How to know if a web page is secure?
More and more uses are given to the internet. Something that makes our lives easier, but also increases the risks of these activities. For this reason, it is important to always move in a secure web environment, free of threats and where our data cannot be affected.
Since the beginning of time, every technological novelty has been accompanied by risks, especially due to the misuse that criminals make of these advances. An aspect in which the world of computers and the Internet is no exception. And although we have tools with which to protect ourselves against viruses and other threats, when it comes to finding a secure website or moving around in a protected environment, this is not always easy. So that you know how to check the reliability of a web page and avoid these risks, we leave you some tips that you should know.
How to know if a website is secure
One of the keys to moving around the network is to always do it in a suitable environment. If we perform any operation on unsecured pages, we risk our information being leaked or stolen. Something serious for us, especially if in this operation we use personal data such as our mail, our physical address or our bank details. Therefore, it is important to know how to know if a page is reliable.
To avoid this problem, it is key to verify the secure web page in which we are going to interact. Something for which we must verify that the link of the same begins with the acronym HTTPS . This is the denomination of secure web pages, this being the easiest method regarding how to know if a website is reliable. These also appear with a small padlock next to the URL, indicating that the site is secure. It is also important that we review that address, so that it points to the website we want to go to and not to a fake copy (amaz0n.com instead of amazon.com, for example).
Finally, when it comes to how to tell if a page is fraudulent, common sense is key. Sometimes, a simple glance is enough to notice that something is wrong. Among these details we find a poorly written text, poorly translated, with flagrant spelling errors or other striking errors, which are common in a fraudulent website.
How to know if an online store is reliable
If the situation is already problematic when we use a normal website, things get more difficult when it comes to an online store. So being clear about how to know if a page is safe to buy is basic. To begin with, everything that we have commented on in the previous point is applicable to this type of site: the use of https in the address, verifying the link, the content, etc.
However, for greater peace of mind when it comes to seeing the reliability of the website, we can search for your corporate data. These are mandatory on pages with a.es domain , and must include the physical address of the establishment and contact details. In the rest they are not, but if they appear, it is always a good sign.
Another interesting idea for our “web purchases” is to do it only in known or trusted stores. And if this is not the case, always choose non-direct payment methods, such as bank card. In return, it is convenient to use the cash on delivery system or pay with Paypal. In both cases, if we do not receive the product, our money will be safe, which is always interesting when making a secure online purchase.
Finally, we appeal again to the critical spirit as a basic tool to find safe web pages for your purchases. Nobody is going to sell you the latest iPhone at a bargain price, nor are you going to find a 65-inch Smart TV for 100 euros. They are simply fraudulent websites, with which to capture your data and do business with them.
Use the technology
So far, the methods we have discussed require some knowledge on our part and a bit of common sense. But sometimes, an unsafe or fraudulent web page is so well designed that it can fool the most savvy. Therefore, it is worth resorting to technology to avoid these frauds.
Some of these tools that we are discussing surely you already have on your computer. As an example, all browsers have configuration options to block malicious content, pop-up windows, stop unwanted downloads or prevent the tracking of our activity through cookies. To activate these functions, simply do it from the privacy and security options in your browser.
We also have help when we search for a website on Google. Thanks to its intelligent technology, the search engine stores in its database those sites that have engaged in malicious behavior and blocks them. Something similar happens with non-secure pages, which do not have the https protocol activated. However, if you want even more intensive protection, you can turn to tools like Malwarebytes, which scans your computer for intrusions and also includes protection against fraudulent sites, scams, popups, and other online risks.
and collective intelligence
As a last piece of advice, we have the option of looking for opinions regarding the website that presents us with doubts. Today, there are several websites dedicated to collecting this type of opinion and experience, which is useful when we have doubts. Among these pages, we have Trust Pilot, for all types of websites, and Trusted Shops, specifically for e-commerce sites.
The only thing you should keep in mind when viewing these reviews is that some fake companies and websites may also add reviews that are not always real. So again it’s time to use a little common sense before accessing them. If you see opinions in the form of C (many positive and many negative), it is reason to be suspicious.
