What Is HTTPS And Why Should I Be Concerned? by Louisa Chan

What Is HTTPS? And Why Should I Be Concerned?

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Table Of Content Your Data Is In Cyber Space .................................................................................................................. 3 What Is HTTPS Or HTTP? .................................................................................................................. 3 You Don’t Want A Lesson In Computer Security ............................................................................. 3 HTTPS In Simple English Please........................................................................................................ 4 It’s About Transfer Of Data Over The Net........................................................................................ 4 Just To Be Sure, Let’s Check That You Are Using HTTPS ....................................................................... 6 Additional Resources ............................................................................................................................ 7

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Your Data Is In Cyber Space Since we started using the computer to surf the internet and send emails we have stored and shared quite a bit of sensitive and personal details over the net. That is particularly so if you also use the different social media platforms.

Louisa Chan from Synergy Marketing Pro offers Marketing Strategies and Services for Small Businesses. We have helped businesses from different industries build online and social media presence and facilitate their branding and market visibility. We bring with us over 10 years of corporate and people building experience and a multidisciplinary cross-cultural background in Business Coaching, Social Media and Mobile Marketing Consulting, IT Consulting and Project Management. Resources:  Click here to download a free report on 5 Steps To Master Social Media In 1 Hour A Week  Click here for more tips on Social Media

So it makes sense that you take care to protect your online privacy especially when you are browsing with public and free WIFI access. You want to make sure that your data is as secure as possible.

What Is HTTPS Or HTTP? If you pay close attention you will notice that at your browser’s address bar (or URL) it will sometimes say “HTTP” while at other times it will state “HTTPS”. What that means is that some connections are encrypted and therefore more secure than then others. So as you can guess HTTPS (Secured Hypertext Transfer Protocol) is more secure compared to HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) connection is.

You Don’t Want A Lesson In Computer Security Let me say here that this is not a discussion on internet security. That can be a complete topic on its own!

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Synergy Marketing Pro offers Marketing Strategies and Services for Small Businesses. We have helped businesses from different industries build online and social media presence and facilitate their branding and market visibility You can reach us at SynergyMarketingPro.com We bring with us over 10 years of corporate and people building experience and a multidisciplinary crosscultural background in Business Coaching, Social Media and Mobile Marketing Consulting, IT Consulting and Project Management. Resources:  Click here to download a free report on 5 Steps To Master Social Media In 1 Hour A Week  Click here for more tips on Social Media

So we are not going to talk about digital signature and certification or discuss what Secure Socket Coating (SSL) is. Or how that improves security to an HTTP connection or how that authenticates the actual transfer of data between your laptop and the web servers you are being able to access. OK, if all that does not make sense to you, don’t worry. Let’s just try and understand what HTTPS is and why we would want to use it as much as possible while surfing the net.

HTTPS In Simple English Please Data travels between your computer to the web servers (like Gmail or Facebook). This transfer is open to others “eavesdropping” on you in cyberspace or trying to access your private data as data travels between your laptop and the web server.

It’s About Transfer Of Data Over The Net So that is why you want to make sure that you use a secure channel for the transfer of the data to and from the web server. This is especially important when you are using open or public WIFI. Imagine others tapping into your data as you send your email or when you are updating status on Facebook!

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The secure connection encrypts your data and creates a secure channel when you are transferring data. This assures at least treasonable protection from eavesdroppers in cyber space. And for those who want to intercept and access your data this is made a little more difficult.

So how do you tell if your connections are guaranteed? We talked about the term HTTPS appearing at the web address bar. Another thing to look out for is a green 'padlock' with the text ”HTTPS” at your internet browser address bar as in the diagram shown.

Now that you are aware of it you will notice it on some sites. If you like to know how to set it up so that you are always accessing your email and Facebook in secure mode, here are some detailed steps with diagrams that may help: How To Enable Secure Log In Using HTTPS It is however not always possible to use HTTPS connections, so if you are not comfortable accessing sites that are not secure (and you should be) then you don’t need to access those sites and especially not when you are using community WIFI system! Social Media 101 © www.SynergyMarketingPro.com

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And whenever you are doing any kind of on-line payment transaction, you will want to make quite sure that you are only using HTTPS connection. You do not want your personal details to be made knows to others online. So once again, when in doubt do not use sites that are do not have secure connection. This is especially true when you are making use of third party applications on Facebook . Why? Because you are storing a lot of sensitive and information on Facebook and you do not want your data to be compromised during transfer of data to these third party applications over internet connections that are not secure. So surf the net but just make sure you do it wisely and not expose yourself to more danger than you need to. And that is all you need to do!

Just To Be Sure, Let’s Check That You Are Using HTTPS Now whenever you log onto Facebook, you should be able to see a padlock using the words "HTTPS" at the web address bar. If these two are present then you are using HTTPS connections. Security and privacy is of great concern to most online users and if you like to know how to set it up so that you are always accessing your email and Facebook in secure mode, here’s a 3-minute video that may help: Secure Facebook Login Using Facebook HTTPS Many are still not aware that there is a difference between HTTP and HTTPS. And many more do not know How to do so. You are now in a position to help others be aware of this! And you can now share this valuable information with them so they too will be able to use the net securely.

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Feel free to pass them this article after you have printed it or just pass them the link and they will be able to protect their online browsing! For more regular tips on using online social media for your business, you can join us at http://Facebook.com/SynergyMarketingPro

Additional Resources 1 – Blog Post with Step-By-Step diagram walk-through on How To Enable Secure Log In Using HTTPS @ http://www.synergymarketingpro.com/how-to-enable-http 2 – Blog Post with Video walk-through on Secure Facebook Login Using Facebook HTTPS @ http://www.synergymarketingpro.com/facebooklog-in/

3 - And if you would like to start using Social Media the correct way, here’s a complimentary report that will help you set up your social media presence with a good foundation Free Report On 5 Steps To Master Social Media In 1 Hour A Week @ http://www.synergymarketingpro.com/1hoursocialmedia

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