Recognizing Secure Websites (HTTPS)

To identify a secure website, look for “https://” at the beginning of the website address in the browser’s address bar. The “s” in HTTPS stands for “secure” and indicates that the website uses encryption to protect the information shared between your browser and the site. A padlock icon is often displayed next to the web address — this confirms that the website has a valid security certificate (SSL/TLS). Avoid entering personal or payment information on sites that only begin with http:// and do not show a padlock.