Are the HTTPS Sites Safer Than the HTTP Sites?
I finally got the green padlock to my domain! It however doesn’t make my website & blog any safer than it was before. So, why did I add HTTPS to my website in the first place?
Last week I wrote an article about supplements & corona virus. After I shared the article on one of my Facebook pages. I got a message saying “I don’t click on anything that does not start with HTTPS”.
It really got me thinking. Maybe there are other people who do the same? Maybe I should get the green padlock too. There must be something behind this?
I’m pretty sure I have lost plenty of readers, because I haven’t installed the SSL certificate before. What I learned from the process. It doesn’t matter if you are an honest businessman or a scammer, both can get the certificate the same way. Either for free or purchasing it. As lazy a person as I am (Big Lebowski style). I bought the damn certificate. That way I didn’t have to fill any registration forms. Simple buy, and install…and that was it!
There was no need for my website to pass any sort of security check or background check or anything else. I felt scammed. So, I paid for nothing? It felt like buying a random certificate that you can hang up on your wall to make you look like you have achieved something… Now, I’m trapped. I have to renew the certificate when it’s about to expire.
Blackmailing
HTTPS started with good intentions. Goal was to make the Internet more safe. It does make it a little more safe however, but for websites that don’t store passwords or don’t offer any sort of web store. It’s pretty much useless. Yet, apparently those websites get punished due to lower SEO scores. What does that mean? It means your site will rank lower on Google search results. Yep, I agree that less safe websites should rank lower, but like I said before. Anyone can get a certificate. I don’t know who the real winner is. Sites that sell certificates or the Internet users.
How To Stay Safe?
Use trusted antivirus/anti-malware software. 99.9% of the time using a paid version will be a much safer option. Free versions either install 3rd party software (makes your computer actually less safe), or sell your information to the third party. How to find a good legit antivirus software? That’s a good question. Most of the reviews you can find from Google’s top results are actually affiliate reviews (meaning: whoever made the review, gets money from each purchase made via their link). I use F-Secure Total. It’s a well trusted Finnish company. Usually gets ranked really well in non-paid reviews. Is there a better antivirus software out there? I don’t know. Still…I don’t go to any hazy looking websites. Having antivirus software doesn’t make you immune to threats.
Payment Options:
I never trust a website that doesn’t have the major payment options. If the website has an option to use PayPal. I will always go with that. HTTPS can prevent hackers from attempts to steal your credit card info from the server (due encryption), but if you give your credit card to a scammer in the first place. HTTPS isn’t your friend.
Use two or three emails.
I used three email addresses. “Main email”. I have all the major well known (Amazon, Ebay, Facebook etc..) own site registrations under that email and also the address I use for sending private emails. Secondary one is for web forums I visit regularly and other similar sites. Third one is for sites that require registration that I know I won’t be visiting again, sweepstakes etc.
Common sense
With the Internet, the most important security question is: “If it’s too good to be true, it probably is.”. Take a good use of that common sense. Don’t believe everything you read and see. Magic tricks are easier online.
Conclusion:
Good thing is that the (green) padlock thing is soon history. Even Google is removing it from the Chrome web browser. Because after all, it’s all about where you put your credit card info: With HTTP…never. If it’s HTTPS. Always do a background check, and if you are insecure (and the site doesn’t offer PayPal), maybe it’s just better to pass? or ask for an opinion from someone you trust.
Support My Ramblings 2020 | iHerb Coupon YUY952
Go to iHerb.com (I know you want to)
Did you know that using affiliate links will not cost you any extra time or money. Using coupon code above will keep my blog running! This site doesn’t write itself…Believe it or not!