The internet has been around for quite a long time now, but navigating the constant changes and developments can be tricky. Especially when scammers and fraudsters can quickly and easily create dodgy websites, circulate false information, and publish fake posts on social media.
That's why we’ve put together some tips for identifying whether a website you’re visiting is a secure one or not. You don’t need to be an IT expert, you just need to look at your internet browser’s address bar. Here’s what to look for:
Look for 's' to indicate whether a website is secure or not
When it comes to website security, one little letter can make all the difference. The rule to live by? The 'S' in 'HTTPS' stands for “Secure”.
These few letters – HTTPS – can be the difference between keeping your data and personal information safe or making it vulnerable to online criminals. Every website you visit has to send and receive information across the internet to process your request. This happens every time you visit a website, click on a link or interact with anything online.
Websites use either HTTP or HTTPS to process these requests. The additional 'S' means the information is being sent with an added layer of security, and this helps keep your data safe.
Be aware! Some fraudsters do set up HTTPS websites to try and trick you into sharing information directly with them. Always be sure to look out for other security measures too to avoid falling victim to something nasty. The small but mighty 'S' is just one thing that can reduce your risk when you’re online.
A padlock – the universal indicator for security
Our next tip is an easy one to spot. Located in your navigation bar, next to the URL (or website address), the padlock icon generally means the website you’re visiting is safe for you to enter sensitive information into. The icon can be grey or green depending on the browser you use, and is displayed next to a company’s name or the word “Secure” (in some older browser versions).
If you’re only seeing the information icon when visiting a website, it’s best to be cautious about entering private information. Beware of the danger icon – this is a sign that the website you’ve landed on should be avoided.
Don’t worry if you’re unsure about what an icon means. Most browsers actually allow you to click on the displayed icon and view more details about what it means. You can also visit your internet browser’s support area for helpful hints and tips for identifying secure websites.
Always look for spelling and grammar errors
It’s simple, but grammar and spelling is often overlooked when it comes to a website’s URL. Fraudsters often try and impersonate high profile businesses or organisations by creating a website that uses a URL similar to the original. For example, “amaz0n.com.au” or “amazon-com.au”.
If you’re using a trusted search engine tool, like Google or Bing, the real website should be amongst, if not be, the top results. Better yet, if you know the address for the website you want to visit, type it directly into your address bar. If you visit our website regularly for online banking, then you can ‘bookmark’ our website homepage to make navigating to us quicker.
While being on the lookout for just one of these indicators can increase your online security, the digital world is ever evolving. Cyber criminals are constantly using new technology to get personal data or money. It’s essential to always check for all three of these things before trusting a website.