Don't know how true this is, but in regards to internet security...

Got this in an email and we all know not to trust EVERYTHING from the internet, but maybe there is truth to it:

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 'unsecure' 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.

Re: Don't know how true this is, but in regards to internet security...

That info is very true

Re: Don't know how true this is, but in regards to internet security...

This is all correct.

You should also make sure that the 'secure channel' is correct by clicking on the key or lock at the bottom of your browser when you goto a secure site. It will display some info about the key (which is used to make the secure channel.)

You should make sure that the key's expiration date is still valid, and that the name on the key is the same as the website you are visiting. *Usually* you will get a browser popup telling you that these items fail - but sometimes people click OK without reading, or have blocked those warnings.

Re: Don't know how true this is, but in regards to internet security...

yes, my bro taught me that a while ago. I always look for the "S"

Re:

Message edited 3/20/2010 10:33:09 AM.

Re: Don't know how true this is, but in regards to internet security...

It's totally true& totally disappointing when you find some hard to find item on some obscure website only to realize it has sub-standard security!