How to Tell if a Website is Safe: Digital Safety for Older Adults
Why Website Safety Matters
The internet is full of wonderful information, helpful tools, and ways to connect with others. But it also has its dangers. Visiting an unsafe website could lead to problems like:
Malware: Harmful software that can damage your computer.
Ransomware: A type of malware that locks your files until you pay money.
Identity Theft: When someone steals your personal information and pretends to be you.
Fake tech support scams: When a pop-up says your computer has been “infected” and you need to call a tech support number right away to “save” your computer before your files are deleted by Malware or Ransomware.
The good news? You can protect yourself by learning what to look out for.
Watch for Warnings from your Browser
Most modern web browsers (like Chrome, Safari, or Edge) are designed to help keep you safe. If you land on a website with known safety issues, your browser might show a fullscreen warning. These warnings could say things like:
“Your connection is not private.”
“Deceptive site ahead.”
If you see one of these messages, don’t proceed! Click “back to safety” or simply close the window.
If you are absolutely, 100% sure the site is safe, you can click “Advanced” to bypass the warning, but it’s better to be cautious.
Look for the Lock and HTTPS
When you visit a website, check the address bar at the top of your browser. Here’s what to look for:
HTTPS: A website’s address should start with “https://” (the “s” means secure).
Lock Icon: A small padlock symbol should appear to the left of the web address. Click on it, and your browser will tell you if the connection is secure.
This shows the website uses encryption to protect your information. However, even if a site has HTTPS and a lock icon, that doesn’t guarantee it’s trustworthy—but it’s a good start. Websites with an open padlock are something to watch out for, we recommend hitting the “back” button on your browser and trying a different site.
Use a Website Safety Checker
Not sure if a site is safe? Use a tool like Google’s Safe Browsing site status page.
Simply type in the website’s address, and it will tell you if the site is known to have issues. If the tool flags the site, avoid it.
Verify the Website is Actually “Real”
Scammers often create fake websites to trick people. Here are two common tricks they use:
Spoofing: A fake website that looks almost identical to a real one (like a bank or online store). The URL will be similar, but be slightly misspelled or have additional characters/letters. The trick is to steal your personal information, passwords or financial information.
Typosquatting: Buying domains with common typos (like “gooogle.com” or “facebooks.com”) to catch people who accidentally mistype.
What to do:
Double-check the URL (web address) to make sure it’s spelled correctly.
If the site seems off, close the window and clear your browsing history.
Report fake websites to help protect others.
Beware of Pop-Ups
Too many pop-ups can be a red flag. While some pop-ups are normal (like a newsletter sign-up), others are designed to trick you. Watch out for pop-ups that:
Ask for personal or financial information.
Claim your computer is infected (this is called scareware).
Advertise unrelated products or services.
To protect yourself, install a pop-up blocker on your computer or phone. Most browsers have this feature built-in.
Check Links Before Clicking
Before clicking on a link, hover your mouse over it (or press and hold on mobile devices). This will show you where the link will take you. If the destination looks suspicious or doesn’t match what you expected, don’t click it.
Pro Tip: If you’re unsure, copy the link and paste it into a URL safety checker (mentioned above). Better safe than sorry!
Use Your Common Sense
Here are some quick tips to keep in mind:
If it looks too good to be true, it probably is. Be wary of sites offering deals that seem unreal.
Pay attention to spelling and grammar. Poorly written websites can be a sign of a scam.
Watch out for Unusual Redirects: If you’re sent to a different website unexpectedly, it could be a malicious redirect.
Malicious Ads: Be cautious of ads with spelling errors or outrageous claims.
Staying safe online is all about being aware and cautious.
By following these steps, you’ll have a better chance of avoiding unsafe websites. Remember, it’s okay to take your time and double-check things—your digital safety is worth it! For more digital safety guides, check out our Resource Center or website.