Update Your Browser
The first thing that you can do in order to be able to detect threats from a website is updating your browser. No matter which browser you are using, you find updates appearing at regular intervals, urging you to install them. It is recommended that you install each one of these updates as every browser has its own list of phishing sites and spam websites which are regularly updated for advanced Internet safety. So, an updated browser can alert you against such websites.
The first thing that you can do in order to be able to detect threats from a website is updating your browser. No matter which browser you are using, you find updates appearing at regular intervals, urging you to install them. It is recommended that you install each one of these updates as every browser has its own list of phishing sites and spam websites which are regularly updated for advanced Internet safety. So, an updated browser can alert you against such websites.
Check the URL
Checking the URL of the Web page is simple and perhaps one of the best ways to detect if the site is secure or not. Just have a look at the URL and you'll find that in case of Web pages that are secure, the URL begins with "https" instead of "http" as found on ordinary Web pages. For example, have a look at the URL of the 'login' page of Facebook and you'll find that it begins with "https".
Look for the Lock Icon
When you open a Web page that is secure, you'll find an icon of a lock somewhere on the browser window. While in Microsoft Internet Explorer, you should see the icon on the right of the address bar (or location bar) of a secure web page, if you're using Mozilla Firefox browser, you'd find it in the bottom right corner of the page i.e., on the right side of the 'Status Bar' located at the bottom of the page.
Check the Security Certificate
The presence of a lock icon does indicate a secure site but to be doubly sure, click (or double-click) on the icon of the lock and you'll find that it is a link and clicking on it opens a new window that describes the security of the site in detail. This is nothing but the 'security certificate' we are talking about. The security certificate is the ultimate indicator of a site's safety and in it you'll find details such as to whom the certificate is issued, by whom, the validity of the certificate, etc.
Use Online Tools
This is another way to check if a website is safe. There are certain websites on the Net that offer to check sites for security. All you need to do is go to one of these sites and enter the URL of the site you wish to check. Some sites like Web of Trust (WOT) even offer add-ons that you can download for free and install in your browser. The names of few of such sites are given below.
- Google Safe Browsing
- Web of Trust (WOT)
- Norton Safe Web
- HpHosts Online
- SiteAdvisor
- Blacklist Doctor
Look Out for Personal Contact Details
This is especially applicable to little known shopping sites with whom you have never done business before. In such cases, to find out if the business is real, look for a physical address or contact number. And if you chance to find a phone number, call the number to find if it is valid. Also, do some research about the particular company on the Net.
This is especially applicable to little known shopping sites with whom you have never done business before. In such cases, to find out if the business is real, look for a physical address or contact number. And if you chance to find a phone number, call the number to find if it is valid. Also, do some research about the particular company on the Net.
Thus, we see that there are several ways to know if a website is secure or not. So, before every transaction that you make on a website, check if it is indeed safe to do so. Hope you have a pleasant experience shopping online!
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