It used to be the case that the “Green Padlock” was seen as a signifier that a website could be trusted. But nowadays this isn’t necessarily the case. Scammers are always evolving fast and one of these ways they have tried to fool people is to use that conventional wisdom as a way to get people to hand over their personal details.
But it’s important to know that whilst HTTPS and the Green Padlock is something you should look for when it comes to buying something online or using any website dealing with personal data, it doesn’t mean it’s safe. And with online shopping so popular, it’s more important than ever to know the latest scams.
What is the “Green Padlock”?
The Green Padlock was introduced a while ago now to signify that a website is using HTTPS. This means that any information you enter on that website is private and encrypted and only the website can access that information. If you look at the top of your web browser now, at the address bar, you should be able to see the Green Padlock. This shows that hide.me VPN is using HTTPS on our website. This means that any info you enter on our website is safe.
HTTPS is definitely something you should look for before you use a website, and especially if you are buying something. But it isn’t the be-all-end-all when it comes to your security online.
Anybody can setup HTTPS
Any website operator has the ability to set up HTTPS and gain a certificate. Whilst many certificate authorities will pull HTTPS certificates if the website is found to be fraudulent. There are many out there that look the other way. And that is where scammers will go to get their certificates to implement HTTPS.
Scammers are now using HTTPS as a way to trick users into thinking that a website is legitimate. The Green Padlock has somewhat made many of us conditioned to think it’s a seal of authenticity, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
The fact that the information you hand over is encrypted makes no difference because you are still giving that information over to scammers. That is why it is vitally important you do more research before handing over any more information.
What to look out for to avoid scams
Many scammers are now using HTTPS as a way to make fake copies of big retailers such as Amazon. But you can check if the website you are on is legitimate by checking the certificate. You can just click on the padlock and it will tell you about the certificate. You will get information such as who it was issued to, who it was issued by, and when the certificate is valid from.
Make sure this information matches the website you are on. And if you aren’t sure, it’s best to avoid it. Especially if you are following links from an email. You should go directly to the website yourself to avoid a phishing attempt.
Also just keep an eye out for general giveaways that something is fraudulent. Such as spelling mistakes, weird format issues, broken images/links etc.
Use a VPN!
If there is a website you aren’t sure about, you can always use a VPN to help hide your real IP address. This won’t save you if you hand over information, but it gives you another layer of security when on a website you aren’t sure about.
Make sure to check out our Premium plan so you can get our industry-leading security, streaming unblocking, and much more. For those that regularly shop online, a VPN is a must-have tool!
There is also a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try our service. And if you aren’t happy for whatever reason, you can get your money back.
We love bringing you this content and hope it helps keep you safe and secure online. Feel free to share it with your friends, too.
Here at hide.me we are all about internet freedom, and we are happy to be in a position to bring that to everyone. That is why we give you a 30-day money-back guarantee on our Premium plan. No questions asked and no logs recorded.
If you have any questions, please feel to contact our 24/7 support team either at support@hide.me or via live chat.
