Staying safe online starts with knowing what to look for to determine whether a website is safe and trustworthy, especially if you need to share personal or financial information.
Whether you’re shopping, signing up for a streaming service, or trying to discover trusted sites for online entertainment like casino games, the signs of a secure website are the same. For example, trusted casino platforms consistently follow industry-standard security practices, like having clear privacy policies, secure URLs, and transparent terms and conditions. These same indicators should be assessed for each website you visit.
One of the simplest checks is the padlock symbol that appears in your browser’s address bar. This little icon shows that your connection is encrypted and that the site has a legit security certificate. When you click on the icon, you can confirm who the certificate was issued to, ensuring it aligns with the business you’re trying to reach.
You should also make sure the URL begins with https:// and not http://. The “s” stands for “secure” and indicates that the site has obtained authentication. Although it doesn’t necessarily guarantee legitimacy, most fraudulent sites avoid the extra step because they’re often taken down quickly.
Your internet browser can also help you stay protected. Modern browsers have built-in security tools that block suspicious downloads and warn you when you’re trying to access an unsafe page. Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari all have clear controls in their settings where you can manage permissions and access to your camera or microphone.
Search engines are also useful to check out suspicious-looking websites. Google and Bing prioritise legitimate, high-traffic domains. Websites that appear at the top of the search results are usually deemed trustworthy. If you put a website URL in your search engine search bar, you may get a warning label like “This site may harm your computer”. Your search engine automatically generates this flag, and the warning should be taken seriously.
Before you click any link on a search engine result page or in an email, you should hover your cursor over it to preview the destination URL. Even legitimate-looking URL text can redirect you somewhere else.
For extra security, website-checking tools can be used to scan URLs for malware, spoofing, or phishing attempts. Google’s Transparency Report, VirusTotal, and Norton Safe Web give quick assessments that can help you avoid dangerous or suspicious sites. Although these tools are helpful, also remember that some third-party checkers collect personal data, so always verify their privacy practices.
Legitimate websites will always publish a privacy policy explaining how they handle user information. If the site lacks one, or it is so deeply hidden you can’t find it, it is a red flag. If you find it, do a quick scan for words like “data retention” or “third parties” to see how your data is handled.
Lastly, consider the website’s design. Low-quality graphics, stock photos, broken links, and inconsistent branding show that the page was hastily put together. When you pair this with customer reviews on platforms like Feefo or Trustpilot, you will get insight into whether the business behind the website can be trusted.