Jag - what is happening here relates to the site's security certificate.
- When you view a website, your computer communicates using a protocol called “hypertext transfer protocol" (HTTP).
- If a site is secure it uses a security certificate called SSL - this changes the URL from HTTP to HTTPS.
- This added security basically uses the certificate to prove the website's identity to browsers, and to verify that the site is following security protocols and will encrypt a user’s data moving forward.
- Decent browsers check certificates and identify an unsecured site as a risk as it is relatively easy for outsiders to get information from the site - any passwords, credit card details, bank details or personal information entered could be stolen by an attacker.
- If you look at the address for papermodelers.com you will see that the site starts with HTTP - it is, therefore, NOT claiming to be a secure site or using a security certificate.
- This is not an issue really as you will not be entering credit card or bank details or other personal information. Just ensure you use a unique password for this site in case it does get nicked!
Never provide credit card details, bank details or personal information to a site that displays the warning.
For an example of an HTTPS site where there should be no warning (because you are buying stuff) go to ecardmodels.
- https://www.ecardmodels.com/
- Note it is an HTTPS
- Note it has a lock to show it is secure.
- It, therefore, has a legit valid certificate and it is safe to enter secure information at this site.
Incidentally, if a site is an HTTPS but the certificate is no longer valid it will show as insecure - BEWARE!
Hope the above helps!