224k views
5 votes
Having "https" in the address guarantees that the site is legitimate and secure.T/F

1 Answer

3 votes

Final answer:

The presence of "https" does not guarantee a site's legitimacy, only that it encrypts data; extra verification is necessary for security.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that having "https" in the address guarantees that the site is legitimate and secure is false. While https stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure and indicates that a website is using a secure connection to encrypt data, it does not automatically validate the legitimacy of the site's content or its operators. Cybercriminals can also obtain SSL/TLS certificates to enable HTTPS on their phishing sites, making them appear secure even though they are fraudulent.

When a website uses https, it means that all communications between your browser and the website are encrypted. This is important for protecting sensitive information, such as credit card numbers and passwords, when it is transmitted. However, it's always recommended to verify the site through other means, like checking for trusted reviews or looking for validation by legitimate organizations, especially before providing personal or financial information.

User Antonio Pantano
by
8.4k points