What is HTTPS?
HTTPS allows you more security over an insecure network, such as open wireless networks. It’s important to connect through HTTPS when using email, social networks, or making purchases over the Internet.
If you don’t connect to websites through HTTPS, you are at risk for having your information stolen through malicious programs like Firesheep.
How can you tell if you’re secure?
Modern browsers will indicate when you’re on a website secured through HTTPS, but they all do it differently.
I prefer Chrome’s method.
Enabling HTTPS in Facebook
Facebook now has HTTPS functionality, but you need to enable it yourself, which is stupid but it’s better than nothing.
Hopefully Facebook will do the smart thing and default all users to HTTPS (like Gmail), however until then, you can do it yourself. Here’s how.
Note: Facebook frequently changes their user-interface. If these instructions become outdated, please contact me, and I will update them.
- Login to your Facebook account
- Click “Account” in the top right corner
- Select “Account Settings” from the drop down
- Click, “Account Security”
- Under “Secure Browsing (https), click the checkbox next to, “Browse Facebook on a secure connection (https) whenever possible”
- Click “Save”
Practice safe computing by connecting through HTTPS.
The Geek Whisperer 