Below are instructions with steps on how to verify SSL certificate used by a website on an Internet Explorer web browser. Please note that you cannot verify security certificate on Internet Explorer Edge version.
1) Type URL you want to verify into an Internet Explorer address bar.
2) Make sure that URL starts with https:// and that lock button is displayed at the end of an address bar.
3) In order to view the certificate, you need to click on a lock button on the right side of the address bar.
4) After clicking on it, you will see a small pop-up window with the certificate details.
5) In order to see actual details of an entity which registered the certificate, you have to click on “View certificates” link at the bottom of this window.
6) To open full certificate details click on a triangle next to “Details”.
7) Look at the information about certificate owner and make sure that it looks legit and matches an owning entity of the website. If you have any suspicion about information in the certificate contact customer support of the website in question.
SSL
Verify site security in Google Chrome
Below are instructions with steps on how to verify SSL ceritificate used by a website on a Google Chrome web browser.
1) Type URL you want to verify into an address bar.
2) Make sure that URL starts with https:// or that lock bar and “Secure” word are displayed in front of the website address.
3) Click on three dots icon located in the right top corner of the Google Chrome browser to open a menu.
4) Select “More Tools” and then “Developer tools” in a menu.
5) You should see a Google Chrome browser window split into two parts with Developer Tools tabs displayed.
6) In Developer tools part of the Google Chrome window select Security tab.
7) In the security tab you will see information about the site security certificate (if any).
8) Click on “View Certificate” button to see details of the website certificate.
Avoid phishing attacks
Below are several simple methods to avoid common types of phishing attacks:
Check that site uses SSL
Do not enter personal information to the website unless it uses an encrypted connection. To check if website uses encrypted connection you need to look at your browser address bar and verify that lock icon is displayed next to a website name. Also website URL should start with “https://” instead of “http://”
Check links
Make sure that links that you click are pointing to a place where you want to go. Hover over a link to make sure it is pointing to a website that you want to go to. Be suspicious of any e-mail which requires you to click something. It is always better to enter URL directly instead of clicking on it. There are certain cases where clicking on a link from e-mail is a valid scenario but typically these e-mails are generated only when you perform some action on a website which generated an e-mail (for example activation e-mail is sent when you register to a website). So you should always be in control on what e-mails are coming to your inbox and what you click on.
Avoid pop-up windows
None of pop-up windows will lead you to something good. If you see a pop-up window close it using small X button in the right top corner (for the Windows OS) and red x button in the left top corner (for the OS X).
Update your browser and Antivirus
Make sure that your browser and antivirus is up to date. New types of attacks appear every day and having latest software will help you to avoid attacks which were just fixed by browser and antivirus developers.
Check your online accounts
Make a habit of checking your online accounts regularly. This will help you to have hackers red-handed and react to attacks before they even started.