Before you make a payment or share sensitive data online, you should always check that the website you’re using is secure.

There are two ways to do this:

1. Check the URL address
   If it begins with https it means that it has an added security layer (the ‘s’ meaning ‘secure).  If it only has ‘http’ it means that it is not secure and you should certainly not submit your card details or share any sensitive data.
2. Look for the padlock
   Most secure websites will also display a small padlock symbol in the address bar (or elsewhere in the window, depending which browser you’re using).

And if in doubt, don’t!
If you have any doubt over the authenticity of a website you’re using, err on the side of caution and don’t submit your bank details.

It’s also best to avoid making purchases if you’re using a public Wi-Fi connection, as there’s no guarantee that the network is secure.

Watch our video on how to check if a website is secure, here…