Seeing the green address bar that displays when you visit a website that has an Extended Validation SSL certificate is the only true indication that your information is safe.  We all love the “Better Business Bureau” and “PayPal Checkout”, or the tags that show Visa/Mastercard/Discover, etc...but they really don’t mean much.  You’d be surprised (or mad) at how easy it is to get these things.  They are pictures and graphics, and nothing more. 

In the day and age we’re in, you need confirmation by an AUDITED and TRUSTED 3rd party that the sites and the people you encounter on the web are legitimate and trusted.  These trusted 3rd parties are your CA’s (certificate authorities). 

If you aren’t able to verify WHO you are sending information to, you should not be sending it.  Do not shop on or send sensitive information unless an Extended Validation SSL certificate is present.  Consider yourself warned, because the number of phishing attacks and acts of fraud are certain to get worse before they get better.  In response, the team at thegreenaddressbar.com is currently working on an Extended Validation shopping portal.  Only sites that hold an Extended Validation SSL will be listed, so you can enjoy a safe and secure online shopping experience.  Check back or send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it requesting notification of when this portal goes live.