Login HTTPS

When you're using a website that you're sending personal information to it's always essential to make sure it is using Login HTTPS. Logging into a website using HTTPS means that the text you type into the website is encrypted, so your personal details can't be stolen and used by hackers. Always login with HTTPS if you are using an online bank, shopping site or other site where you don't want your personal details to get stolen.

HTTPS means Secure HTTP. Basically if you're visiting a website that uses HTTP then the web traffic between your computer and the web server running the website you're visited is supposed to be encrypted.

Sometimes HTTPS is also referred to as SSL (Secure Sockets Layer).

There are other benefits of using login through HTTPS. A website that supports HTTP logins will have a website SSL Security Certificate. These certificates are only issued by certain companies such as Verisign and Thwate. Companies that issue security certificates for HTTPS always check that the company is applying for the certificate is genuine. This helps you by giving you reassurance that a website you're going to login to and give personal details is genuine.

Most websites support login HTTPS if you are going to be typing personal information into them. The following types of websites will often use login via HTTPS:

• Banks.
• Other financial services companies.
• Insurance quotation websites.
• Web based email providers such as Hotmail, Yahoo mail and Google's Googlemail/GMail.
• Ecommerce sites such as Amazon, eBay and PayPal.
• Payment provider sites such as ClickBank and RegNow.

In general sites that ask for personal details like a credit card number will always use login via HTTPS. Sites with less confidential information don't always use login HTTPs.

When you are logged in using HTTPS then your web browser will normally show a locked padlock symbol somewhere in the web browser window. The website address will also have a https:// prefix rather than http://. In most browsers if you click on the padlock symbol then you can get further details of the website's security settings. It's a good idea to click on the padlock in order to ensure that the website you are visiting is actually the genuine website. Sometimes hackers will use spam emails or hacking tools to change your computer's settings and point your computer to a fake website. A fake website can look like a genuine website, so checking for the padlock symbol and the right security certificate can help avoid catastrophes.

When using login with HTTPS pay attention to any server certificate warnings you might be shown by your web browser. Be wary of websites where the server certificate is out of date, or does not apply to the website you are visiting. If you have any doubts about a website then do not log into it or send any personal details to that website!

Most web browsers support Login HTTPS. Internet Explorer, Mozilla, Netscape and Google Chrome are popular web browsers that support login HTTPS.

One very important thing about using login with HTTPS is to check that your web browser is not a very old out of date version. Old browsers cannot always check that a website's HTTPS security certificate is valid. It's risky to send personal information over the Internet with an obsolete web browser. An old web browser might have other problems as well, such as security issues or bugs that a hacker might be able to exploit in order to gain access to your personal information, or to take over your computer!

Many web browsers allow you to check that your web browser is up to date. Windows Update will tell you if your Internet browser is out of date, and it will periodically apply fixes to known security problems.

If you have your own website then you can easily allow people to login with HTTPS. This is a great feature to provide if you are asking your users to enter confidential information. If your website has a HTTPS certificate then it will also help to reassure your customers that you are a genuine business.

To get a website certificate you have to check that your web hosting company supports HTTPS and SSL security certificates. You can then apply for a certificate from a company such as Verisign.

I hope this article answers all your questions about login through HTTPS.