Which Of The Following Does A Secure Website Use To Safeguard Transmitted Information?

In 2024, the cost of data breaches is projected to exceed $5 trillion globally, highlighting the devastating financial and reputational impact of cyberattacks. With such high stakes, ensuring the security of your personal and financial data online is essential.

In this article, we will explore the key methods that secure websites use to protect the information exchanged between you and the website. 

Understanding Website Security

Website security involves the practices, technologies, and protocols that prevent unauthorized access, data breaches, and cyberattacks on a website. Without proper security, sensitive information such as credit card numbers, passwords, and personal details could be exposed to hackers.

A secure website protects not only the business hosting it but also the users interacting with it. Insecure websites, on the other hand, pose significant risks—data theft, identity theft, and fraud are just a few of the dangers associated with insecure websites.

Which Of The Following Does A Secure Website Use To Safeguard Transmitted Information?

1) Secure Socket Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS)

One of the cornerstones of web security is encryption, which ensures that any data exchanged between a user’s browser and the website remains private. The two most widely used encryption protocols are Secure Socket Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS).

• SSL is the older version of the two, but its security vulnerabilities have led to its deprecation.
• TLS is the modern, more secure version that is now used by nearly all websites.

SSL and TLS work by encrypting the communication channel between the user’s browser and the web server. This makes it impossible for third parties to eavesdrop or tamper with the data in transit.

2) HTTPS Protocol

When a website uses SSL/TLS encryption, it is often reflected in the website’s URL—indicated by “HTTPS” rather than “HTTP”. The “S” stands for “Secure”, signaling that the website is using SSL/TLS encryption to protect data.

So why is HTTPS important? 

HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) on its own does not encrypt data, meaning it is vulnerable to interception by cybercriminals. On the other hand, HTTPS ensures that any data sent between the user and the website is encrypted, offering protection from interception.

In addition to the “HTTPS” prefix, a small padlock icon will often appear in the browser’s address bar, further reassuring users that the website is secure.

3) Strong Encryption

While SSL/TLS protocols establish an encrypted connection, the strength of that encryption is also crucial. Websites use strong encryption algorithms—like Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) and RSA— to ensure that data is protected with the highest possible security.

For instance, AES-256 encryption provides a strong level of security by using a 256-bit key, making it extremely difficult for attackers to break the encryption and gain access to sensitive information.

4) Digital Certificates and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)

To ensure the legitimacy of a website, digital certificates play an important role. When a website uses SSL/TLS encryption, it typically requires a digital certificate, which verifies the website’s identity.

This is where Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) comes in. PKI ensures that the website’s identity is authenticated and verified by a trusted authority. It works by using a pair of cryptographic keys: a public key, which is shared with the browser, and a private key, which is securely kept by the website.

When a user visits a secure website, the website sends its digital certificate, allowing the user’s browser to confirm the website’s authenticity. This helps prevent “man-in-the-middle” attacks, where attackers try to impersonate legitimate websites.

5) Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

While encryption protects data during transmission, Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of security. MFA requires users to provide two or more verification factors to gain access to an account, such as a password combined with a fingerprint scan or one-time password (OTP) sent via text or email.

By implementing MFA, websites ensure that even if an attacker manages to obtain a user’s password, they cannot easily access the account without the additional authentication factors.

6) Hashing Algorithms

Another essential mechanism for protecting transmitted information is hashing. Hashing transforms data into a fixed-size string of characters (the hash), which is practically impossible to reverse. 

Hashing ensures the integrity of the transmitted data. This means that if the data is altered during transmission, the hash will no longer match, alerting the website or user to potential tampering.

Common hashing algorithms like SHA-256 ensure that even if someone intercepts the data, they cannot modify it without detection.

7) Message Authentication Code (MAC)

Along with hashing, a Message Authentication Code (MAC) can be used to verify both the integrity and authenticity of transmitted data. A MAC is a short piece of information generated from both the data and a secret key. It is sent along with the data to ensure that the recipient can verify that the data has not been altered and that it comes from a trusted source.

How Users Can Ensure They Are Visiting a Secure Website?

As a user, it’s important to know how to identify a secure website to ensure your data is protected. Here’s how:

• Look for HTTPS in the URL: Ensure the website uses HTTPS (not just HTTP), indicating it encrypts data transmitted between you and the server.
• Check for the Padlock Icon: A padlock symbol in the address bar signals that the website is secured with SSL/TLS encryption.
• Click on the Padlock for SSL Certificate Details: The padlock icon will show you information about the website’s SSL certificate which confirms the site’s identity and encryption.
• Ensure the Certificate is Issued by a Trusted Authority: The SSL certificate should be issued by a trusted Certificate Authority (CA), like Let’s Encrypt or DigiCert.
• Look for a Valid Certificate Expiry Date: Make sure the certificate hasn’t expired, as an expired certificate can indicate security risks.
• Verify the Website’s URL Domain: Be cautious of misspelled domains or unfamiliar domain extensions, as these could be phishing attempts.
• Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Use MFA for your accounts to add an extra layer of protection, especially on websites handling sensitive data.

Conclusion

Website security is an active process that requires participation from both businesses and users. With the increasing sophistication of cyber threats, staying one step ahead is crucial. The security protocols used by websites, such as SSL/TLS encryption and multi-factor authentication, play a vital role in keeping your data safe.

However, users must be proactive in recognizing secure websites and using best practices like strong passwords. Remember, website security is a shared responsibility between the business and the user—so don’t leave your protection to chance.