“More than half of government websites are not secure’ – RTL News

More than half of the websites of the government does not use a secure connection. Therefore sensitive data of visitors in the hands of malicious attackers fall.

That is apparent from examination of the Open State Foundation, a non-profit organization ‘transparency in politics wants to increase’. In total, there were 1816 websites examined, of which only 44 percent of a secured https connection is using.

Such a secure connection you will recognize in the browser to a green padlock. An https connection ensures that attackers are not able to meegluren which website pages you visit and what information you send, such as your social security number or home address.

Authority and UWV

Among other things, the websites of the Authority, the UWV, the Healthcare Inspectorate and the Dutch embassies in Afghanistan, Ukraine and Turkey are not on a secure https connection.

research by RTL News showed earlier that the security of dozens of gemeentesites not in order, allowing an attacker sensitive data loot. With that information, among other easier for identity fraud to be committed.

Poorly configured https

Even though it will use a https connection, then this must still be properly configured. In accordance with the Open State Foundation of the 797 government websites with an https connection 108 pcs not configured correctly, allowing visitors to still run unnecessary risks by 62 per cent of all government sites.

TIPS FOR SURFING WITHOUT HTTPS

For web sites without an https connection, it is important that you have no sensitive data, such as your home address, credit card number or social security number enter. Also log on to a website without protection connection is not recommended.

in Addition, the public eye due to the lack of an https connection to see which pages you visit a website. Also this can lead to a serious breach of privacy.

Among other things, the https-connection of the regional rental tribunal, where your personal details and social security number need to enter, is not sufficiently secure.

Simple procedure

"forcing https is an important standard for government websites", says Arjan El Fassed, executive director of Open State Foundation, which is a website created to show the status of the security of government websites.

Rejo Zenger of burgerrechtenorganisatie Bits of Freedom, does not understand why the government still does not fully make use of https connections: “It is a very simple procedure that allows the government a good example can give.”