How Can I Tell If a Website is Safe?

As a user, you would want to visit a secure website that protects your data and serves your purpose in the best possible manner.

But, your chances of coming across a malicious website are increasing every day.

Google has researched on 4.5 million websites and found that 10% of them might end up injecting a trojan horse virus or lethal malware into your system.

However, we cannot stop surfing the internet merely for this reason. So, finding a way out is essential. In addition to reading useful internet security blogs, such as https://matterous.com/ for the latest information and advice, we are here to help you through it.

But, before we tell you how you can identify a site’s credibility, let us look at some of the repercussions of visiting an unsafe website:

Risks Associated with Unsafe Websites

Redirect traffic

When you visit an infected website, it might make you click some unsolicited links and redirect you to illegitimate websites full of malware.

Moreover, it can automatically install a virus in your system, which might later format your system or steal your information.

The best way to deal with such websites is by not clicking on any given link or anywhere.
Hackers can even mix codes in between texts that are most expected to get clicked.

Data theft

To break free of the hassle of entering their username, password, bank details, and credit card details, users resort to auto-sign in options.

Such actions allow hackers the doorway to cybercrime. They exploit such accounts by auto-generating the username and passwords.

Once they enter the account, they start stealing the credit card/debit card information and bank details, after which they can create clones of bank details and shop under your name or steal all your money from your bank account.

Data thefts are quite prominent these days, which is why users must avoid auto-sign-in options for a mere convenience that can later prove to be catastrophic.

False claims

No agency can figure out which website is making false claims regarding its products or services and which one is not.

Here is where common sense comes into play. You need to invest some time in analyzing the website’s behavior upon your visit.

Is it asking you to click on pages that you didn’t even ask for? If yes, then such websites are not authentic.

They might make you click on unsolicited links and ask for your sensitive information.
So, do not fall for such false claims.

Tips to figure out whether a website is legit or not.

1. Check if the site uses secure encryption (HTTPS)

HTTPS or Hypertext Transfer Protocol is an essential security technology that encrypts the data transfer and makes it secure.

But HTTPS cannot do it independently, which is why it collaborates with an SSL certificate.
SSL or Secure Socket Layer certificate helps HTTPS create a secure network between the client and the server for communication.

SSL uses symmetric and asymmetric cryptographic functions and public, private, and sessions key to secure the connection and keep cybercriminals at bay.

The best part about this certificate is that you do not have to spend a fortune on it, because even the cheapest SSL certificate works well.

2. Check for a website’s privacy policy.

A website’s privacy policy shows how serious its owner is regarding the safety of his customer’s data and privacy.

Nearly all websites have a privacy policy that contains information related to data storage, usage, and consumption.

If you want to know how a website uses your data, look for its privacy policy section.
Before sharing your sensitive data like email, phone, address, bank, debit/credit card details to the website, we recommend you to read its privacy policy.

3. Find out who owns the site.

Once you visit a website, it is essential to know who owns it so that if you need any assistance, at least there is someone to look up to.

A “Contact us” section might not catch your attention upon visiting a website but, it is imperative, especially if you are purchasing products from a website.

A genuine website always mentions a phone number, email address and physical address as well.

It cares about its user experience and is open to assistance, whereas a fraud website might not mention an actual physical address and a phone number.

Also, a genuine website’s email address starts with info@yoursite.com or contact@yoursite.com, not something like abc123@gami.com.

4. Verify the trust seal

Trust seals are often an indication that the website uses a legit security agent that authenticates its credibility.

However, some malicious websites might get a fake trust seal to deceive its users; the best way to verify its credibility is by clicking on it.

If it takes you to a page where you can see information like the last malware scan, seal expiry, and general information, then the seal partner is legit.

But, if you are unable to click on it then, there is a problem.

5. Know the signs of a website malware

If you want to differentiate a legitimate website from a malicious one, the best way to do that is by paying attention to its pop-ups.

Do they sound weird to you? Are they telling you that you can earn $100,000 just by spinning a wheel?

Well, that is a malicious website.

Moreover, malicious ads are also quite prominent these days. Hackers show ads containing celebrities asking you to click the ad.

Cybercriminals also create clone websites that contain all the information of its original counterparts like logo, name, contact information, and even the UX design.

So, beware of where you click.

To Conclude

Cybercrimes are increasing every day but, it is not entirely on hackers to steal your information.

You also play a prominent part in the process.

Lack of awareness makes cybercriminals exploit users every day. If one notices simple things like the site’s contact information, legitimacy of its SSL certificate, and trust seal, they can easily repel hacking attempts.

Moreover, users should avoid sharing sensitive information quickly; they must verify a site’s overall structure by reading its privacy policy.

By following the tips mentioned above, we bet you will never fall victim to a cybercrime. So, integrate them into your website surfing habits today.