I just had a light bulb turned on for me, and so I am asking this question. Why is this quilting board not a secure site? I love coming here, but, since I just found out, that if the URL at the top of the site, does not have an S after http, it is not a secure site. Any opinions or discussions on this point? I would hate to give it up, but I am not sure that my computer is safe without secure settings, and now I can understand why I have had a lot of problems recently. Maybe not all due to here, but surely some of them are.

It's my understanding that you only need a secure site if you are doing a financial transaction like a purchase with a credit card or using a site like Paypal.

I have never had any trouble with this site.

The security is needed if you are purchasing something or providing private information ... we don't do either here.

You need to ensure that if you are providing financial or private information to an online site, that you know who you are providing that to. Sites that have secure areas have proven to an independent body, that they are who they say they are. That information is then available to you by clicking on the site lock icon - this is the secure certificate information - who issued the certificate, who it was issued to.

This is different than the settings on your computer and also different from the security settings on your browser. Your computer is protected by a firewall (to keep the bad guys out) and software (anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti-malware, etc).

Your browser (the program you access the internet with) also has security settings - pop-up blockers, "safe sites" etc.

One of the reasons we use 'screen names' and do not put email addresses or home addresses in our posts, is that this IS a public site, available for the whole world to view. Having a 'secure' site would not prevent access to anyone.

Hope this helps!

anyone can read what's on here.

only registered members can post on here.

it is sensible to only post things that one is willing to have the whole world see here (or on any other unsecured site, for that matter)

I AM FAIRLY NEW HERE SINCE FEBRUARY AND I HAVE NOT HAD ONE PROBLEM WITH THE SITE

Thanks for the info, it makes me feel better. I am always willing to learn and try to understand something that has puzzled me. Appreciate the responses.

that was my understanding as well

No, financial transactions do not take place here so no need for it to be secure, but this board can be read by anyone, so please be mindful about what you post in terms of personal information. It makes me nervous when I see people post photos of quilt labels with very specific info on them or someone's full name & location. I have seen quilters post very personal information on here probably not realizing that anyone could see it, not just us nice quilters! Paranoid? Maybe a bit, but better safe than sorry in this big world!