Re: "How to check that a connection is secure"



Look for the padlock icon next to the address eg:

[cid:[log in to unmask]] or [cid:[log in to unmask]]



Then click on the padlock and it will tell you “Connection is secure”.

[cid:[log in to unmask]]





Note however that if you’ve followed a link from a phishing email then you may have a secure connection to a fraudster’s website!



That’s why the number one rule is to never click on links in emails. Instead copy the address from the bank’s official communications. That’s the thing that makes sure you’re connecting to the right people, and from there the bank will make sure that the connection is using https to prevent anyone from intercepting your password.



The site you pointed to isn’t useful for your use case. It would be useful if you wanted to buy something on a website but you don’t quite trust that website  so you don’t want to give them your real credit card details in case they steal everything you’ve got (or in case they get hacked by someone else).



In this case though, your patron does trust the bank. The bank is highly unlikely to get hacked. The bank’s website will automatically use a secure connection. So all your patron needs to do is make sure they go to the bank’s website, not some scammer’s. They don’t need any fancy extra services. They just need to know:



Never click on links in emails. Only use the address from the bank’s official communications.



Deborah





-----Original Message-----
From: Code for Libraries <[log in to unmask]> On Behalf Of charles meyer
Sent: Thursday, October 12, 2023 1:51 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [CODE4LIB] VPNs - free to low cost



Caution: This email originated from outside our organisation. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.





Erich - and etal,



Fascinating conversation.



Really appreciate it.



I'm left still wondering how to learn how to check that a connection is secure with a valid certificate?



It seems a VPN would just keep where you visit private but little to  no protection from fraudsters.



I'm exploring https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fprivacy.com%2F&data=05%7C01%7Cdeborah.fitchett%40LINCOLN.AC.NZ%7C9d53e91889f14084959e08dbcabd8e36%7C2ed27e5845164f9ca79794374d2e74c7%7C0%7C0%7C638326687712645251%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=JD5h0twDh1eq7sNEBJCB1%2F6ZUG%2FkZn9PkybvpivB4tQ%3D&reserved=0<https://privacy.com/> as a protection against fraudsters.



I suggested if the patron's banker will allow the to pay their credit card online bank on the brick and mortar's computer they would be better protected than getting a VPN.



Thank you all.



Charles.

________________________________

"The contents of this e-mail (including any attachments) may be confidential and/or subject to copyright. Any unauthorised use, distribution, or copying of the contents is expressly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please advise the sender by return e-mail or telephone and then delete this e-mail together with all attachments from your system."