Whenever you’re trying to shop online, all you want is to be safe from hackers and spammers, right? That makes you think if the website you’re buying from is safe.
Fortunately, there are several easy ways you can find it out.
One of the most common way is to look for websites that start with “HTTPS” rather than “HTTP”. The “s” stands for secure, and it means that the site has been encrypted and is less likely to be hacked.
You can also check the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website to see if the company has been accredited and what complaints have been filed against them.
What Are the Signs of An Unsecured Website?
There are a few telltale signs that your website may not be as secure as it could be.
The first sign is if you see a “key” or “unlocked padlock” icon in the address bar of your browser when you’re on your site. This means that the connection between your browser and your website is not secure and that hackers could potentially intercept data being transmitted between the two.
Another sign is if your website’s URL begins with “HTTP://” instead of “https://.”
Just so you know, the “s” in https stands for “secure,” meaning that all data transmitted between your browser and the site is encrypted. If you don’t see the “s,” it’s a good indication that your site is not secure.
Finally, you can also check with a website security service to see if they have any warnings or reports about your site. If they do, it’s a good idea to take steps to tighten up your security.
How Do I Know if A Website Is Safe to Buy From?
With the rise of online shopping, it’s important to know how to spot a safe website.
Here are some steps to follow before making a purchase:
- First, check the URL of the website. A secure website will have “https” at the beginning of the URL, instead of just “HTTP.” The ‘s’ stands for ‘secure.’
- Second, look for a padlock icon next to the URL. This indicates that the site is using SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encryption to protect your personal information.
- Third, avoid sites that ask for too much personal information. A legitimate site will only require your name, shipping address, and payment method. If a site asks for additional information, be cautious.
- Finally, check the company’s contact information. A reputable company will list a physical address, email address, and phone number on its website. If you can’t find this information easily, it’s best to move on to another site.
By following these simple steps, you can ensure that you’re only shopping on safe websites.
What Should I Do If I Suspect a Website is Not Safe?
If you suspect a website is not safe, the best thing to do is avoid it. If you must visit the site, be sure to use a VPN and avoid entering any personal information.
If you’re still not sure, there are a few things you can do to check if a website is safe:
- Check the URL– A malicious website will often have a URL that doesn’t make sense or looks suspicious. If the URL looks like it was made up, it’s probably not safe.
- Check for SSL– Any site that asks for personal information should have an SSL certificate. You can check for this by looking for https in the URL and a green lock icon in your browser’s address bar.
- Search for reviews – A quick Google search can reveal what other people have said about the safety of a website. Be sure to read through several reviews to get a well-rounded idea of what others think.
- Use your gut – If something about a website feels off, it’s probably not worth taking the risk.
Last Words
When you’re shopping online, it’s important to make sure the website is safe before you enter your credit card information.
Now that you know how to check if a website is safe to buy from, it’s time to put this knowledge into practice.
Remember, not all unsafe websites will have an immediate impact on your computer or device some may even seem completely legitimate.
However, by following the tips we’ve outlined in this post and using a little common sense, you can greatly reduce your chances of becoming the victim of online fraud.
