Security on the Internet: Do you really trust the castle symbol?

Security on the Internet: Do you really trust the castle symbol?

In the digital era, security on the Internet is becoming increasingly important, and many users blindly trust the security symbol in the address bar of their browser. But this advance of trust could be deceptive. A look behind the scenes shows that not every certificate is equivalent. More and more websites are using free SSL/TLS certificates that show a secure connection, but can also hide risks.

The security of this certificate depends on the exhibiting certification body (approx.). If this has not carried out a thorough review of the organization behind the website, fraudulent sides can also be equipped with a supposedly safe connection symbol. Therefore, it is advisable to take a close look at the certificate information, especially if you access an unknown website.

free certificates and their limits

The organizations such as Let’s Encrypt were founded in 2014 to promote the spread of HTTPS and thus the safety on the Internet. The concept of free domain validation certificates offered a solution to secure many websites. Nevertheless, there is no organizational validation with these free certificates, which means that they are attractive for criminals to create phishing sites or to be used in fraudulent activities. The risk increases because despite the security displayed, nobody can really guarantee that the data will be sent to the correct organization.

Certificates encrypt communication, but self -signed certificates could also be potentially abused because they are not verified by a trustworthy CA. Many users do not know that it is theoretically possible to establish an encrypted connection to a malignant side that endangers the privacy of users.

To be on the safe side, every internet user can simply check the certificate information. Clicking on the lock symbol in the address line is the first step. There, basic information about the certificate used can be called up, including the exhibiting area and the valid organization. This is particularly important because these steps can help to identify phishing attempts or fraudulent websites.

Despite the existing uncertainties, experts advise you to always act carefully on the Internet. A certain risk always remains, even on pages with extended validation. Therefore, users should continuously find out about the topics of internet security and remain attentive, especially with sensitive online activities.

Additional information and comprehensive warnings for danger from phishing and malware pages can be found on websites such as Let's Encrypt . Here it is also emphasized that users can report such dangerous pages to protect others.

The critical examination of the certificates issued is a necessary step to ensure your own digital security and to secure yourself against possible threats. After all, nobody wants the encrypted communication ultimately to benefit from the right organization.