How can you tell if a web site is secure?

Well it's relatively simple, there are 3 easy to do checks that will guarantee you are on a safe and secure web site, and that you wont be at risk when entering your payment card details or personal information. We've listed them below but please read on for detailed information and a few more tips on staying safe online.

1. The padlock - This is located in the bottom right hand corner of your browser window, or in the Navigation paine
   • This is a screen shot form Firefox Version 3.5.5 and may be different in other versions or browsers
   • This is a screen shot form Internet Explorer 7 and may be different in other versions or browsers
   • note: make sure the padlock image in in the browser window and not an image on the web page.
2. SSL Certificate - In modern browsers check for a Blue or Green bar. This is located in the same box as the url.
   • This is a screen shot from our site www.refinedav.co.uk When you click on the blue bar the security certificate is revealed.
   • 
   • A green bar also indicates that the site is secure and should be trusted.
   • If the bar is red then the certificate has expired and should be avoided.
3. https:// - Normally, when browsing the web, the URLs (web page addresses) begin with the letters "http".  However, over a secure connection the address displayed should begin with "https" - note the "s" at the end.

That's it!
If you have all 3 of these in the correct locations then you're on a secure site, and can shop to your hearts content.

Extra Informaton
Keep your browser uptodate. If you can (as in Firefox) enable auto updates. The more upto date your browser is the more secure it should be.

If you're not sure how to do this or which version of the web browser you're on, below are a few links to the most common browsers

1. http://www.mozilla-europe.org/en/firefox/
2. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/Internet-explorer/default.aspx
3. http://www.google.co.uk/chrome
4. http://www.apple.com/safari/

News story on Safe internet shopping: http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-10405719-83.html