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Real-life comparison to non-SSL transactions?

  • 29-06-2009 10:23am
    #1
    cfitz
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,691 ✭✭✭


    Could anyone knowledgable here give me an example that would be the real-life equivalent of buying something off of a website that does not have SSL for taking credit card information?

    Just how dangerous is it - suppose the selling company themselves were fairly trustworthy, just didn't realise they needed SSL - would it be like scribbling your credit details on bathroom walls? Or more like calling out your credit card details over the phone while in a busy supermarket? Or what?

    Thanks!


Comments

  • #2
    JimmyCrackCorn!
    Closed Accounts Posts: 752 ✭✭✭JimmyCrackCorn!


    SSL has a dual function

    1. Establish trust
    2. Encrypt the transaction

    Its not the equivalent of writing it on the wall but do you trust every network that your information crosses between here and the alleged website.(also unverified)

    Without SSL you could be talking to servers in china and not know the difference. Or it could have a 3rd party listing in without any warning.

    While i haven't given you specific examples it should be fairly clear why a valid ssl cert is important.

    I personally would not enter my credit card info into anywhere that hasnt a valid ssl cert and doesnt have a good reputation.


  • #3
    flav0rflav
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 491 ✭✭flav0rflav


    The internet is like a middle-man.

    So the comparison would be with doing business through a third party that really doesn't have anything to do with the buyer or seller. Without some form of security the buyer won't know the exact details of the seller and the middle man could abuse the credit card details passing through his hands.

    It's like passing your credit card to a guy on the street who says he'll buy stuff in Argos for you. (Ok, he might have an eircom/BT/Smart/NTL van/uniform.)


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