If you have ever clicked on a website and wondered, “Is this website safe?”, then you have come to the right place. Online safety is more important than ever, especially when you consider the rise of cyber threats as technology advances.
So, if you are wondering how to check if a website is safe, this blog is for you. In particular, we will explore the following:
- The importance of using safe websites
- Tips on checking site safety
- How to avoid potentially dangerous ones
- How iolo can help check if websites are safe
Let’s get to it!
Aren’t All Websites Safe?
Unfortunately, not all websites that are on the internet are considered safe or authentic. Scams are profound across the internet, so it wouldn’t be surprising to find fake or harmful websites that could infect your computer with malware.
As a result, it’s key that you take website safety seriously and remember to check if a website is safe before clicking or downloading anything on it.
How to Check If Websites Are Safe
Don’t worry if you’re unsure of how to know if a website is safe – we’ve got you covered. In terms of website safety, we have compiled a list of useful tips that can help check whether a website is safe or not.
The SSL Certificate
You’re probably familiar with ‘HTTP’ that is found on most websites’ URL, but did you know that trustworthy websites are more likely to have ‘HTTPS’ in their URL?
The difference between the two is that HTTPS is provided by an SSL certificate that encrypts the website. As the site is encrypted, it makes it significantly more difficult for cybercriminals to infiltrate the website and steal information that you have input.
With HTTP, the website is not encrypted.
Domain Name
The domain name should always be double-checked to make sure that you are on the correct website. Scammers will usually create similar looking URLs that match banks or online retailers, tricking users into believing that they are on the right website.
This grants cybercriminals access to sensitive information like passwords, email addresses, billing information, card information, and more.
Contact Information
Most, if not all, reliable websites will include contact information somewhere on their site. You might also want to think about verifying the website ownership on the Whois Lookup platform which enables you to discover the registered individual or entity that owns the website.
If you’re unable to find information about the site, it’s likely that it’s fraudulent.
Cybersecurity Software like iolo’s System Shield®
System Shield® efficiently safeguards your computer against malware threats, neutralizing them in an instant. With real-time protection, the software can notify you if the website that you are on is unsafe, blocking you from accessing it unless you bypass it.
This means that whenever you come across potentially harmful websites, System Shield® will automatically protect your computer from being infiltrated by malware that is hiding within these websites.
Investing in an antivirus program like System Shield® is a reliable and straightforward way to check for unsafe and fake websites, blocking viruses and other types of malware from breaching your system.
Avoiding Dangerous Websites
Now that you understand how to check if the website is safe, what can you do to actively avoid harmful websites?
Well, firstly, you will need to know the signs to look out for regarding unsecure websites:
- Suspicious or weird URLs
- Warnings of spam
- Random and frequent pop-ups
- Redirects (opens new web page)
So, what is the solution to avoiding dangerous websites and protecting your privacy?
The answer is simple: iolo’s System Mechanic Pro®.
iolo’s System Mechanic Pro®
System Mechanic Pro® is our all-in-one product for antivirus, computer protection, and security and privacy that can help deter you away from potentially malicious websites.
It offers:
- Improved system performance
- Real-time threat monitoring
- Faster internet speeds
- Repair and disk cleaning solutions
- Privacy protection
- Data management
More specifically, it includes all of the features of System Shield® for comprehensive antivirus protection. This also involves the ability to detect unsecure websites and warn the user if a website is unsafe.
Check Site Safety with iolo
Using safe and credible websites ensures that your computer is less likely to be riddled with malware. Fake and harmful websites exist across the internet, so it’s crucial that you remain vigilant when browsing the web.
Solutions like iolo’s System Shield® and System Mechanic Pro® are what your computer needs for the ultimate defense against cyber attacks from malicious websites. Ensure that you are always safely browsing with iolo.
To learn more about our collection of antivirus products, please get in touch with us today.