How to know if a website is trustworthy: essential tips for browsing safely

Protect your data and browse with confidence: learn how to identify secure websites and avoid internet fraud with these essential tips

Browsing the internet is a daily activity, but it also involves risks, such as fraud and personal data theft. 

Knowing how to identify whether a website is trustworthy is crucial to protect your information and avoid losses. 

Below, we present practical and optimized tips to help you evaluate the security of any website before interacting or making purchases.

Tips to know if a website is trustworthy

1. Check if the URL is correct and secure (HTTPS)

The website address should be correctly written, without typos, swapped letters, or strange characters, as malicious sites often use similar URLs to deceive users. 

Also, prefer sites that start with HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure), indicated by a padlock in the navigation bar. 

This means the connection is encrypted, protecting your data from interception.

2. Research the reputation and history of the website

Before trusting a website, do a quick Google search using terms like “site name + complaint” or “site name + is it trustworthy”. 

Platforms such as Reclame Aqui, Trustpilot, and Google My Business are great for checking reviews and experiences from other users. 

Websites with many complaints or no reliable history should be avoided.

3. Check security seals and certifications

Trustworthy websites often display security seals from recognized companies, such as Norton Secured, McAfee Secure, and TrustArc. However, it is important to click on these seals to verify if they redirect to the official certifier’s page, ensuring they are not fake.

4. Analyze the layout and contact information

A trustworthy website generally has a professional layout, clear information about the company, privacy policies, terms of use, and accessible contact details such as physical address, phone number, and email. 

The absence of this information could be a red flag.

5. Check domain information

Tools like Whois allow you to verify the domain age, the person responsible for the registration, and the website’s validity. Very new domains or those with hidden information could indicate a lack of reliability.

6. Use security and verification tools

There are online services that evaluate website security, indicating if there are records of fraud or technical issues. 

Using these tools helps avoid traps on the internet.

Frequently asked questions about how to know if a website is trustworthy

1. What does the padlock on the browser’s address bar mean?

The padlock indicates that the website uses SSL/TLS encryption to protect data exchange between you and the website, making the connection secure against interceptions.

2. Can I trust any website with HTTPS?

Not necessarily. HTTPS guarantees the encryption of the connection but does not guarantee that the website is trustworthy or legitimate. It is important to check other aspects, such as reputation and security seals.

3. How to identify if a security seal is real?

Click on the seal to see if it redirects to the certifying company’s official page. Fake seals will not have this valid link. 

4. What to do if I find complaints about a website?

Evaluate the severity and number of complaints. 

If there are many and consistent ones, avoid using the site. Look for more reliable alternatives.

5. Are new websites always insecure?

Not always, but newly created websites may not have enough history to ensure safety. Proceed with caution and prefer sites with a well-established reputation. 

By following these tips, you can browse and shop online more securely, protecting your personal data and avoiding scams. 

Attention to detail and prior research are your best tools for identifying trustworthy websites.