So many dodgy websites, so little time. While there are many legitimate websites, we need to be careful to avoid the sketchy ones. In this article, we’ve listed 7 easy ways to check if a website is secure. Let’s get started.
1. Check for the padlock & HTTPS
When you first visit a website, check the address bar for the padlock symbol and/or the HTTPS at the beginning of the website’s URL. HTTPS stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure and is used to show that a website is using encryption to secure the data between your browser and the website. This is particularly important for websites that store your details or allow you to make payments.
What to look for:
- Look for the “https:” at the start of the URL or website name.
- There will be a padlock icon in your browser’s address bar.
If a website is only showing http, remember that it’s not using encryption so don’t enter any personal information.
2. Check the website’s URL
The URL is the full name of the website, and you can find it in the address bar. Cybercriminals often create fake websites that can look like real websites to try to fool you into giving your info.
What to look for:
- Check the spelling of the domain name or website name in the URL. A simple example is when a fake URL uses a “0” instead of “O”, like “will0wbesecure” instead of “willowbesecure”.
- Avoid clicking links in emails from people you don’t know. You can hover over the link to check the actual URL BEFORE clicking.
Wherever possible, enter the website’s name directly in your browser to ensure that you are visiting the correct website.
3. Put on your investigator hat
If you’re not sure about a website, do a little research online about it. Check the reviews and online reputation of the website to see if there’s any strange behaviour or bad reviews about the site.
What to look for:
- Using your favourite search engine, enter the website’s name + “scam” or “reviews”.
- Check if there are any contact options on the website. Legitimate websites will have ways to contact them, such as a contact form.
This is particularly important if the website is asking for your personal or payment info – avoid those scams!
4. Embrace your inner designer and evaluate the website’s design and content
Scammers love will often create fake websites that look like they were created in the 90s and contain strange content.
What to look for:
- Check the website for typos or grammatical errors.
- Take note of inconsistent branding or an outdated website design.
If the website looks like it hasn’t been updated since the creation of the internet, you may need to reconsider your choice of website.
5. Too many website pop-ups
There is such a thing as too many ads. Most secure websites don’t bombard you with excessive ads or pop-ups.
What you can do:
- Try not to click on pop-ups requesting personal information.
- Consider using an ad-blocker to reduce your risk of encountering malicious ads.
Remember that hackers can use pop-ups to download malicious apps and files on your device, so be careful.
6. Secure payments only
We are all familiar with online shopping which requires you to enter your payment information. ALWAYS check that the website has a secure payment method BEFORE entering your details.
What you can do:
- Check for the https and valid SSL certificate before entering your payment information.
- Look for trusted payment processors like PayPal or Stripe before attempting to make a purchase.
There are many legitimate payment processors available online. Take a minute to check which are available in your country before checking out.
7. Use your browser’s security features
Most web browsers have advanced so much that they now include incredible security features to help you stay safe online. These features can warn you about unsafe sites to help you before it is too late.
What you should do:
- In your browser’s settings, enable the available security settings.
- When you are browsing, take note of warnings that the site may be harmful. These warnings will help you avoid a potentially malicious website.
And don’t forget to do your updates! They usually include security patching to further increase your online safety.
Enjoy your browsing
Now you should be able to easily identify secure websites. Enjoy your browsing, stay safe online, and share with your family and friends. Be secure!
