Topic: Problem ordering on-line

[Jayb]

I wanted to place an on-line order for a few seed varieties with Plants of Distinction last week, but when it came to checking out, I noticed they didn't have a padlock or S in the address bar when I went to fill in my payment details. When I clicked on the box for more information " the identity of this site has not been verified" came up.
What does it mean exactly and was I at risk if I hadn't noticed the padlock was missing?

[galina]

Did their email addy change at this point to begin with 'https' instead of 'http'?  I was told that was a sign of a secure transaction.

[BarriedaleNick]

HTTPS is encrypted while http is not.  In order to be able to serve web pages securely using https you need  a SSL certificate and you can only get one of these after various registrations and verifications are done.
If you enter any details when using http they are sent in plain text and potentially they can be read by third partes.  Also you cannot guarantee that the site is genuinely who they say they are.
So yes you may have exposed your details to someone else.  I note that the site does have a certificate in place so maybe it was a temp error. It is in place now
I don't think I would be too worried about it but it may be worth contacting the site just to ask if they had issues..

[Jayb]

Thanks B'Nick,  I forgot to add that after " the identity of this site has not been verified"  it also said 'the connection is not encrypted'. Which is why I didn't proceed, I checked a couple of times last week, same thing although as you say today it appears ok. Seems odd they would let their certificate run out? I thought I had emailed them and was waiting for a response, but I can't find it in my outbox! So is it safe to use now or better to snail trail it?

[BarriedaleNick]

The certificate is valid but I haven't been right through and bought anything.  I am sure it is fine - just make sure you are on https when entering details..

[Jayb]

Ta, very much.

[digmore]

If in doubt, don't. Once moneys gone its gone, plus your details get used.

Digmore.