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does https always mean https ?

14 years ago

Hi,

After some searching I found that AOL mail has a beta site now using (supposedly) full-time SSL encryption. (For those with AOL accounts, you can access it -- hopefully -- at the link below.) I have been able to log in there and try out the beta site a bit, but I noticed that, although the address bar shows "https," Firefox doesn't highlight the site name ("aol") the same way it does for other secure sites (like Gmail, Hushmail, etc.).

I also just noticed, btw, that the 'secure' Wikipedia site does the same thing: it shows https in the address bar without the highlighted identity (?) or certificate (?) information at the left of it.

So, since I'm concerned about just how secure a site like my email might be, I'm wondering... is there any way for a site to make itself look like it's providing a secure, https connection without it really doing so ? Or is there some sort of 'inferior' version of SSL ? Something more than bare http but not "fully" https ?

Here is a link that might be useful: AOL Secure Beta

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Comments (5)

bob414
14 years ago
In my firefox the site is highlighted and and clicking on the key shows it to be verified by verisign.
bob414
14 years ago
I meant to add that I do not know the answer to your question.
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not2bright
Original Author
14 years ago
Hi, Bob

Thanks for the reply and the screen shot, but I think you may have misunderstood. Your shot seems to be of the login page (with the red key). I'm referring to the actual webmail interface after you log in. (See link below.)

Notice that the site icon at the left of my address bar is now no longer highlighted (colored) as at the login page in your image. But the address itself still shows httpS. Plus, the tool tip underneath the address bar shows an uncertain source. I don't know if that means there is some problem with the actual beta AOL SSL connection (that it's somehow 'not as good/secure') or if it's only 'unverified' for some reason (not sure why, if it's source is the same as the security for the login).

Not a big deal for me, since I really don't use AOL much if at all (nor Yahoo, for the same reason: no full-session SSL). But if they are implementing it (finally) I might start using it more, so I thought I'd ask about how trustworthy it is as it stands.

Here is a link that might be useful:
bob414
14 years ago
I did misunderstand (didn't read it carefully actually). I'm interested in the answer to your question about whether an https can be faked.
not2bright
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks, Bob

Of course, in my original post I really should not have used the word "fake." Although I am interested in whether a site could fake a secure connection (including the https in the address), my main concern is whether a reputable site (which I wouldn't think of accusing of trying to 'put something over' on its users security-wise) could, nevertheless, have an apparently secure connection (according to the https in the address) but not have "true," "real," "full" https security. So, with my beta AOL webmail example: FF doesn't seem to recognize the 'secure' connection despite the 'https' in the address bar. What should I make of that ?

I'm sure anyone reading this knew the above is what I meant in my original post, but I just wanted to clarify that anyway. :-)

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