When you browse the Internet, The last thing you want is to land on a website that is not secure. That is, don't try to scam you, put viruses... But, if you are not very knowledgeable in these topics, how do you recognize a secure website?
If it has ever happened to you that you have had doubts, or not knowing how not to click on those messages sent by well-known companies to avoid problems, below we give you the keys to escape from them. Shall we go with it?
The first filter: the url
Let's give you an example. Imagine that you are browsing the Internet and decide to go to a website for your electricity company called luzbarata.com. You know the company is called that.
However, one day you receive an email from Cheap Light and it gives you a link. You open it and see that it is the same website. But what about its url? In this case it says luz-barata.com. Would it be the same page and company?
The truth is that no. That's where the biggest frauds are.
Many times hackers use very similar urls to confuse people and trust them to steal the data.
But not only those. But urls that are too long, with strange words, etc. They should also set off alarm bells that something is not right.
SSL certificate
A few years ago the so-called SSL certificate emerged as a security option that allows you to recognize a secure website. In fact, nowadays all web pages must have it since, otherwise, many users can be lost due to it.
The SSL certificate is characterized by two aspects: on the one hand, an https appears in the url, instead of the typical http; On the other hand, the fact that a padlock appears next to the url, in white or green, is a sign that you can navigate safely.
Shield your browser from unsafe pages
In this case, it is not so much a signal to recognize a safe website, but rather a tool that you can use to avoid them. Specifically, blocking pop-ups, unauthorized downloads, etc.
To do this, the browser settings are used. For example:
In Mozilla Firefox, it would be Options / Privacy and security.
In Chrome, Settings / Advanced settings / Privacy and security.
Review the web architecture of the page
Another aspect to take into account to recognize a secure website is its appearance. Apart from those websites that try to simulate companies to steal your data, there are other websites that do not simulate anything, but pretend to be stores or similar so that you buy something that will never arrive to you (and the most likely thing is which will disappear in a short time).
In fact, when you start to see a lot of advertising on a website, hyperlinks to places that do not interest you, pop-up windows... be careful, because It may be a page that is not secure. In fact, it may be that the website you are on is secure, but those components it has can be malicious, and in one of those they will trap your data.
Take a look at who we are and the privacy policy
As you know, All web pages must comply with the law. And that means having a legal notice, a privacy policy, a cookie policy... Well, why not look at them?
Maybe it seems silly to you, or too boring. But one of the information that must be on these pages is your postal address (where the store is located) and also the email, telephone...
If it doesn't say anything, that's bad, because hiding that legal information doesn't say anything good about them.
Check the opinions of others
Before buying anything on a website that is not completely reliable, keep in mind that you can search the Internet for opinions about the store. Maybe you'll get lucky and find that others have already experienced (for or against) and have posted comments to warn others.
In most cases you will be able to find these opinions in forums, which is where people ask about stores or websites (especially those related to products).
Check the text
Another indicator to recognize a secure website is its text. Yes, as you read. It's time to spend some time reading the text looking for inconsistencies., phrases that don't sound right, spelling mistakes, etc.
When they are in your language, it is normal that you detect this soon. But if they are in another language it may cost you a little more, especially if you are not skilled with it. In that case, going through a translator may be a good idea to know what it says., but also to see if you detect any mistakes in grammar or spelling.
If this is the case, it is possible that the website has used a translator and that it is not really secure.
For example, so you have an example: Imagine that you are looking for information for an article. And you find a website where they talk to you about the specific topic at length. However, as you read you realize that only the first two paragraphs really talk about it; the rest are from other things that aren't even related.
Check payment methods
As you know, on the Internet it is common to pay with your credit card. But if the site where you are going to pay does not use a virtual POS (that is, an online payment system with authentication), it may not be so legal.
In fact, When paying on new sites it is preferable that you do it with PayPal or similar so that, if you don't receive the product, you can claim it (although they don't do this precisely for that reason).
Recognizing a secure website is not easy. But it's not impossible either. If you take into account these aspects that we have mentioned, and also use a little common sense, you will be able to avoid many problems. Can you give us any more advice to avoid falling into a website that could pose a risk to your computer or your private data?