Is sheilds.org Safe to Use?

Based on the information available on its website and public domain records, sheilds.org appears to be a safe platform for users interested in health and safety training.

The safety of an online service encompasses data security, transactional integrity, and the legitimacy of its offerings.

Sheilds.org addresses these points through its operational transparency, secure connections, and clear service descriptions.

Data Security and Privacy Practices

The website demonstrates an awareness of data privacy, which is a crucial aspect of online safety.

• Cookie Management: Sheilds.org provides a detailed cookie management section, allowing users to accept, reject, or customize their cookie preferences. They categorize cookies into “essential” and “non-essential” and list the external services that use them (e.g., Google Analytics, Microsoft Bing, Google Webfonts, Google Maps, reCaptcha, Vimeo, YouTube). This level of transparency and control is a positive indicator of respecting user data.
• Privacy Policy Mention: Although not directly linked prominently from the footer, the cookie settings refer to a “Privacy Policy Page.” A comprehensive privacy policy typically outlines how user data is collected, stored, processed, and shared, which is essential for user trust.
• SSL Certificate: While not explicitly stated on the homepage, a reputable website handling user data (like login credentials or payment information) would utilize an SSL certificate to encrypt data transmitted between the user’s browser and the server. The domain report indicates “DNSSEC: unsigned,” which refers to DNS Security Extensions and is different from an SSL certificate for website encryption. A typical secure website would use HTTPS, which is generally implied by professional platforms. Users should always check for the padlock icon in their browser’s address bar.

Transactional Safety

When it comes to financial transactions, sheilds.org mentions payment plans and clearly states price ranges, implying that secure payment gateways are in place.

• Klarna Payment Plans: The mention of Klarna for UK payments suggests the integration of a recognized third-party payment provider, which typically employs robust security measures for financial transactions.
• Price Transparency: Clear price ranges for courses in different currencies (£, AED, R) are provided, reducing ambiguity and potential for hidden costs. Users should always verify the exact course price and any additional fees (e.g., exam fees) before committing.
• No Direct Payment Gateway Details: The website doesn’t explicitly detail its internal payment gateway security protocols, but relying on established third-party services like Klarna generally ensures transactional safety.

Legitimacy of Services Offered

The primary safety concern for educational platforms is whether the certifications and training provided are legitimate and recognized.

• Accredited Provider Claims: Sheilds.org repeatedly highlights its status as an approved training center for leading awarding bodies (NEBOSH, IOSH, IEMA, ProQual). If these claims are verifiable through the respective awarding bodies’ official websites, then the educational services themselves are legitimate and valuable.
• Long Operational History: The domain’s creation date in 2002 (over 20 years ago) significantly reduces the likelihood of it being a scam. Fraudulent operations typically have a much shorter lifespan.
• Physical Presence and Contact Information: The provision of detailed physical addresses and multiple direct contact numbers for international offices demonstrates a legitimate and accessible business operation, providing recourse for any issues.

Overall Assessment of Safety

Considering the combination of detailed contact information, stated accreditations, a long operational history, and transparent cookie practices, sheilds.org appears to be a safe platform for its intended purpose.

Users should still exercise standard online safety practices, such as ensuring their browser indicates a secure connection (HTTPS) when logging in or making payments, and independently verifying accreditations if they have specific concerns. revive-uk.com Pricing