How to Check If a Website Is Safe: 10 Easy Tips for Secure Browsing

These days, knowing how to check if a website is safe is key to avoiding scams and keeping your info secure. Some fake sites are easy to spot, but others can look surprisingly real.

In this guide, we’ll go over a few quick ways to check if a site’s legit so you can browse safely.

Key Takeaways

Start by checking the URL for HTTPS and a padlock icon to confirm a secure connection.
Look out for red flags, like too many pop-ups, spelling errors, and suspicious payment options, which may indicate a fake website.
Use online tools, like Google Safe Browsing or Norton Safe Web, to quickly scan a website’s safety.
A legitimate website often includes accessible contact information and a clear privacy policy, which help build trust.
When in doubt, consult reviews from reliable sources to see if others have had a safe experience with the site.

Table of Contents Table of Contents

Key Takeaways
What Are Fake Websites?
How to Check If a Website Is Safe
9 Signs That a Website is Fake
The Bottom Line
FAQs
References

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways
What Are Fake Websites?
How to Check If a Website Is Safe

Show Full Guide

9 Signs That a Website is Fake
The Bottom Line
FAQs
References

What Are Fake Websites?

Fake websites are created to look real but are actually set up to trick you. They usually mimic legitimate sites – using similar logos, designs, and URLs – but their main purpose is often to steal personal information, like login details or credit card numbers, or to install harmful software on your device.

A few common giveaways of a fake website are poor spelling or grammar, overly pushy language, and a ton of pop-ups or redirects. To check if a website is safe, you should look at its design, content quality, and the URL. A secure, trustworthy site will usually have clear contact info, a privacy policy, and an HTTPS connection.

So, how do you know if a website is legit? You’ll need to double-check anything that seems off.

How to Check If a Website Is Safe

10 Tips to Check if a Website is Safe (1)

To make sure a website is safe, there are a few simple checks you can do. Here’s what you need to know.

Check the URL

One of the easiest ways to spot a fake website is by carefully examining the URL. Legitimate sites will usually have a clean, straightforward URL without strange characters or unnecessary additions. Keep an eye out for spelling errors or slight variations in the web address, as fake sites often try to imitate real ones with subtle changes, like extra letters or swapped characters.

It is also important to check for “HTTPS” at the beginning of the URL to determine whether a website is secure. More details on that next!

Check for HTTPS

As we mentioned, one quick way to see if a website is secure is by checking for “HTTPS” at the beginning of the URL and looking for the padlock icon in the browser‘s address bar.

HTTPS stands for “HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure” and means the connection is encrypted, helping protect any data you share.

If you see HTTPS and a padlock, it’s a good initial sign of security, but it’s still important to look for other indicators, as HTTPS alone doesn’t guarantee a site is safe.

Use a Website Safety Checker

Techopedia SSL report

A website safety checker is an easy way to test if a website is safe before you interact with it.

Tools like Google Safe Browsing let you quickly check for any reported security issues:

Google Safe Browsing

Enter a URL to check for any reported issues, such as malware or phishing threats.

VirusTotal

Scans website upload to Virustotals for malware and other security risks by aggregating results from multiple antivirus engines.

SSL Labs' SSL Test

Provides a detailed report on a website’s SSL certificate, helping confirm a secure connection.

Simply enter the site’s URL, and the checker will tell you if it’s flagged for malware, phishing, or other risks.

Use Your Browser’s Safety Tools

Most browsers have built-in features that help you to check website safety and warn about potential threats. These tools can automatically check a website for safety by identifying phishing attempts, malware, and suspicious activity.

For example:

Google Chrome has Safe Browsing, which alerts you if a site is unsafe.
Mozilla Firefox includes enhanced tracking protection to block harmful content.
Microsoft Edge offers Microsoft Defender SmartScreen to detect malicious websites.

These tools provide an extra layer of security as you browse.

Look for a Privacy Policy

Techopedia privacy policy

A clear privacy policy is a good sign too look for to know if a website is legit. Legitimate websites use privacy policies to explain how they collect, use, and protect your data, showing transparency about their practices.

If a site doesn’t have a privacy policy or is hard to find, it may be a red flag that the site isn’t trustworthy. Taking a moment to look for this information can help you decide if a website is safe to use.

Look for an SSL Certificate

An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate plays an important role in a website security check. It protects sensitive data like passwords or payment details by encrypting the information exchanged between your browser and the site.

We mentioned this earlier, but you can spot an SSL-secured site by looking for “HTTPS” in the URL and a padlock icon in the address bar. These signs indicate the site has an SSL certificate, adding a layer of safety to your connection.

Make Sure the Site Is Real

Another way to find out if a website is safe is to look for signs that it’s professionally made. Legitimate sites usually have a clean, well-organized design and content that’s easy to read and free from obvious grammar mistakes.

Reliable content and clear navigation can also be indicators that the site is authentic. If the site looks sloppy or rushed, it might be best to avoid sharing any personal information.

Read Reviews of the Site

Techopedia review

Checking external reviews is a simple way to verify a website’s legitimacy. Reviews from other users can give you insights into their experiences with the site – whether it’s reliable, secure, and delivers what it promises.

Look for reviews on trusted forums or platforms, and be cautious if you see multiple complaints about scams or poor service. It’s a good sign if the reviews are mostly positive, as it can mean that the site is trustworthy.

Here are three reliable places to check reviews of a website:

Reddit

Many communities on Reddit discuss online experiences, and you can often find honest reviews about specific websites.

Trustpilot

A popular review platform where users rate websites and services, offering detailed feedback.

Better Business Bureau (BBB)

For U.S.-based sites, the BBB provides reviews, ratings, and records of complaints, helping you gauge a site’s legitimacy.

Search for Contact Information

Legitimate websites usually make it easy to find contact information, such as an email address, phone number, or physical address. This shows they’re open to communication and available if you have questions or issues.

If a site doesn’t provide any contact details or they’re hard to locate, it could be a sign that the website isn’t trustworthy.

Use Web Security Tools

If you’re unsure how to know if a website is safe from viruses, consider using security software to scan for threats.

Here are a few reliable options:

Norton Safe Web: Scans websites for malware, phishing, and other online threats.
McAfee WebAdvisor: Alerts you to risky sites and blocks dangerous downloads.
Bitdefender TrafficLight: Detects malicious content on websites and helps block potential threats.

These tools add an extra layer of protection, especially when visiting unfamiliar sites.

9 Signs That a Website is Fake

Here are some common red flags that may tell you if a website is fake.

Too many pop-ups

Suspicious websites often bombard you with pop-ups, sometimes urging you to click on risky links or download files.

Grammar and spelling errors

Legitimate sites usually have polished content, so keep an eye out for spelling errors and poor grammar, which can indicate a fake site.

Unverified or strange-looking URLs

Fake sites often use unusual URLs with extra characters, misspellings, or slight variations from official web addresses.

Lack of clear refund policy or customer support

Authentic websites provide contact details and clear support policies. If these are missing or vague, it could be a warning sign.

No About Us page

Legitimate sites often include an “About Us” page to share information about the company. If this page is missing, the site may not be trustworthy.

Overly enticing offers

Scammers may use offers that sound too good to be true, like “90% off everything” or “free giveaways” with no conditions.

Suspicious payment methods

Be cautious if the site only accepts untraceable payment methods like wire transfers or cryptocurrencies, as legitimate sites usually offer secure, reputable payment options.

Low-resolution images or generic logos

Fake sites sometimes use low-quality images or generic logos that don’t match the brand they’re pretending to represent.

No social media presence

Many legitimate businesses have social media accounts. A lack of online presence could be a red flag.

Identifying these signs can help you avoid potentially unsafe websites.

The Bottom Line

Staying safe online means taking a few simple steps to check if a website is safe. Look for HTTPS in the URL, check out user reviews, and try a website safety checker if something feels off.

No single check can guarantee a site’s legitimacy, so it’s best to use a mix of these methods. If a site doesn’t seem right, trust your gut and avoid entering any personal info.