Security of information is important whenever you are visiting a website. The kind of connection that is made between you and the web server determines how well you are able to pass information. It also determines if there will be safety of the information and if it will be encrypted before being uploaded to the server. For instance, when you visit your banking website, you are usually presented with a page where you are required to supply your credentials in order to be able to login. This page always has a lock icon at the side just before the address. The address will also usually begin with https:// as compared to http:// which is common for the many other websites that you visit on the internet.
The lock icon signifies that you are on an encrypted connection and all the information that is passed between you and the web server will be secure and confidential. There is no one that will be able to crack this information and it will not fall into the wrong hands. It also shows the security measures that have been put towards making sure that the information is safe and secure while passing between your browser and the web server.
The icon also reveals the parties and authorities that have been involved in making your connection secure. This begins from your internet service provider right up to the signing certificate. These are independent parties that form the public key infrastructure responsible for giving you a secure internet experience that cannot be affected by hackers, viruses, and malware on the internet.
A lock symbol shows that the information that is being received by your browser and that which is being sent to the web server is all safe and secure. It shows that the information has been encrypted and cannot be intercepted by any third parties. It is also an indication that you might be required to enter your credentials in one form or the other. Most of the time, the credentials are in the form of a username and a password. In other cases, the credentials might take on the form of a phone number and an OTP which is sent to that number.
Two-factor authentication is being increasingly used to secure modern web applications. It is done to ensure that the identity of the person signing into the web application is correct and they have the additional safeguard against fraud and impersonation. With the use of two-factor authentication, the users of the web application are able to assure the server they are who they claim to be. It is not possible or easy to impersonate someone and steal their SMS messages while they are logging in and this is one of the more trusted methods of signing into the web applications securely.
A secure web is important for everyone. Whenever you see that lock sign on your browser, breathe a sigh of relief. You are assured of a safe internet usage experience without hackers being able to know what you are up to.
