When using the Internet to make purchases or enter personal information, it is important to ensure that the websites you use are properly secured. There are a few simple things you can look for to make sure your information is protected and the site is safe.
Be sure that the web site address or “URL” listed in the address bar is really where you want to be. Note whether the site is using a secured connection, denoted by “https://” in the URL, if you will be providing any personal information such as a credit card number or account number.
Pay attention to errors and warnings from your browser. Messages such as the following can indicate a lack of a secure connection:
- “There is a problem with this website’s security certificate.”
- “The security certificate presented by this website has expired or is not yet valid.”
- “The security certificate presented by this website was issued for a different web site’s address.”
Security certificate problems may indicate an attempt to fool you or intercept any data you send to the server.
If something about the website seems “wrong,” do not proceed. Instead, close your browser and try again. To help ensure that you find the right web page, launch a search engine and type the name of your financial institution. Ideally, it should be at the top of the list.
Also in many, though not all, cases the official website entry will show a bank’s stock ticker symbol in parentheses after the name. Regardless, picking the right one often is easier than typing the URL.
Once you are sure that you are at the legitimate login screen for your financial institution, save this page to your browser’s “favorites.” Then, use this favorites link to access the site in the future. While this method is not 100% foolproof, it does add another layer of protection.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I suggest that parents do some parenting, be involved with their kids lives, and actually talk to them about what information is reasonable to share on the internet. If parents are not involved and kids are online, it does not matter how much regulation or child safety propaganda goes around the government… they will be at risk irregardless of any measures taken by those too far from the issue… those NOT parenting.
I respect the fact that you are helping to education parents about resources available to protect children online. Personally I believe that there is such a gap between parents and children, especially in this internet revolution. Many parents are not savvy to what actually happens on the internet.