We have nearly stepped into 2020 yet the number of phishing attacks online is still growing. There is no indication that this cybersecurity threat trend could die down any time soon. With that in mind, it is important to raise awareness and alert internet users of the potential threats they might come across online.
If you’re not familiar with the term phishing, it is a practice of sending false emails and landing pages to lure users to reveal their personal information. There are two ways you can find yourself in a phishing scam: through a link forwarded via email, or through a suspicious site you accessed online.
Regardless of how you come across a potentially dangerous website, it is important to know how to tell the difference between a real site and a phishing one. Here are four tips that will help you detect suspicious activity and prevent a security incident in time.
#1 Check Out the URL
The first thing you should look at when accessing a new site is the URL in the browser. Users don’t usually pay much attention to the URL, which could be a mistake. The URL hides important information that could reveal whether a site is real or not. For instance, check whether there are any typos or unnecessary numbers or letters in the link. These will let you know that the site you’re on could be fake.
#2 Pat Attention to the Connection Security Indicators
Right next to the URL should be a small icon of a padlock that indicates a secure network connection. If there is no padlock icon or if the icon is red, it means the site you’re on is not secured, hence you shouldn’t stay on it any longer, let alone submit any personal information.
#3 Consider the Quality of the Site
Sometimes the quality of the site itself can tell you whether you’re on a real website or not. Look at all the pages of the site and check if it looks professional. Does it have any typos or low quality images? These could mean that the site you’re on is a fake replica of a more reputable brand or company.
#4 Look for Trust Seals
Real websites usually have trust seals on landing pages and checkout pages or signup forms. A trust seal is a clickable image that reassures the visitor that their data is protected. You’ve probably seen hundreds of trust seals online on sites that state “secured by Norton” or “protected by PayPal.” If the site does have a trust seal, make sure to click on it to check if it is real or if it is just a fake image taken off Google.
Conclusion
Knowing how to tell the difference between a real site and a fake phishing site can save you a lot of trouble and headache in the future. Besides remaining aware of potential threats, make sure to implement other security measures such as the use of VPN and two-factor authentication where possible.
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