How to Tell if a Site is Secure: an 11-Step Guide

The one thing that scares online users is scam sites. These sites can be planted with hacking links and bugs, can eat up your data storage, and more. Cybersecurity is the most wanted and needed measure for websites and online platforms.

Websites can have sneaky links that pop up on their own. For example, you must have seen constant unwanted pop-ups occurring when you watch a movie through an online or illegal movie-watching platform. That is one thing users must avoid.

Here, we will help you learn about cybersecurity and best practices with 11 effective steps to stay safe online. Let’s get started.

Why Do I Need to Have a Secure Website

Whenever you visit a website and see a secure padlock next to the URL, it means that the website is protected. While some people believe that this is only important for online stores that collect personal and credit card information, that’s not the case.

Since 2018, website security has been a ranking factor in search engines such as Google. As a result, your website needs a security certificate to have a better chance of appearing among the top search results. Additionally, secure websites instill confidence in your audience, making them more inclined to engage in business with you.

Here is an interesting read: 20 Website Layouts to Make Strong First Impressions in 2024.

How do you tell if a Site is Secure?

Now that you know why a secure website is important, we will look into helpful ways to check if a website is secure.

1. What to know when you visit an unsafe website

The best way to avoid fake websites is to be familiar with the warning signs of an unsafe site. Most modern web browsers are built to make browsing the internet easier and more secure. If you happen upon a site with known safety issues, your browser will typically alert you with a full-screen warning about the potential dangers of continuing to that page.

These warnings may indicate that your connection is not secure or that you are about to visit a deceptive site. If you encounter one of these warnings, it’s best to close the window or select “back to safety” to steer clear of a potentially unsafe site. If you are certain that a site is safe, you can click “Advanced” to proceed.

2. Website Checkers are Helpful

If your browser didn’t warn you about a site but still doesn’t feel safe sharing your data or credentials or making a purchase, you can double-check it using a site checker. A website safety checker, such as Google’s Safe Browsing site status page, informs you if a website is not safe or if a previously trustworthy site has been ruined or has unsafe features.

If you leave an address in a URL checker and it shows that a site may not be secure, close the site and don’t visit it again until other checks rule out that it’s not dangerous.

Do you own multiple websites? Here is a blog that will help you out: Mastering the Art of Managing Multiple Sites (+5 Effective Tips).

3. SSL certificate

A Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) is a digital certificate that verifies a website’s legitimacy and provides encryption to safeguard personal and financial data. For a website to have an SSL, it needs to prove its identity to the certificate issuer. You can simply check if a website has an SSL by looking at the address bar when you visit the site. Here’s what to look for:

• The URL starts with “https://,” and the “s” at the end of “HTTP” represents that the connection is secure.
• The left side of the address bar has a lock icon, which indicates a secure connection. Click on the lock for more details and points about the website’s safety measures.

If a website doesn’t have an SSL, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s unsafe. It might be okay to browse the site, but sharing personal information may not be secure.

This is a fun read that will spark ideas and creativity in your mind: 12 Modern Website Design Trends: Your Guide for 2025.

4. Privacy Policies are Crucial

Have you ever visited a website that claimed to be secure, but you were unsure what that actually meant? There is an easy way to determine if a website is trustworthy and to understand how it protects you and your data: read its privacy policy.

Most websites have privacy policies because of legal requirements, but they also provide the quickest way to learn about the data the site can gather from you and how it can be used. You can typically find the privacy policy linked in the bottom footer of the website or by using the site’s search function.

When reading a privacy policy, look for:

• Clear language that explains what information is collected from users and how it is collected
• An overview of how the site safeguards your information
• Clarity on who has access to the collected information
• Options to review the information that the site has collected
• Options to opt out of data collection
• Information about the duration for which the site will retain your information
• The site provides contact information to ensure transparency in how to reach them. If a site doesn’t have a privacy policy, it may mean that it doesn’t collect any data or doesn’t want to let you know what information it is collecting.

Learn more: All You Need to Know About Microsites.

5. Reviews of the Site

If you’re visiting a new website and you’re unsure about its security or trustworthiness, reading reviews can help you understand what others think. Simply go to your preferred search engine, type in the website’s name, and add “reviews” to your search query. Reviews can give you a good idea of whether a website is safe or not, as people are often keen to share their experiences and warnings about scams or unauthorized sharing of personal information.

Learn more: The Cost to Build a Website for a Small Business in 2024: Everything You Need to Know.

6. Odd Design and Spelling Errors

Be cautious when visiting websites with design issues and spelling or grammatical errors, as these could be indicators of an unsafe site. Pharming attacks and spoofed sites aim to deceive you into providing personal and financial information by resembling trusted sites. However, scammers often make mistakes in the content and functionality of these sites.

If you notice changes in the appearance of a familiar webpage, misspelled words, or unusual language, it may signify that you are on an unsafe site. In such cases, close the browser window, clear your history, cookies, and caches, and then revisit the site. If the site appears as usual, it likely means you were on a scam site.

7. Contact Information

The presence of contact information on a website doesn’t guarantee its safety, but it does indicate that there are real people behind it who are willing to assist you with any queries you may have. If you feel uncertain about a website or if you’re hesitant to provide your financial details to an unfamiliar company, it’s wise to contact them using the contact information provided. The website may offer alternative payment methods that you feel more secure using.

If a website doesn’t readily display its contact information, it could be an oversight, particularly for newer sites. However, it might also indicate that the website owner prefers not to be contacted, possibly due to questionable practices.

8. Pop-Ups

It’s important to recognize when a website has too many pop-ups. If the pop-ups make it difficult to navigate the site, there are definitely too many. Additionally, if you encounter multiple pop-ups that have nothing to do with the website you’re trying to visit, it could be a sign that the website is unsafe.

Here are some types of pop-ups to avoid:

• Pop-ups that request financial information
• Cybersecurity warnings (scareware) could lead to downloading malware instead of protecting your device.
• Pop-ups advertising unrelated products or services

Pop-ups can be very dangerous, as they can potentially hack into your personal information. For kids, they can also display explicit and harmful content. Some pop-ups have a fake “x” button, which may appear to allow you to close the pop-up. However, if you click on it, it can redirect you to a malicious source, which could be harmful to your device and you.

9. Web Security Tools Help You Track

Using web security tools such as CloudFlare and Norton can help block hackers and protect against fake sites, preventing your data from falling into the wrong hands. With an already available VPN and parental controls, safer browsing is available. These security tools not only protect your financial and personal information but also help safeguard your devices from debilitating malware.

You may notice that users prefer to install VPN and protective security tools such as Avast on their brand-new laptops before they start searching on the web and working. This is important because new laptops tend to get ruined faster. This is a precautionary measure everyone takes; it is not just for new devices; users keep updating and spend time ensuring that their devices are okay.

If you visit a lot of websites and need a lot of information, you might notice that your device slows down or your browser does not respond at times. What is worse is that some devices lose battery life because they can pick up unnecessary usage and more.

10. Ensure the Site is Real

Hackers use various methods to steal your information, including fake websites. Spoofing occurs when a scammer creates a site that closely resembles a real one to steal your logins and passwords. Typosquatting happens when someone purchases a domain similar to a well-known site in the hope that individuals will unintentionally mistype the URL and land on this fraudulent site, potentially exposing themselves to malware.

If you receive a link from an unknown basis or notice that a website you regularly visit is behaving differently than usual, double-check the URL to confirm that you are on the correct site. If you find yourself on one of these fake domains, close the window and clear your browsing history and data to prevent revisiting it. If you believe a site is engaging in fraudulent activities, report it immediately.

More to know: Why Site Speed Matters and How To Improve It?

11. Who Owns the Site

Before you spend money at an eCommerce store, you can find out who owns the site by processing it through a Whois search. This search will tell you the owner of a website so you can make a more knowledgeable decision. If a site is owned by someone other than the actual owner, you’re probably better off taking your business to a more reputable company.

One important tip for websites like these is to scroll through and check the footer at the bottom of the site. This will allow you to view the privacy policy, terms and conditions, and other essential information. Doing so will help you avoid unwanted pop-ups and unnecessary clicks on the site.

These websites often prompt you to click on various calls to action, such as “Click here,” “Buy now,” or “You won’t believe this amount of money.” You can quickly recognize that such a website is not secure, and by taking this step, you can save yourself the trouble of closing numerous tabs that it may open on its own, potentially exposing you to malware.

Informative read: How To Build a Fitness Website: Your Simple 10-Step Guide.

Companies Need to Own Secure Sites

It is important to have a professionally designed website that captures the essence of a professional company or small business and its purpose to make it stand out on the web. If you are a well-known brand or company and your website turns out to be a threat to its users, it can cause a very bad impression and cause you to lose potential customers.

While visuals and the overall website layout are crucial for an average user to feel that the website they are on is authentic and does not impose any threat to them, some factors can lead to misinterpretations, causing them to avoid clicking or staying on your site any longer.

This is why it is essential to get a website design made through a professional website design agency that creates secure websites, is responsive to all devices, and captures the essence and purpose of your brand. A tragic event on your website causing a bad first impression could lead to a very bad start for any business.

Now You Know

The frequency of website scamming and spamming has increased over the years. Users often find themselves scrolling through scam websites, unknowingly filling up their data storage with unwanted cache. This can cause their devices to slow down or malfunction. If you are a website owner looking to improve the safety and functionality of your website, Websleagues can help bring your vision to life. We prioritize strict measures for website structure, layout, content, and overall security. Our team of website designers and developers work diligently and conduct thorough tests to ensure your website’s safety and seamless functionality.

Discovering that websites can pose security risks can be frightening. However, it’s our responsibility to create high-quality websites that are visually attractive and function smoothly, offering a secure environment for your users. This way, users won’t have to worry about your website being compromised or introducing bugs to their devices. Having your website designed and checked by a reputable website design agency is crucial.

FAQ’S

How do scam websites work?

There are different types of scam websites, and each operates differently. Phishing sites are created to trick you into sharing personal information that hackers and scammers can use to access your accounts. Hackers create fake sites that resemble those you already trust in order to steal your account information and passwords directly.

If I clear my cache, will that remove any unwanted malware or viruses from my device?

This can depend on devices and the kind of malware and virus that led to this sort of situation. Some viruses can be worse than others, causing more disruption and issues to your device and threatening your information. It is always a good idea to install website checkers and site protectors on your device.

How can I find out if a link is safe?

If you are using a computer, you can hover over the link with your cursor. It may be unsafe if it shows a domain different from what you expected. You can copy it and check it with a URL safety check site. If a link does not look safe or you are not sure, it’s best not to click it. Instead, go straight to the site by typing the URL into your browser to avoid disclosing your information to scammers.

How do I know if a link is phishing?

Grammatical and spelling errors, poor design functionality, and requests for personal information that could identify you or reveal your passwords or sensitive information are reasons for phishing. If a link comes from an unknown sender or seems suspicious, it’s best not to click on it.