How can I tell if a website is secure and legitimate before entering my personal information?
- Check the URL-Examine the website's address to make sure it starts with
https
instead ofhttp
. TheS
indicates a secure website. - Look for the Padlock Symbol-Look for a padlock in the address bar or the status bar at the bottom of the browser window, as this signifies the web page is using an encrypted connection.
- Find Security Documentation-Search the company's website for a privacy or security statement, usually located in the footer. A legitimate website will offer an explicit security guarantee.
- Contact Customer Support-If in doubt, contact customer support and ask questions about the website's security measures.