This archive report was first published on 30 June 2021.
As of 2021, there are over 20 million unsafe websites on the internet, with many designed to defraud people online or infected with malware.
Before accessing a website, it's essential to evaluate its legitimacy to avoid falling victim to online scams.
Verify the URL ¶
Scammers often create websites with misspelled URLs that resemble legitimate ones. To avoid this, carefully read the URL and double-check the spelling.
Never directly click on a link; instead, type it into the browser to ensure you're accessing the intended website.
Check Google Transparency Report ¶
Google's Transparency Report provides valuable information on website safety. You can check a website's status by following these steps:
- Visit the Google Transparency Report website.
- Enter the website's address in the search box and click 'Check site status.'
- Google will examine its database and display the website's current status.
Google's Safe Browsing guidelines help make online browsing safer, with over 3 billion searches performed daily.
Check the Website's Connection ¶
A secure website connection is indicated by an 'https' prefix in the URL, with a padlock icon appearing in the address bar.
Clicking on the padlock icon will provide more information about the connection's security, including the entity that issued the security certificate.
Be cautious when entering personal or payment-related details on websites with an 'http' prefix or a warning icon, as they may not be secure.
