Is the website you are visiting safe? Scam protection tips
Posted: Sat Dec 07, 2024 3:44 am
Internet security is incredibly important. Even if you know how identity theft methods work, it can be difficult to protect yourself from the actions of criminals.
Websites are actively used to steal information from users. Using various methods and tools, attackers can interact with users and force them to perform the actions they need.
In this article, we will tell you how to know if the site you are about to visit is safe and legal.
Content
Fake websites: what is their danger?
fake sites danger of using
It is not entirely true to say that every “fake site” is dangerous. It all depends on the context in which the site is created. For example, sometimes users create satirical portals that aim to parody certain phenomena or media, using similar names and domains. However, you, as a visitor, cannot know the author’s intentions for sure, because you have no guarantee that these resources will not be involved in criminal activity later.
In most cases, fake sites focus on several areas:
Identity theft. Some websites disguise themselves nigeria phone number library as existing stores, marketplaces, blogs. This way, the user will think that they are on the original website, so they will register on it without any problems, share other data, which can then be used for malicious mailings, fraud, theft, and blackmail.
Spreading fake information. In some cases, attackers steal the identity of another site, perhaps even a reputable one, to spread fake information. There can be many reasons. On the one hand, such actions may be aimed at obtaining financial gain, such as manipulation of the securities market, spreading false information about certain companies. On the other hand, such actions may be aimed at undermining the security of Ukraine.
Distribution of malware. For example, if you want to download a program to your PC, you need to make sure that the site you are on is safe. On the other hand, a fake site may offer you to download a program, such as a convenient extension, a time saver, or a game. After downloading, you may get malware, which will negatively affect the operation of your computer or smartphone.
It is important to understand that even if someone creates a satirical parody of an existing website, but uses its logo, name or elements very similar to the original, there is no guarantee that this resource will not be used for criminal activity.
How can you be sure that the website you are on is safe?
fake domains how to distinguish
Previously, we described the potential danger of fake sites, which are quite easy to detect. However, many sites do not copy others, do not try to disguise themselves, but on the contrary, are completely new, but no less dangerous. By analogy with phishing sites, identifying unsafe sites is not a difficult task. To do this, you need to do the following:
Check the link. Check if the link to the site you are on is correct. If, for example, you wanted to buy something on prom.ua, check that the link has not been modified. In addition, pay attention to the site's protocols. So, if the protocol is "http" - the site is unreliable and you should immediately leave it. If the protocol is "https", then you can continue checking the site.
Reviews of the site. As a rule, users leave their reviews about the sites of intruders. By viewing them, you can find out why the review is negative and what consequences using the site can cause. For searching, you can use both Google maps and local services, such as otzyvua.net.
Media mentions. Often, even without user reviews, you can find media mentions of a particular site if it is quite popular.
Checking a site through independent resources. For example, you can use the site check.ema.com - it is enough to insert a link to the site you need. After that, you will receive detailed information about the site, including reviews. However, it is worth considering that this is a base that is constantly being supplemented. You can also help improve this resource by pointing out dangerous sites.
These basic things will help you ensure that the site you are visiting is completely safe.
How to find a safe site in an unfamiliar area?
secure sites in different areas
In some cases, users discover new things. Situations when it is necessary to find a specific site in a niche about which a person does not understand much are not uncommon.
For example, if you want to learn more about cryptocurrency and blockchain technology, you will find a large number of resources. For people who have no idea how to buy tokens, each site will look quite safe and legitimate.
In this case, it will be quite difficult to make sure that the resource is legal, but it is still possible. It is important to immediately choose the site that interests you and start exploring it.
Check who advertised the resource. If it is advertised by a blogger who has repeatedly been noticed in advertising low-quality products or outright fraud, then using what he advertises will be a mistake.
Check how active the audience of the people who advertise the resource is. For example, if you see that the site is advertised by a blogger who has more than 2 million subscribers, and the views on the video are no more than 20-100 thousand - this is a bad sign. There is a high probability that such an actor will seize any opportunity from advertisers, without thinking about how safe the advertised product is for the audience.
Try searching on YouTube. For example, search for the site name plus the word “scam.” This way, you can find videos with reviews that can prove in one way or another that the platform is unsafe to use.
Check if recognizable businesses have recommended the product. If, for example, you are looking for a CRM system, or any other integration tool, you should check if large companies (or representatives of such companies) have recommended it. It is always a risk for a business to advertise certain products, so if something is recommended, it is most likely a really high-quality product.
You can also check what the site was like before using WayBackMachine (an archive that contains information about a large number of sites and allows you to view the history of page changes), but this method does not always work. In addition, especially when it comes to sites aimed at financial transactions, you can find out more about the company: where it is registered, whether the company has other sites, what reviews there are about the company itself.
How does Weblium fight fake sites?
Weblium is a website builder, so it is extremely important to us that our platform is not used for criminal activities. This is why we constantly check the websites that are created in our builder.
Also, our support service is always in touch, so if you have information that a site is involved in criminal activity or completely copies another brand, please report it to us.
However, it is always important to check how secure a website is before you download anything or enter your personal information.
Websites are actively used to steal information from users. Using various methods and tools, attackers can interact with users and force them to perform the actions they need.
In this article, we will tell you how to know if the site you are about to visit is safe and legal.
Content
Fake websites: what is their danger?
fake sites danger of using
It is not entirely true to say that every “fake site” is dangerous. It all depends on the context in which the site is created. For example, sometimes users create satirical portals that aim to parody certain phenomena or media, using similar names and domains. However, you, as a visitor, cannot know the author’s intentions for sure, because you have no guarantee that these resources will not be involved in criminal activity later.
In most cases, fake sites focus on several areas:
Identity theft. Some websites disguise themselves nigeria phone number library as existing stores, marketplaces, blogs. This way, the user will think that they are on the original website, so they will register on it without any problems, share other data, which can then be used for malicious mailings, fraud, theft, and blackmail.
Spreading fake information. In some cases, attackers steal the identity of another site, perhaps even a reputable one, to spread fake information. There can be many reasons. On the one hand, such actions may be aimed at obtaining financial gain, such as manipulation of the securities market, spreading false information about certain companies. On the other hand, such actions may be aimed at undermining the security of Ukraine.
Distribution of malware. For example, if you want to download a program to your PC, you need to make sure that the site you are on is safe. On the other hand, a fake site may offer you to download a program, such as a convenient extension, a time saver, or a game. After downloading, you may get malware, which will negatively affect the operation of your computer or smartphone.
It is important to understand that even if someone creates a satirical parody of an existing website, but uses its logo, name or elements very similar to the original, there is no guarantee that this resource will not be used for criminal activity.
How can you be sure that the website you are on is safe?
fake domains how to distinguish
Previously, we described the potential danger of fake sites, which are quite easy to detect. However, many sites do not copy others, do not try to disguise themselves, but on the contrary, are completely new, but no less dangerous. By analogy with phishing sites, identifying unsafe sites is not a difficult task. To do this, you need to do the following:
Check the link. Check if the link to the site you are on is correct. If, for example, you wanted to buy something on prom.ua, check that the link has not been modified. In addition, pay attention to the site's protocols. So, if the protocol is "http" - the site is unreliable and you should immediately leave it. If the protocol is "https", then you can continue checking the site.
Reviews of the site. As a rule, users leave their reviews about the sites of intruders. By viewing them, you can find out why the review is negative and what consequences using the site can cause. For searching, you can use both Google maps and local services, such as otzyvua.net.
Media mentions. Often, even without user reviews, you can find media mentions of a particular site if it is quite popular.
Checking a site through independent resources. For example, you can use the site check.ema.com - it is enough to insert a link to the site you need. After that, you will receive detailed information about the site, including reviews. However, it is worth considering that this is a base that is constantly being supplemented. You can also help improve this resource by pointing out dangerous sites.
These basic things will help you ensure that the site you are visiting is completely safe.
How to find a safe site in an unfamiliar area?
secure sites in different areas
In some cases, users discover new things. Situations when it is necessary to find a specific site in a niche about which a person does not understand much are not uncommon.
For example, if you want to learn more about cryptocurrency and blockchain technology, you will find a large number of resources. For people who have no idea how to buy tokens, each site will look quite safe and legitimate.
In this case, it will be quite difficult to make sure that the resource is legal, but it is still possible. It is important to immediately choose the site that interests you and start exploring it.
Check who advertised the resource. If it is advertised by a blogger who has repeatedly been noticed in advertising low-quality products or outright fraud, then using what he advertises will be a mistake.
Check how active the audience of the people who advertise the resource is. For example, if you see that the site is advertised by a blogger who has more than 2 million subscribers, and the views on the video are no more than 20-100 thousand - this is a bad sign. There is a high probability that such an actor will seize any opportunity from advertisers, without thinking about how safe the advertised product is for the audience.
Try searching on YouTube. For example, search for the site name plus the word “scam.” This way, you can find videos with reviews that can prove in one way or another that the platform is unsafe to use.
Check if recognizable businesses have recommended the product. If, for example, you are looking for a CRM system, or any other integration tool, you should check if large companies (or representatives of such companies) have recommended it. It is always a risk for a business to advertise certain products, so if something is recommended, it is most likely a really high-quality product.
You can also check what the site was like before using WayBackMachine (an archive that contains information about a large number of sites and allows you to view the history of page changes), but this method does not always work. In addition, especially when it comes to sites aimed at financial transactions, you can find out more about the company: where it is registered, whether the company has other sites, what reviews there are about the company itself.
How does Weblium fight fake sites?
Weblium is a website builder, so it is extremely important to us that our platform is not used for criminal activities. This is why we constantly check the websites that are created in our builder.
Also, our support service is always in touch, so if you have information that a site is involved in criminal activity or completely copies another brand, please report it to us.
However, it is always important to check how secure a website is before you download anything or enter your personal information.