Essential Tips on How to Know If a Website Is Safe to Buy From

You probably have a favorite online store for each item you might need. But what would happen if the store shuts down, the prices increase beyond logic, or the item you need most is sold out? In that case, most of us would start looking around for different shopping sites that sell the same product, right?

We don’t want to scare you, but some of these new sites you’ll stumble upon can be a scam site, meaning that it’s a fake site created to harm you, whether that’s through gaining access to your personal details or through downloading malware to your device.

Fear not, dear shopper! In this Mysterium VPN blog post, we’ll walk you through how to know if a website is safe, how to recognize and avoid fake websites, and just how big of a threat these malicious websites can be!

Understanding Website Safety

Safe websites share some common characteristics. Thus, before you understand how scam websites work, you need to understand what makes a site legit!

What Makes a Website Safe and Legitimate

• Secure connection (HTTPS): Safe websites have an “HTTPS” in the address bar, signifying an encrypted connection. Look for a padlock icon next to the web address.
• Valid SSL certificate: Clicking the padlock icon should reveal details about the SSL certificate. A trustworthy certificate is issued by a recognized certificate authority.
• Transparency: Legitimate sites have clear contact information, a privacy policy, and a physical address displayed prominently.
• Reputable domain registration: Well-established websites are registered with credible domain registrars. It's also crucial to verify the authenticity and security of online stores before making purchases.

The Risks of Visiting Scam Websites

• Personal data theft: Scam sites may collect sensitive data like your name, address, and credit card details.
• Malware installation: Clicking on malicious links or pop-ups can download harmful software to your device.
• Financial loss and identity theft: Scam transactions could lead to unauthorized charges and stolen identities.

Verifying Website Credentials

Here's everything you need to know about making sure a website is legit before you use it!

Use a Website Safety Checker to Verify the Site’s Safety

Tools like Google Safe Browsing and VirusTotal's site checker can analyze websites for malware, phishing attempts, and other risks. These site checkers provide detailed safety reports to help you make informed decisions.

Look for an SSL Certificate and HTTPS

When visiting a website, start by checking the address bar for a padlock icon and "HTTPS" in the web address. These are signs of a secure connection, meaning any information you share is encrypted and protected during transmission.

• Inspect the padlock icon: Clicking on the padlock icon opens details about the SSL certificate. Review these details to confirm:
  • The certificate’s expiration date.
  • The domain the certificate is issued for.
  • The issuing authority—ensure it’s from a trusted certificate authority like DigiCert, Let’s Encrypt, or GlobalSign.
• Beware of self-signed certificates: Legitimate websites usually use SSL certificates issued by recognized authorities. Avoid sites with self-signed or expired certificates.
• Spot mixed content warnings: If your browser warns about mixed content (e.g., HTTP elements on an HTTPS page), proceed cautiously. It could indicate vulnerabilities or tampering.

Verify the Website’s Domain and URL

Before engaging with any site, scrutinize the domain and URL for signs of authenticity:

• Look for typos and errors: Fraudulent websites often rely on slightly misspelled domains to trick users. For example, "amaz0n.com" instead of "amazon.com."
• Check the domain extension: Stick to trusted domain extensions like ".com," ".org," or country-specific extensions (e.g., ".co.uk") for well-known sites.
• Use a URL expander: Shortened URLs can hide malicious links. Use a URL expander tool to reveal the full address and ensure it leads to a legitimate destination.
• Domain age matters: Use WHOIS lookup tools to check when the domain was registered. Scam sites often have recently registered domains with minimal history.

By following these steps, you can reduce the risk of falling victim to unsafe or malicious websites.

Check the Website’s Privacy Policy

A legitimate website should have a clear and concise privacy policy that outlines how they collect, use, and protect user data.

You can usually find a link to the privacy policy at the bottom of the website or in the footer. Take the time to read the privacy policy carefully to understand what information the website collects, how it's used, and with whom it's shared.

Be wary of websites that do not have a privacy policy or have a policy that's vague or unclear. A good privacy policy will also mention if the website has a data protection officer (DPO) or a contact person for data protection-related queries.

Additionally, the website must be checked to ensure that it complies with relevant data protection regulations such as GDPR, CCPA, or HIPAA.

Look for certifications such as TRUSTe or BBBOnline, which indicate that the website has been audited for its privacy practices.

Be cautious of websites that ask for sensitive information such as social security numbers, credit card numbers, or passwords without a clear explanation of why they need it and how it'll be protected.

Evaluating Website Design and Content

Sometimes, the website design and the content of the website can tell you a lot about the website you're visiting. Here's what to look for when staying safe online.

Analyze the Overall Look and Feel of the Website

• Professional design: Legitimate websites are typically well-designed with high-quality visuals, clear layouts, and functional elements. If the site appears overly cluttered, poorly aligned, or unprofessional, this could be a red flag.
• Typos and errors: Be attentive to spelling mistakes, grammatical errors, or awkward phrasing. Scam websites often neglect these details, which may indicate their lack of authenticity.
• Suspicious visuals: Check the images on the site. Do they look blurry, low-resolution, or recycled from other sources? Conduct a reverse image search to see if the pictures appear elsewhere, which could indicate that the site is using stolen content.
• Navigation quality: The website’s navigation menu should be clear, concise, and functional. A poorly organized menu can suggest the site isn’t legitimate.

Check for Spelling Errors and Grammar Mistakes

Scam websites often have excessive errors in their content. While no site is immune to occasional typos, frequent mistakes are a red flag. Look for:

• Product descriptions: Overly generic or poorly written descriptions may indicate a lack of professionalism.
• Policy pages: Scam sites often cut corners on their "Terms and Conditions" or "Privacy Policy" pages, which may be poorly formatted or copied from another source.

Be Wary of Too Many Pop-Ups

• Intrusive pop-ups: Scam websites frequently rely on pop-ups to distract or confuse users. If you encounter numerous pop-ups asking for personal or financial details, proceed with caution.
• Limited pop-ups: Legitimate websites may use pop-ups sparingly, often for useful purposes like discount offers or cookie consent.
• Block unwanted pop-ups: Install a reliable pop-up blocker to minimize distractions and reduce the risk of interacting with malicious content.

Researching the Company Behind the Website

A legitimate company will have a detailed contact page, including:

• Physical address: Look for a valid and complete physical address. Cross-check it on Google Maps to confirm its authenticity.
• Phone number: Ensure the phone number isn't only functional but also linked to a recognizable area code or country. Try calling it to verify.
• Professional email address: Generic emails like Gmail or Yahoo are less trustworthy for business purposes. A legitimate company should use a domain-specific email (e.g., [email protected]).

Test the Contact Information

• Send an email or make a phone call to check if you receive a prompt and professional response.
• Verify that the address leads to a real office or storefront and isn’t just a placeholder.

Check the Company’s Social Media Presence

• Active profiles: Reputable companies maintain updated and active profiles on social platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Inactive accounts could indicate a lack of legitimacy.
• Consistency: Verify that the company’s name, logo, and contact information on social media match what's displayed on their website.
• Engagement: Look at how the company interacts with followers. A legitimate business will likely respond to comments, answer queries, and maintain a professional tone.
• Beware of fake accounts: Double-check for verification badges (where applicable) and look out for duplicate accounts, which could be scams.

Read Reviews and News

• Customer reviews: Explore platforms like Trustpilot, Yelp, and Google My Business for genuine reviews. Pay attention to the balance between positive and negative feedback—a flood of overly glowing reviews may be fabricated.
• Review authenticity: Check for details in the reviews. Generic comments like "great service" without specifics might indicate fake reviews.
• News mentions: Search for the company’s name in news outlets. Positive press coverage or partnerships with known organizations add to credibility. Be wary if the company has been mentioned in scam reports or negative articles.
• Industry recognition: Look for any certifications, awards, or memberships in reputable organizations that the company claims to have.

By thoroughly researching the company behind a website, you can gain confidence in its legitimacy and reduce the risk of falling victim to scams.

Check the Company’s Info Against Official Databases and Resources

Verifying the company’s physical address, phone number, and email address is crucial to ensure they're legitimate.

You can check the company’s registration details using the relevant state or national business registry. Additionally, looking up the company’s tax ID number or VAT number can help verify its legitimacy.

A company’s social media presence can also provide valuable insights. Reputable companies maintain active and complete profiles on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Verify the company’s domain registration details using a WHOIS lookup tool to ensure the domain is registered to a legitimate owner.

Check the company’s reputation with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) or other consumer protection agencies.

Look for reviews and ratings from independent sources such as Trustpilot, Sitejabber, or Resellerrating. Be cautious of companies that have a poor reputation, multiple complaints, or a history of scams.

These resources can help you make an informed decision and avoid falling victim to scam sites.

Identifying Red Flags

Spotting red flags is essential to avoiding scam websites, as these warning signs often indicate a site’s lack of credibility or security.

Suspicious links and phishing attempts are among the most obvious indicators. Always exercise caution with links that prompt you to enter personal or financial information.

These links may appear in emails, ads, or even directly on the website itself. Examine URLs closely for signs of deception, such as unusual characters, subtle misspellings, or overly complex structures. When in doubt, use a trusted link scanner to check for malware or phishing attempts before clicking.

Transparency is another critical aspect of a legitimate website. Scam sites often avoid providing clear contact details or a comprehensive return policy.

Genuine businesses will have a visible and easily accessible return policy that outlines procedures for returns, exchanges, and refunds. Customer service should also be professional and responsive. If responses to inquiries are generic, unhelpful, or delayed, this could be a sign of an unreliable operation.

Websites lacking transparency often cut corners in other areas as well, such as terms of service and privacy policies. These pages might be vague, overly complex, or entirely absent, which raises further concerns about the site’s legitimacy.

Ensuring that a site’s policies are clear and thorough can help you distinguish between trustworthy and potentially harmful platforms.

Protecting Yourself from Online Threats

Here's how you can protect yourself from online threats.

Use a Secure Browser and Web Security Tools

• Choose secure browsers: Use browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Brave, which prioritize user security and provide tools like safe browsing checks.
• Website safety checkers: Utilize tools like Google Safe Browsing, Norton Safe Web, or VirusTotal to evaluate the legitimacy of websites before engaging with them.
• Install security software: Equip your devices with reputable antivirus programs and firewalls to block malware, phishing attempts, and other online threats.
• Browser add-ons: Consider adding extensions like ad blockers or script blockers (e.g., uBlock Origin) to enhance your security further.
• Use a VPN: A high-quality VPN like Mysterium VPN will encrypt your online traffic, keeping you safe even if you stumble upon unsafe websites.

Keep Your Browser and Software Up-to-Date

• Regular updates: Always update your browser, operating system, and security software to ensure you have the latest security patches.
• Automatic scans: Enable real-time protection and schedule regular malware scans to identify potential threats early.
• Two-factor authentication: Wherever possible, enable 2FA on your accounts. This extra layer of security ensures that even if your password is compromised, your account remains protected.
• Avoid outdated software: Unpatched or outdated software can become a vulnerability. Make it a habit to uninstall software that no longer receives updates.

By combining these practices, you can create a robust defense against online threats and confidently navigate the digital world.

Conclusion

Shopping online can be convenient and rewarding, but it’s essential to ensure the website you’re using is legitimate and secure.

Follow these tips to verify a website’s credentials, avoid unsafe sites, and protect your personal and financial information.

By staying vigilant and informed, you can enjoy the benefits of online shopping without falling victim to scams.

Remember, it’s always better to double-check a site’s legitimacy than to risk compromising your sensitive data. Happy (and safe) shopping!

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