Verifying SSL Encryption

[confused]

In the past I have depended on the happy friendly "padlock
icon" in MS Internet Explorer to determine whether or not
a particular site is using SSL encryption to process
financial transactions, but I am becoming concerned over
the icon's appearance as a reliable indicator.

It seems to me that there may be secure sites that do not
display the icon, but much worse, the possibility of
insecure sites that DO show the icon.

Is there any way of checking for SSL compliance other than
counting on the whether or not the icon is there?

I greatly appreciate your replies. Thank you.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Surfing securely with IE 6
http://support.microsoft.com/defaul...de/en-gb/secureie.asp#XSLTSection126121121120

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx

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:

| In the past I have depended on the happy friendly "padlock
| icon" in MS Internet Explorer to determine whether or not
| a particular site is using SSL encryption to process
| financial transactions, but I am becoming concerned over
| the icon's appearance as a reliable indicator.
|
| It seems to me that there may be secure sites that do not
| display the icon, but much worse, the possibility of
| insecure sites that DO show the icon.
|
| Is there any way of checking for SSL compliance other than
| counting on the whether or not the icon is there?
|
| I greatly appreciate your replies. Thank you.