Study the 3 options given below and identify which of them allow an online shopper to be sure that he/she is using a secure website.

(i) Check the URL: if it begins with https then it is secure
(ii) Check for the Padlock icon before the URL
(iii) Check for the type of the domain: if it ends with .com then it is secure

Correct option is B

Correct Answer: (b)

Explanation:

• (i) https: The "s" in https stands for "Secure." It indicates that the website is using a security protocol (SSL/TLS) to encrypt the data transferred between your browser and the server, making it difficult for hackers to steal information like passwords or credit card numbers.
• (ii) Padlock icon: This icon, usually found in the address bar before the URL, confirms that the website has a valid security certificate. Clicking on it provides details about the site’s security status and the certificate issuer.
• These two indicators are the standard ways to verify that a connection to a website is encrypted and secure for online shopping.

Information Booster:

• SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and its successor TLS (Transport Layer Security) are the technologies that create this secure link.
• While https and the padlock ensure that the communication is encrypted, they do not guarantee that the business itself is honest; a scammer can still set up an encrypted website. Shoppers should also look for reputable reviews and contact information.
• Modern browsers often display a "Not Secure" warning if you visit a site that uses only http instead of https, especially on pages where you enter sensitive data.

Additional Knowledge:

• (iii) .com domain: The top-level domain (TLD) like .com, .org, or .net only indicates the type of entity (e.g., commercial, organization). It has no relation to the security of the website. Both secure and malicious websites can use any domain extension.
• Because statement (iii) is incorrect, options (a), (c), and (d) are wrong as they all include it as a valid security measure.