There are millions of websites on the Internet. Most are used to inform users, entertain, communicate, and conduct business. However, some of them are places where attackers implement their fraudulent schemes. In order not to become their victim, you need to learn how to work with any websites correctly and be able to check their legitimacy. These tasks will become as simple as possible if you carefully study this article. In it, you will find much helpful information and dozens of valuable recommendations on this topic.
Methods for checking websites for fraud
Using a website checker
Website legit checker is an online tool for detecting various fraudulent tricks. It is extremely easy to use, so it is suitable even for people using such products for the first time. In any scam website checker, users only need to enter the site’s URL of interest and activate the check.
After a few seconds, detailed information about errors in the URL, the status of SSL certificates, threats present (phishing, viruses, etc.), and much more will appear on the screen. This data will help determine the degree of danger of the website and the advisability of further work with it.
Checking URL and SSL certificates
URL is a unique address that can only exist in a single copy. Therefore, even if scammers entirely copy websites’ design and content, they can be detected among legitimate online resources by differences in the URL. Attackers often change symbols, add letters and words, and install a different extension. As a rule, the changes are minor, so immediately detecting the fraud can be difficult. However, if you carefully study the URL, everyone can notice the discrepancies. Remember that you can only work on websites with genuine SSL certificates. You can check their status by clicking on the lock icon, which is located in front of the URL. If any other icon is displayed, you can be sure that the SSL certificate of such an online resource is wholly or partially invalid.
Checking available information
To avoid becoming a victim of fraudsters, you need to work with carefully checked websites. To make them such, in addition to the actions described above, you must study all the information available to users. First, you should pay attention to the contacts. They must be complete, accurate and reliable. Users must also have the opportunity to compare the contacts indicated on the websites with similar data on other online resources (for example, on a Google map). Second, you need to look for spelling and grammatical errors on the pages. As a rule, there are many more of them on fraudulent websites than on legitimate ones. Third, it is recommended to study the privacy policy. Fraudsters will be voluminous, complex and incomprehensible to ordinary readers. Finally, you need to examine the reviews of the websites. They should have a certain balance. If there are too many positive reviews and only 1-2 negative ones, this is a clear sign of a fraudulent website.
Security measures when working with websites
Reliable Internet connection
Among the many effective security measures, using a reliable Internet connection is the most important when working with websites. It should be protected from outside connections and other threats. So, any data entered on the site (for example, passwords) will not be available to fraudsters.
Public Wi-Fi is unreliable, so it should be used only when working with sites that do not require authorization and other actions related to entering passwords, personal data and other important information.
Complex passwords
To avoid hacking accounts by fraudsters, you must use only complex passwords when working with websites. Their presence will not allow intruders to pick the right combination and gain access to finances, personal data and other valuable information. A password consisting of letters, numbers and other symbols (preferably at least 12) is considered complex. Also, they should not be connected in any way. Only in this case will the chances of fraudsters be minimal.
Be careful when clicking on links.
All users must remember that clicking on unknown links can lead to trouble. After clicking, there is a chance of being automatically redirected to a fraudulent website disguised as a legitimate one or downloading a file with malicious software. Such careless actions can result in the loss of money, valuable information, and access to an account. However, you do not need to refuse to click on links completely. If you check the site for fraud in advance and determine its safety, then you can click anywhere.
Conclusion
Proper work with websites is the basis of security on the Internet. It allows you to find any information of interest and avoid contact with scammers. By regularly checking websites for legitimacy and using adequate security measures, everyone can quickly detect deception and protect themselves from fraudulent activities.