How to Browse the Internet Safely

Entire websites can be set up as scams meant to infect the security of your computer and access your personal information. Remember to double-check every site that you visit. Here are tips to help identify if a website is fake:

1. Make sure the site’s URL doesn’t have two domains. Sometimes scammers will create a false website and disguise the actual site’s domain with a fake one. This leads to URLs having more than one domain hidden inside. Here’s how that might look: officialwebsite.org.confirmation-assistant-phony.com/signin?US&x=en_US
2. Look for a padlock symbol in front of the site’s URL. But remember that this alone isn’t good enough to prove the authenticity of a site—studies show that roughly 84% of scammers still include this symbol to fool people into believing the site is legit.
3. Look for poor spelling or wonky designs. These are signs that the site is either mimicking another or a fake.
4. Check how long the site has been active. Iplocation.net has a useful tool that checks the authenticity of a website. Just copy and paste the site’s URL and hit submit to see how long the site has existed. If the website hasn’t existed for very long but the company is older, then you know it’s a scam.
5. Click the URL to ensure it starts with https://. If you see https:// on a website URL, it means that all data and communication made within the site is encrypted and secure.
6. Be wary of any online stores with too-good-to-be-true deals. Scammers know that if you give anyone a deal that’s too good to pass up, the money comes flowing in. So don’t be that person who rushes to enter your card information for a deal that will only ever be a scam.
7. Don’t let emotions prompt you into making a rash decision. Go to a website directly rather than using links within an email or text. Urgent messages such as “An unauthorized user has signed into your account. Click this link immediately to change your password and secure your account.” are often linked to fake password login pages, customer support websites, or package delivery websites. They trick you into entering your login information, and the scammer has it.
8. Avoid remaining on sites that contain consistent pop-ups. Aggressive pop-ups can be malicious and infect your device.
9. Only log in to Medicare and health insurance sites directly, rather than through a link sent to you. Scammers will create fraudulent Medicare or health insurance sites to trick you into handing out sensitive information.
10. Always double-check too-good-to-be-true flights before you book them. From fake flight cancellation messages to bogus flight booking sites, scammers take full advantage of the airline business.
11. Be wary of “free” products and services. It’s likely that there are hidden strings attached to any free service so always ask yourself, “Why is it free,” do your research, and go from there.

Adapted from the article “50 Internet Safety Tips for 2023,” published by Deseret First Credit Union”.