A secure website ensures that the data exchanged between it and its users is protected against interception, tampering, and misuse.

Here’s what makes a website secure and how you can verify its security:

What Makes a Website Secure?

1. HTTPS Protocol: The most fundamental feature of a secure website is the use of HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure), which ensures that data transmitted between the user’s browser and the website is encrypted. This encryption protects against eavesdropping and man-in-the-middle attacks.
2. SSL/TLS Certificate: Secure websites use SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) or TLS (Transport Layer Security) certificates. These certificates authenticate the website’s identity and enable an encrypted connection. It’s a security standard for encrypting information that is sent between the browser and the server.
3. Secure and Regularly Updated Software: Keeping the website’s underlying software — including the CMS (Content Management System), plugins, and third-party services — updated is crucial. Security patches and updates protect against known vulnerabilities.
4. Strong Access Controls: Secure websites have robust access controls, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access administrative or sensitive functions. This includes using strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, and restricting access based on user roles.
5. Regular Security Audits: Performing regular security audits and penetration testing helps identify and mitigate potential vulnerabilities on the website, ensuring ongoing security maintenance.
6. Data Input Validation: Secure websites practice rigorous data input validation to prevent common vulnerabilities such as SQL injections and cross-site scripting (XSS). This involves sanitizing data inputs to ensure they do not contain malicious code.
7. Secure Cookies: For sites that use cookies to store session information, securing cookies with attributes like ‘Secure’ and ‘HttpOnly’ is important. ‘Secure’ ensures cookies are sent over HTTPS, and ‘HttpOnly’ makes them inaccessible to JavaScript, reducing the risk of XSS attacks.

How Can You Verify a Website’s Security?

1. Check for HTTPS: Look for “HTTPS” instead of “HTTP” in the website’s URL. The presence of HTTPS indicates that the website is using encryption to protect data in transit.
2. Verify the Padlock Icon: Most modern browsers display a padlock icon in the address bar next to the website’s URL when visiting a secure website. Clicking on this icon can provide details about the site’s security certifications and the entity that issued them.
3. Examine the SSL/TLS Certificate: You can view details about the website’s SSL/TLS certificate by clicking on the padlock icon. Check the issuing authority, the validity of the certificate, and to whom the certificate is issued.
4. Use Browser Security Tools: Modern browsers come equipped with various security tools and plugins that can analyze website security. These tools can provide insights into the security features implemented by the website.
5. Look for Trust Seals: Some websites display security seals from reputable cybersecurity companies. While these should not be the sole factor in assessing security, they can indicate that the site undergoes regular security reviews.
6. Check Privacy Policy: A secure website will have a clear and comprehensive privacy policy that outlines how your data is collected, used, and protected.