Look for the padlock
Where to start?
Before entering sensitive information (such as your credit or debit card details) into a website, you should always check that this information is being handled in a secure manner. Make sure that the data being sent is encrypted (i.e. scrambled or encoded) as this makes it much more difficult for anyone else to read or change your personal information.
Whenever you are typing in personal information, make sure that the web address (in the address bar) begins with https (the s stands for 'secure'). Also check to see if a small locked padlock appears in the browser window (see images below).
With Internet Explorer 7 the padlock is located next to the address bar. Using Firefox the padlock appears in the bottom of the browser frame.
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With an Apple computer (Safari browser) the padlock appears in the upper right hand corner of the browser frame. |
The 'padlock' is one way of checking that a website is secure and indicates that your information will be encrypted.
What else can I do?
- Don’t be fooled by a padlock that appears on the web page itself. It is possible for a fraudster to copy the image of a padlock. You need to check that it is in the window frame of the browser itself.
- Know whom you are dealing with – if you are not familiar with the retailer try to find out more about them. A search engine can help you check that a retailer is reliable.
- Look for evidence of a physical address and landline telephone contact details. You may consider phoning them before you place an order.
- Be extremely wary of anything that is offered in an unsolicited email or looks suspiciously cheap.
- Look for third-party seals of approval (see example below). Companies can put these seals on their sites only if they abide by a set of rigorous standards. We recommend clicking on such images, as a genuine logo will always link through to the approving organisation.
- With recent browsers (such as Internet Explorer 7, Firefox 3 and Opera 9.5) you may see the address bar turn green when visiting a trusted website (see illustration below).
This uses a system called extended validation SSL certificates and is used on some secure websites. Click here for more details.