When visiting a website, especially one that asks for your personal information or passwords, it is important to verify the web address (URL) is the official web address of the entity you are visiting and the site is secure and has a valid security certificate.
STEPS TO CHECK THAT A WEBSITE IS SECURE
Look for "HTTPS" in the URL
A secure website’s URL should begin with “https” rather than “http”. The “s” at the end of “http” stands for secure and is using an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) connection. Your information will be encrypted before being sent to a server.
Check the Site Security Certificate
A SSL Security Certificate is used to secure all data that is passed from the browser to the website’s server. You can check the SSL Security Certificate by looking for the "lock" icon in the browser bar next to the website URL. Clicking on the lock will provide a message stating that the connection to the site is secure.
This icon means there is a company guaranteeing that the communication between you and the company responsible for the website cannot be intercepted or modified. If this lock is not present, the site may not be secure and your information is being sent unencrypted and could be in danger of being intercepted and possibly compromised
Check the URL
Look for typos in the URL that may indicate the site may be fake and not the legitimate site you are trying to reach. Ensure the URL is the same reported by the company.
