Online safety
By MsTickle
@MsTickle (25180)
Australia
January 18, 2009 7:08pm CST
I have read many discussions where people have expressed their concern over their safety in disclosing their personal or banking details online.
I was sent this information in an email recently and I thought I would pass it on:
MOST PEOPLE ARE UNAWARE OF:
**The main difference between http:// and https:// is It's all about keeping you secure**
HTTP stands for Hypertext Transport Protocol, which is just a fancy way of saying it's a protocol (a language, in a manner of speaking) for information to be passed back and forth between web servers and clients.
The important thing is the letter S which makes the difference between HTTP and HTTPS.
The S (big surprise) stands for "Secure".
If you visit a website or webpage, and look at the address in the web browser, it will likely begin with the following: http://.
This means that the website is talking to your browser using the regular 'unsecured language. In other words, it is possible for someone to "eavesdrop" on your computer's conversation with the website. If you fill out a form on the website, someone might see the information you send to that site.
This is why you never ever enter your credit card number in an http website!
But if the web address begins with https://, that basically means your computer is talking to the website in a secure code that no one can eavesdrop on.
You understand why this is so important, right?
If a website ever asks you to enter your credit card information, you should automatically look to see if the web address begins with https://.
If it doesn't, there's no way you're going to enter sensitive information like a credit card number.
PASS IT ON
(You may save someone a lot of grief)
I hope this might put your mind at rest if you have a worry about this sort of online activity.
To date, I have never had a problem...have you had a problem or do you know of anyone who has had one?
10 people like this
25 responses
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
19 Jan 09
Hey thanks for letting me know. I didn't know that. now I can at least do things more confidently online knowing that I will be safer if I just look for these things. No so far I haven't had this problem but I haven't had to enter a credit card yet either since I don't have one. But there is always a maybe and someday and at least now I am more informed if I should ever do so. But I have done things online with my account of my checking account. so that will help out there also.
2 people like this
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
20 Jan 09
You know I have started noticing that more since you mentioned it and I appreciate it. Now I will be able to shop confidently.
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
21 Jan 09
the operative word is to date, if hackers can get into the largest banks in the world, the pentagon which they have done and any kind of government security system, that little S is just a false hope of protection, better than not having it but still nothing in the grand scheme of things.
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
23 Jan 09
I am saying that you can never really be sure because a hacker can get into anything, that is the false hope, no where did I say don't use websites, if so why would I be on this one.
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
22 Jan 09
So rose, are you saying we should not use any sites that require secure connections?
My phrase..."to date" are my own words. I'm as careful as I can be. Many folk are not because they are unaware of the ramifications of using secure sites online.
I SO disagree with you that " that little S is just a false hope of protection". If it meant nothing then it would not be in use.
1 person likes this
@newzealtralian (3930)
• Australia
14 Feb 09
My computer software actually asks me if I want to keep acessing these https sites, as apparently they can still be read by a third party, so I'm not sure on it now.
I try to have my passwords and log ins automatically come up when using any website to reduce the risk of someone watching my key strokes, which is the main way people are able to gain your personal info.
Not having a credit card helps too, which also means the savings account isn't raided so often.
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
14 Feb 09
I'm not sure what you mean in your first paragraph. Once I'm done with my payment or whatever on one of those sites I'm asked to log out or close the window. If I take too long or go away and make a coffee (or something) and leave the window open , it times out and closes and I have to start again.
I only access a computer from home so I don't have to worry about anyone watching me. Having a credit card means I have to make it work for me so I use it for the interest free period, then I pay it. That's the theory anyway. Usually, I buy a big ticket item and that's the end of that. LOL.
1 person likes this
@newzealtralian (3930)
• Australia
25 Feb 09
I seem to have over protected anti virus software that really needs to get a life and stop me living my online one! lol. It even sensors my emails which is pretty annoying! lol. At least I'm not getting half the medication spam mails i was getting, too many rude words! lol.
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
19 Jan 09
Hi guy...me too, I was not aware of this . I know about the padlock in the bar towards the bottom but I assume it will be there and I don't check. I think from now on I will be checking the address even as a matter of interest. I just hope I can form the habit.
Shouldn't places we make purchases from be that https too?
@Polly1 (12645)
• United States
19 Jan 09
My son told me about this right after I got my computer. I always look for the S and also the little lock symbal. I told my sister about the S, she had never heard about it. She has been online for many years, that surprised me. This is a really good post, there are still lots of people who don't know about this. You did a good deed today.
1 person likes this
@nannacroc (4049)
•
19 Jan 09
I was unaware of this until this evening, strangely a friend on another site had given the same information. I haven't had a problem as all my ggirls are security concious and have told me not to enter details without consulting one of them first. I can be a bit lazy and not bother checking but I do always ask them.
They also made sure the wireless internet was secure and passworded before I used it.
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
19 Jan 09
Thanks for this post MsTickle. I know many people who may not know this information and would find it very helpful. Being in the know is important when giving out information the web.
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
27 Jan 09
thanks. i sure appreciate the info. no one has ever even hinted this very important info to me before. so glad i came here to see your posts.
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
27 Jan 09
Hi bunny...you're welcome. I've been checking it out over the last couple of days and every time I use my online bank or I get to the payment page of a site when I'm making a purchase, the "s" appears at the end of "http". The padlock is also in the task bar down below which is another indication that the site is secure
@catdla1 (6005)
• United States
19 Jan 09
Wow...thank you so much! This information is invaluable and I've already sent an information email to all of my friends. I've always looked for that little lock in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen. Is the HTTPS a safer notation? I haven't had a problem personally, I only shop at a handfull of online sites. A friend of mine had problems though.
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
19 Jan 09
Hi catdla1. I can't answer your question. I've always known about the padlock but I have become lazy and simply assume it's there. I don't know what the correlation is between the two.I know the padlock means you are dealing with a secure site but not sure if they both mean the same thing.
@Lindalinda (4111)
• Canada
19 Jan 09
Hi Ms Tickle,
Thank you for posting this information. I am surprised how many people say they were not aware of the difference between http and https. I know about it but quite often I forget to check out that little item. I usually look to see if that little lock appears at the bottom of the screen on the right hand side. However, I guess that is not enough. Also as one responder pointed out it is extremely important not to give out information if you get an e-mail that says it is from a bank or paypal. Those e-mails are from phishers who want to steal your information. When in doubt go to the site of paypal and contact them or if it appears from you bank telephone them. Thanks again.
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
20 Jan 09
Hi nsujin and welcome to myLot.
I think perhaps you have responded only to the heading of my discussion.....if you had read the whole discussion, your response might make sense.
The whole object here is to read what the poster has to say and then respond as if you were discussing the subject.
Please read the Guidelines, you will find a link at the bottom of the page. You might like to read the Terms as well. If you want to enjoy yourself and not risk offending people or worse, then I suggest you find out how NOT to break the rules.
Good luck and happy myLotting.
@faith210 (11224)
• Philippines
19 Jan 09
Hi Ms Tickle! That is very good information my friend. My husband told me about this before and showed me that i have to see the padlock icon or symbol at the lower right corner of the computer. He told me not to disclose any formation unless I see the "s" after http and the padlock icon. I have forgotten about it though (I have some memory lapse once in awhile..haha..) and I do thank you for reminding me one again.
Take care and have a nice day!
lovelots..faith210
Take care and have a nice day!
lovelots..faith210
@Bluepatch (2476)
• Trinidad And Tobago
19 Jan 09
For God's sake ! How can anyone give out banking details online ! Online is the whole world, practically ! Its like publishing your banking details in the newspaper ! Think about it !
@Yoshi_ (156)
• Australia
20 Jan 09
It's not like you're posting your credit card number or bank account name on a site like myLot for every man and his dog to see. You're performing the same transactions you would if you were at a bank in person through your own bank's website. With credit cards, you should only use it on a website that has approval through certain verification companies to show it's safe to use your credit card there. Think about in real life, if you're at an atm entering your pin, what's to say someone isn't looking over your shoulder watching what keys you press? If you're using a website with a ssl (secure sockets layer, the correct name for https) connection you're safer from people using tools to eavesdrop on your connection than you would be if you were standing at an atm entering your pin. Granted, it doesn't make you 100% safe, there is still the possibility of someone exploiting a security hole in a bank's website to gain access to your account, which renders ssl useless, but this is unlikely. Same goes if you buy from an online store if they keep your credit card number in their database, which they usually don't do, most require you to enter your credit card every time you make a purchase. Even if your credit card or bank details are obtained by someone who gains unauthorised access to the bank/store's website you can hold them responsible, and usually are able to get back any money that is stolen from your cc/bank account once they investigate it. In fact, banks have deparments solely for investigating and putting things right when fraudulent practises like this occur. Credit card fraud has been happening long before computers were ever invented.
@ilgattofelice99 (192)
• Chile
19 Jan 09
Thanks for the warning, I am a frequent user of online banking. I never ever respond to emails such as these, better safe than sorry is my motto.
