How to decide if you can trust a Web site
Web sites can bring you a wealth of information and convenience. However, some Web sites can request personal information that you would rather keep private, display advertisements you do not want to see, or expose your computer to software that contains viruses or other security threats. How do you know which Web sites you can trust? It's difficult to be completely certain, but there are a few key things to look for.
- Is the Web site certified by an Internet trust organization such as BBBonline, TRUSTe, or WebTrust? Sites that display these logos have agreed to follow certain practices like providing a comprehensive privacy statement. If you read these statements, you should be able to determine what data the site collects and what the site does with that data (for example, you can find out whether they share your data with a third party or use it to display personalized advertisements). This logo does not mean that the site collects no data. It means that the privacy statement will tell you what data the site collects so you can decide if you want to use that Web site.
- Is the site from an organization you know and already trust (for example, a vendor you have a positive ongoing relationship with) or from a widely recognized brand or institution? The site should provide a privacy statement or a Terms of Use statement. Reading these statements should make it clear what will happen when you use the site. If you are not comfortable with the terms or behaviors (for example, if you would prefer not to be tracked or have advertisements presented and the organization indicates that it does either of those things), do not use the site.
- If you do not recognize the Web site and it does not have a trust logo , you should be cautious and thoroughly research the site before using its services. Research can include reading the site's disclosures, asking friends and colleagues you trust, and searching the Web for positive or negative articles about the site.
- If you are asked to provide sensitive personal data (such as your password, social security number, credit card number, or bank information), only do so if there is a valid reason and if the site uses a secure method to collect this data. Look for a statement indicating this information will be encrypted or look for the golden padlock symbol in your browser status area to indicate that the information will be transferred using secure methods.
- When making a purchase on a Web site , verify that the site has a posted return policy and that the terms are acceptable to you.
- You were referred to the site by e-mail from someone you don't know.
- The site contains objectionable material such as pornography.
- The site makes offers that seem too good to be true. Are they just trying to lure you to their site?
- You are asked to provide a credit card number but there is no indication that the Web site ensures the transaction is secure.
- The site offers free membership but asks you to provide extensive personal information that does not seem necessary or that you do not want to provide.
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