Secure+Web+Sites*


 * How do you know if the Web site you're using is secure? **
 *  The truth is there's no way of guaranteeing 100% security, but there are indicators of a high level of security. Especially when transferring personal information, you want to make sure that **


 * **the connection you are using is secure (if using a wireless connection, is the connection WPA or WEP protected by a trusted provider) **
 * **the company at the other end of the connection is one that you trust **


 * Your browser contains information that will help you identify if the site you are using uses encrypted technology. Such technology encrypts information as it's sent from point A to point B and is readable only by the trusted entity at the other end of the connection. **


 * You can be relatively certain that you are working on a secure site if you see **
 * **https at the beginning of the URL **
 * **a padlock at the bottom or top of your browser **


 * How do you know if the site you're on is not a hacker-sponsored secure site? **
 * Ah, that's the million dollar question. There's another layer of protection. Supposedly, hackers can't obtain a special certificate and something referred to as EV SSL, which is subject to a review process. Sites that have undergone and passed this review process feature the color green in the address bar. That's supposed to mean that it's safe to go into the water. Red in the address bar is supposed to mean it ain't safe; you're about to swim with sharks. **


 * No matter how you slice it, there's no fool-proof (or should I say hacker-proof) way of doing business on the Web. The best defense is **
 * **deal only with trusted sites, **
 * **double check that the address in the address bar is correct (watch out for small changes citibank.com vs. citbank.com) **
 * **use a secure connection **
 * **refrain from using other people's computers for personal transactions **
 * **<span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140%;">log out of a session with any vendor or bank and close the browser **
 * **<span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140%;">mind the https at the beginning of the URL and padlock **
 * **<span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140%;">check your bank and credit card statements faithfully down to the last penny **