SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificates to encrypt all data transfers, whereas HTTP is not secured with SSL certificates and is much more open. That’s it. hacker stealing confidential information;
HTTPS, Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure in Internet security jargon, works similarly to HTTP except that it secures the communication between a web server and browser during the transfer of data. Websites that start with HTTP do not have this same layer of protection.
It’s all about the letter “S”
In the simplest terms, imagine sending a letter to a friend through the mail. HTTP is like sending a letter in a regular envelope. This is not very secure and anyone who intercepts the letter can open it and read the message.
HTTPS is like sending a letter in a locked envelope. This is very secure and only you and the recipient can open it and read the message.
Why is HTTPS more secure than HTTP?
HTTPS is more secure than HTTP because it uses SSL certificates to encrypt data transferred between the web server and browser. This means that anyone who attempts to intercept or tamper with your data cannot read or change it.
How HTTPS uses SSL certificates to protect your data
Read more: Don’t fall for this new banking scam
SSL certificates also verify a website’s identity, so you can be sure you’re dealing with a legitimate site and not a fake one. An SSL certificate is a digital document that contains information about your website, such as its domain name, owner, and expiration date.
There are also public and private keys used to encrypt and decrypt data. The public key is shared with all users who wish to communicate with his website, but the private key is kept secret by the owner of her website.
How browsers validate and encrypt data with HTTPS
When you visit a website that uses HTTPS, your browser checks the SSL certificate to ensure that it is valid and matches the website’s domain name.
If all is well, your browser will establish a secure connection with the website and exchange encryption keys.
All data sent and received is then encrypted using these keys.
How to identify HTTPS websites in your browser
You can tell if a website is using HTTPS by looking at the web address in your browser.
Read more: How this Safe Browsing feature uses AI to stay ahead of scammers
If it starts with https:// means the website is safe.
You may also see a padlock icon or green bar next to the web address. This indicates that your website has a valid SSL certificate.
Why you should avoid paying with credit cards on HTTP websites
Whether a site accepts credit cards is independent of whether it uses HTTP or HTTPS. However, if your site accepts credit cards, it’s important to use HTTP.S To protect sensitive information transmitted to you.
If you’re using a website that uses HTTP and it tells you to pay for something with a credit card, you should probably avoid it.
The website is Phishing page Or, if you get infected with some type of malware, your credit card information will be given to hackers who can do whatever they want with that information.
woman working on a computer (Cyberguy.com)
Read more: Save the bacon: The rise of pig butchering scams and how to avoid them
What you can do to protect yourself from keylogging attacks
There are several precautions you can take to avoid becoming the next victim of a keylogging attack.
Install good antivirus software on all your devices
Preventing hackers from gaining access to your device is often preventable if you take the right precautions. antivirus protection installed On all your devices.have antivirus software It helps ensure you don’t click on known malicious links, attachments, or images that could install malware on your device and allow hackers to access your personal information.
Learn more: How browsers expose you to security risks
Use a password manager
Keyloggers can’t record anything you don’t type. password manager Login credentials are automatically filled in for you, saving you the hassle of typing them. You should also use strong, unique passwords for each account and change them frequently.
Keep your software and apps up to date
Update your operating system, browser, and antivirus software Other applications can be patched with security vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit to install keyloggers. I know I sound like a broken record here. Avoid clicking on suspicious links or attachments that may contain malware.
Use a virtual private network (VPN)
We recommend using a VPN to protect your device from hackers snooping around. A VPN protects you from anyone trying to track and identify your potential locations and the websites you visit.
man on computer (Cyberguy.com)
Cart important points
Always use caution when visiting websites you have not seen before. Make sure your URLs start with HTTPS, especially if you’re dealing with sensitive information like passwords, credit card numbers, or personal information. This will protect you from danger. hacker They may try to steal your information or damage your phone or computer.
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