INTERNET | Sympatico Service | Computers and Modems
What is a secure connection?
A secure connection is one that provides encryption for the data that is transferred between your computer and the Web site you are viewing, making it very difficult for anybody else to intercept and decode your messages.
How can I tell if I have a secure connection?Your browser has a way of telling you when you are connected to a secure site. Depending on your browser, an image will appear at the bottom of the window to indicate a secure site. You should also make sure that you will be notified when you enter and leave a secure site.
If you are using Netscape Navigator, a key image 
)
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Similary, with Netscape Communicator, a closed padlock 
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With Microsoft Internet Explorer, a different looking padlock 
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The term "secure connection" refers to your connection to the Web page only. It has nothing to do with your dial-up connection.
By double-clicking the key or padlock icon (depending on your browser), you can view information on the security of the current page.
Secured transactions are also indicated in the location bar of your browser by the prefix https:// rather than http:// (https stands for "hyper-text transfer protocol, secured").
Be alert: you may encounter pages which falsely claim to be secure.
If you don't see the secure icon
or
or
)
You can see a secure page by going to Amazon.com and going through the process of ordering a book. You do not need to actually buy the book to see a secure page.
Related issues about security and online shopping:
How to tell when you are entering
and leaving a secure site
How does a secure link work?
How hard is it for somebody else
to decode the encryption protecting my personal information?
How do I view security information
for a page?
How do I view my browser's
current security settings?
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