There are many scams out there and as more Brits access the web via phones, or links from within Whatsapp, FB or TikTik, there are rising risks of being directed to a scam website. Here’s the word from Everywhen;
With the online environment becoming ever more dangerous, it pays to know how to check if a website is safe, before visiting it. Clicking on a dodgy website link can lead to real problems, from damaging malware infections to identity theft. Insurance group, Everywhen, has come up with a guide specifically designed to highlight ways to identify potentially dangerous websites.
A spokesperson for Everywhen said: “Cyber criminals use fake websites designed to steal personal information, install malicious software and trick the unwary into revealing sensitive information. Various methods are used including phishing scams, which are fake sites that mimic real websites and are designed to steal login details, malware downloads that infect devices and fake e-commerce sites that trap people into paying for products that are never received.
“Our guide, developed by our cyber experts, outlines six steps that can provide some protection for businesses and individuals against these increasingly dangerous threats.”
Step 1: Inspect the URL carefully. A website’s URL can reveal a lot about how secure it is. Before clicking on a URL, always hover over the URL to preview where it’s going and make sure it matches what is expected. If it looks off, or it doesn’t match, don’t click. Be on the alert for suspicious domains that have misspellings, extra characters or strange extensions. For example, “go0gle.com”.
Check whether the site uses HTTPS or HTTP. HTTPS is a secured version of HTTP, which has been encrypted. This means only the person accessing the site and the website’s server has access to the data. It cannot be intercepted. Look out for the padlock symbol to check that the connection is secure. A padlock doesn’t always mean the website is safe, but no padlock at all is a big red flag.
Step 2: Use a website safety checker tool. These tools scan websites for threats and advise if it is safe to visit. They are not only quick and reliable, they are usually free. Google Safe Browsing and Norton Safe Web* are two popular choices and are regularly updated to keep ahead of new threats. Google Safe Browsing can also advise if a site has been blacklisted for malicious activity.
Step 3: Look for contact information and ‘about’ pages. A website is basically a business’s shopfront. If it’s trustworthy, users would normally be able to easily find essential company information, such as an address, or phone number and links to social media. The website’s ‘About’ page should include the company’s story. If a website seems vague, think twice before engaging.
Step 4: Check for reviews and reputation. Before trusting a website, see what others have to say. Head to review platforms like TrustPilot and Google Reviews ** to see what other customers experienced when using the website. If there are several bad reviews, and they mention fraud or poor service, steer clear.
Step 5: Inspect the website design and content quality. One of the most obvious signs of a fake website is a lack of attention to detail. Be alert for poor grammar and spelling, broken links, outdated branding and blurry images. Internet users should trust their instincts. If something seems off, don’t click.
Step 6: Use antivirus and browser security features. Antivirus software is the first line of defence against cyberattacks. It blocks malicious downloads and phishing attempts, so it’s important to keep it updated. Most modern browsers can provide security alerts for unsafe sites. They can be accessed in software settings.
* Website safety checker tools:
https://transparencyreport.google.com/safe-browsing/search?hl=enand
** Websites for checking reviews and reputation:
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