How to check a website is safe before you click

The internet is a wonderful thing. So many answers are available to us at just the click of a button. But clicking on a dodgy website link can lead to real problems - from malware infections to identity theft.

Whether you're shopping online, catching up on the news, or scrolling through new content, it pays to know how to check if a website is safe before you visit it.

This guide walks you through practical steps to protect yourself and your data, using six simple steps that anyone can follow.

Cybercriminals can use fake websites to steal your personal information, install malicious software, and trick you into revealing sensitive info. They might try:

• Phishing scams: Fake sites that mimic real websites to steal your login details

• Malware downloads: Software that infects your device

• Fake e-commerce sites: You pay for a product, and then never receive it

Thankfully though, there are several things you can do to protect yourself and by learning how to spot red flags and verify a website’s safety, you can avoid falling victim to these threats.

Now that you understand why website safety is so important, let’s walk through the practical steps you can take to verify a site before clicking.

A website’s URL can reveal a lot about how secure it is. Before you click on a URL, you should always:

• Hover over the URL to preview where it’s taking you and make sure it matches what you’d expect it to. If it looks off, or it doesn’t match, don’t click.

• Watch out for suspicious domains that have misspellings, extra characters or strange extensions. For example, “go0gle.com”.

• Check whether the site uses HTTPS or HTTP. HTTPS is a secured version of HTTP, which has been encrypted so only you and the website’s server has access to the data. It cannot be intercepted.

• Last but not least, keep an eye out for the padlock symbol to check that the connection’s secure. A padlock doesn’t always mean the website is safe, but no padlock at all is bad news.

A website safety checker tool will scan websites for threats before you visit them and tell you if it is safe to visit. Not only are they quick and reliable, but they’re usually free.

Google Safe Browsing and Norton Safe Web are two popular options, and they’re updated regularly to keep ahead of new threats.

Google Safe Browsing can also tell you if a site’s been blacklisted for malicious activity.

A website is basically a business’s shopfront. If it’s trustworthy, you’ll normally easily be able to find essential company info, like an address, phone number, and links to social media.

If you head to the website’s ‘About’ page, it should include the company’s story.

If a website seems vague, think twice before engaging.

Before trusting a website, see what others have to say. Before you choose to trust a website, check what others have to say. Head to review platforms like TrustPilot and Google Reviews where you’ll be able to see what other customers experienced when using the website.

It’s worth noting that the odd bad review isn’t (necessarily) a cause for concern. But if there are several bad reviews, and they mention fraud or poor service, steer clear.

One of the most obvious signs of a fake website is a lack of attention to detail. Keep an eye out for poor grammar and spelling, broken links, outdated branding and blurry images. Aggressive ads or constant pop-ups can also be a signal of a site you shouldn’t trust.

What’s important is that you trust your instincts. If your gut says that something’s off, don’t click.

Antivirus software is your first line of defence against cyberattacks. It blocks harmful malicious downloads and phishing attempts, so you’ll want to keep it updated to stay properly protected. 

Most modern browsers can give you security alerts for unsafe sites – just go into your settings to switch them on.

You can also add browser extensions like Web of Trust and McAffee WebAdvisor for another layer of security. Extensions can help manage passwords and block unwanted ads, so you’re safer online.

If you want to save these tips for future reference, why not bookmark this page?

Cybercrime is evolving every day, but many businesses don’t have the right cover. That’s where we can help.

Speak to your usual Everywhen advisor today or call us on 0330 808 1800 to find out more about our cyber insurance – we’ll help you find the right cover to keep your business safe.

Consistent with our policy when giving comments and advice on a non-specific basis, we cannot assume legal responsibility for the accuracy of any particular statement. In the case of specific problems, we recommend that professional advice be sought.