‘Think twice’ if you see a four-word warning in Google Chrome – you could be seconds away from a devastating hack, experts warn

A FOUR-word warning that appears when using Google Chrome can trigger a feeling of impending doom.

But experts have revealed how to protect your privacy while online – and avoid cybercriminals.

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Most of us would have stumbled upon a website that triggers a “your connection is not private” or “your connection is not secure” error message.

A computer security software company said this means your browser is confused about whether a website has secure encryption protocols.

So this leaves a question mark over the protection of your device and data, he added McAfeebased in San Jose, California.

The error “your connection is not private” is the Google Chrome phrase, he explained.

Other browsers may display “your connection is not secure” or a similar warning.

This can happen when using a computer, smartphone or tablet.

The good news is that the error is just a warning.

“This does not mean that any private information is compromised,” McAfee said.

It simply means that the website you were trying to visit does not have an up-to-date SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) security certificate.

This certificate prevents hackers from seeing or stealing any transferred information, including personal or financial data.

“It establishes an encrypted connection between your browser and the website you are visiting,” the company said.

This is particularly vital when, for example, you do online banking.

The way you’ll know it’s an SSL-secured website is that the web address starts with HTTPS, with the “s” standing for “secure.”

Or there may be a little padlock symbol in the address bar.

HOW TO FIX

If you are 100% sure the site or page is safe, there are ways to get around the warning.

For starters, you can refresh the page – in case the error message is just a temporary problem.

Or try closing your browser and reopening it.

HACK ALERT

But be very careful when trying to use a public Wi-Fi network.

“Hackers often exploit public Wi-Fi because their routers are often not as secure or well-maintained in terms of security,” McAfee said.

“Some public Wi-Fi networks may not support SSL connections.”

You should make sure you have the right website, as cybercriminals and scammers try to scam people through misspelled URLs or alternative URLs to the official versions.

Don’t forget to keep your critical software and operating system fully updated.

And, if you’ve tried all the troubleshooting tips and still see the error, the problem probably comes from the website itself.

“You will have the option to ‘proceed to the domain,’ although we do not recommend it,” the company added.

“The bottom line is that you take a risk every time you ignore a mistake like this.”

HOW TO PROTECT PRIVACY ONLINE:

• Use online protection software
• Use strong and unique passwords
• Delete unused browser extensions and apps
• Delete old accounts that still have your information
• Share less personal and private information on social media
• Use a VPN while online