If you've never thought about how safe your information is while browsing the web, then it's time to start thinking about it. One of the best ways to ensure your safety is by visiting sites that use HTTPS, a protocol that helps keep your data secure when you're online.

If you shop online like many people, you need to make sure that the site’s payment page has HTTPS in its URL. Otherwise, entering your personal and financial information on this page can expose you to risks such as identity theft. Read on to find out why HTTPS makes for a safer online browsing experience.

Most people don’t question the padlock icon that sometimes appears in their web browser’s address bar. If you’re one of those who didn’t know, it’s a security feature that authenticates websites and protects the information users submit to them.