As our love for online shopping grows, so do the dangers of the internet. In fact, 79% of US consumers say they now shop online more frequently due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, along with the convenience comes certain risks, particularly when it comes to making online payments with credit cards.
How can you determine if a website is reliable and safe for online transactions? What does it mean when a website address starts with HTTP or HTTPS? And how does this affect your online security and privacy?
Let’s address these questions, starting with a query from Margaret in Fort Lauderdale, Florida:
“Does HTTPS mean that the website accepts credit cards and HTTP is fine if they don’t?” — Margaret Jane, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Margaret Jane asks an important question. Let’s explore the difference between “HTTP” and “HTTPS” and whether it matters for online credit card payments.
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What is the difference between “HTTP” and “HTTPS”?
The main distinction between HTTP and HTTPS is that the latter uses an SSL certificate (Secure Sockets Layer) to secure the transfer of all data, while HTTP provides no such protection, making it more susceptible to data breaches and personal information theft.
HTTPS stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure, and it functions similarly to HTTP. However, it ensures a secure connection between servers and browsers when transmitting data. On the other hand, websites that start with HTTP lack this vital layer of protection.
All with the letter “S”
To put it simply, imagine sending a letter to a friend via email. HTTP is like sending an unsealed envelope – it’s not very secure, and anyone who intercepts the email can open it and read your message.
HTTPS, in contrast, is like sending a letter in a sealed envelope – it’s highly secure, and only you and the intended recipient can open and read the message.
Why is HTTPS more secure than HTTP?
HTTPS offers superior security compared to HTTP because it employs an SSL certificate to encrypt the data being transferred between the web server and the browser. This means that anyone attempting to intercept or alter the data will be unable to read or modify it.
How HTTPS safeguards your data with SSL certificates
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SSL certificates also serve to authenticate the identity of a website, providing confidence that you are interacting with a legitimate site rather than a fraudulent one. An SSL certificate is a digital document that contains information about the website, including its name, owner, and expiration date. This certificate includes a public key and a private key, used for encrypting and decrypting data. The public key is shared with anyone wishing to communicate with the website, while the private key remains confidential, known only to the website owner.
How your browser verifies and encrypts data with HTTPS
When you visit a website that uses HTTPS, your browser verifies the SSL certificate’s validity and checks if it matches the website’s name. If everything checks out, your browser establishes a secure connection with the site and changes the encryption key. All subsequent data sent and received between you and the website is then encrypted using these keys.
How to identify HTTPS websites in your browser
You can determine if a website uses HTTPS by looking at the URL in your browser’s address bar. If it starts with https://, it means the site is secure. You may also notice a lock symbol or a green bar next to the address, indicating that the site possesses a valid SSL certificate.
Why you should avoid making credit card payments on HTTP sites
Whether or not a site accepts credit cards is not relevant to the choice between HTTP and HTTPS. However, if a site does accept credit card payments, it must utilize HTTPS to safeguard the confidential information being transmitted. If you encounter a website using only HTTP that asks for credit card details, it is wise to avoid providing your information. Such a website may be fraudulent or infected with malware, which could compromise your credit card information, providing hackers with the means to exploit it as they wish.
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How can I protect myself from keylogging attacks?
There are several precautions you can take to avoid falling victim to keylogging:
Install reliable antivirus software on all your devices
To keep hackers out of your devices, ensure you have trusted antivirus protection installed on all of them. This software will help prevent exposure to known malicious links, add-ons, or images that can install malware onto your devices, thereby granting hackers access to your information.
Check out my top picks for the best antivirus protection of 2023 for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices.
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Utilize a password manager
Keyloggers cannot record what you don’t type, so using a password manager that automatically fills in your login credentials can help evade their detection. Additionally, make sure to use strong and unique passwords for each account and change them regularly.
Keep your apps and software up to date
Regularly updating your operating system, browser, antivirus software, and other installed applications addresses any security vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit to install keyloggers. Be cautious when clicking on suspicious links or attachments, as they may contain malware.
Employ a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
Using a VPN is highly recommended to secure your devices against potential eavesdropping by hackers. VPNs shield you from those seeking to track your whereabouts and monitor the websites you visit.
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Check out my expert review of the best VPNs for private browsing on your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices.
Kurt’s Top Priority
Whenever you visit unfamiliar websites, make it a habit to check the address for HTTPS. This is especially crucial when dealing with sensitive information such as passwords, credit card numbers, and personal details. By doing so, you can protect yourself from destroyers who may attempt to steal your information or compromise your mobile device or computer.
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