It’s become more crucial than ever to be able to recognise bogus websites and steer clear of internet frauds with the growth of e-commerce and online transactions. It’s critical to be watchful since cybercriminals are constantly coming up with new ways to deceive individuals into disclosing sensitive personal and financial information.
We’ll look at some advice for recognising phoney websites and preventing online fraud in this article.
Verify the URL.
Checking the URL is one of the simplest ways to identify a bogus website. The URLs of fake websites frequently resemble those of real websites but differ slightly. For instance, they can alter the top-level domain to something else (like.net instead of.com) or include more words or characters in the domain name.
Before to input any private or financial data on a website, double-check the URL to make sure it’s the correct one. You can also hover over links to see where they lead before clicking on them.
Find the padlock, please
The padlock icon in the address bar is another indicator of a trustworthy website. This signifies that the website has an SSL certificate, which ensures the security and encryption of any data transferred between your computer and the website.
But, keep in mind that a website’s legitimacy isn’t always implied by the presence of a padlock emblem. It’s crucial to utilize additional verification techniques because cybercriminals can acquire SSL certificates for phoney websites.
Prevent suspicious links and pop-ups
A fraudulent website or an online scam may sometimes be indicated by suspicious pop-up windows and links, so take caution when using them. Pop-ups and links are used by cybercriminals to deceive people into downloading malware or entering personal information.
If you encounter a pop-up or link that seems suspicious, close it immediately and do not click on it. You can also use browser extensions and antivirus software to block pop-ups and protect your computer from malware.
I am the Assistant Editor at CIO TechWorld. With over a decade of experience in the media and publishing industry, I specialize in research and collaborate with technology companies to bring their stories to life. Explore my articles on CIO TechWorld, where I offer unique perspectives on technology topics.
