Internet is now the most widespread technology that most people rely on for almost everything; banking, shopping, communication, and business or job opportunities. For the same reason, cyber terrorism arises, and has made people anxious of their security against these identity thefts, or fraudulent advertisements. Each year, malicious software and spyware increase, which threaten everyone that uses the internet for their daily activities.
There are millions of websites that offer numerous products and services but not all of them are legitimate, and it can be hard to figure out which one can truly be trusted. If you are not sure whether the website can be trusted or not, consider these questions:
- Is it a secure site? – When on a page that requires personal information such as credit card number always look for an SSL certificate. A secured website can be identified through the site’s certificate. A secured website uses HTTPS instead of HTTP on the address bar, and indicates a lock icon on the right side of the address bar. On some browsers the lock icon is located on the lower right hand side of the browser.
*The lock icon is not just an indication of a secured website; you can also click on it to view the security information. Browsers contain a list of the most common certification authorities. If a browser does not recognize the issuer, there will be a warning message.
- Who is the author of the website? – In visiting a website, there must be an author or organization that created the website. It is usually located at the bottom part of the homepage under the About Us link. Conduct a brief investigation if the author is not familiar to you.
- Is it requiring personal information? – If you were prompt for information such as credit card numbers and information, do not provide anything unless there is a good reason. Make sure that that website is secured or encrypted and read the terms and agreement or website’s policy before you proceed.
- Does the website contain contact information like phone or email? – Try to find out if phone number and email address on a website actually works. Try to contact the number and send email to see if someone will respond, or if the email will bounce.
- Does it have good reviews? – If the website is not familiar to you, search some reliable source to see if somebody has tried it. A website that does not have a privacy certification does not mean that they cannot be trusted. Just be mindful in visiting sites which are not encrypted or does not have trusted seal, investigation can be very much helpful.
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