How can you identify trustworthy websites?

• A. HTTP only, no certificate, no privacy policy.
• B. HTTPS, a valid site certificate, a reputable domain, privacy policies, and credible contact information.
• C. Any site with pop-up ads.
• D. Sites with questionable contact info.

Answer: (B)

Identifying trustworthy websites comes down to signals that show both secure connections and responsible handling of your information. A site that uses HTTPS with a valid certificate helps protect any data you send or receive by encrypting it, and you can usually see this as a padlock icon in the address bar. But encryption alone isn’t enough—it's important that the certificate is valid and issued by a trusted authority, and that the domain name matches the organization behind the site.

Beyond security, trustworthy sites provide clear, accessible information about how they handle your data. A privacy policy explains what data is collected, how it’s used, and who it’s shared with. Credible contact information, such as a real physical address and a working phone number or customer support channel, shows accountability and gives you a way to reach the organization.

So the best choice combines these signals: a secure HTTPS connection with a valid site certificate, a reputable domain, a transparent privacy policy, and credible contact details. The other options miss one or more of these important trust signals—such as relying on a site with no encryption, or sites that have misleading or absent contact information.