Your information will be encrypted before being sent to a server.ДЄnother sign to look for is the вЂњLockвЂќ icon that is displayed somewhere in the window of your web browser.

The вЂњsвЂќ at the end of вЂњhttpвЂќ stands for secure and is using an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) connection. A secure websiteвЂ™s URL should begin with вЂњhttpsвЂќ rather than вЂњhttpвЂќ. One such sign to look for is in the URL of the website. To avoid this, make sure that the website is encrypted over a secure connection. Once your information is entered online, it is transmitted as plain text for anyone to intercept. Equally important is verifying that any information you enter on this site is transmitted and stored properly. When visiting a website that asks for sensitive information such as credit card numbers or your social security number, the first step you can take to securing your privacy is creating a strong password. After all, it is by smart people noticing something wrong and reporting it that the above tools can do their job. You should also always be on the lookout for the clues and telltale hints that you are on a malicious website. Does it look different from what it claimed to lead you to? Right-clicking a hyperlink and selecting вЂњPropertiesвЂќ will reveal the true destination of the link. Do some research to find reviews or warnings from other users. Is the website offering you a product or service at an unheard of price? Or maybe they are promising you a huge return on investment? If the offer looks too good to be true, trust your instincts.

If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.

An accidental mistype may lead you to a fraudulent version of the site. If this is a website you frequent, is the URL spelled correctly? Often times, phishers will set up websites almost identical to the spelling of the site you are trying to visit. If doubtful, contact them by phone or email to establish their legitimacy. Does the website list contact information or some signs of a real-world presence. Does a website look strange to you? Is it asking for sensitive personal information? If it looks unsafe, donвЂ™t take the risk. Even if sent from someone you trust, always type the link into your browser

Never click on a link embedded in an email.

Here are the most prevalent tell-tale signs of a threatening website and some ways that you can protect yourself: The best thing you can do is to avoid malicious websites altogether.

One of the many ways they can do this is by attacking your computer or trying to gather your information from an infected or malicious website you may visit, even if only once. With more people storing personal information on their computers, it has never been more important to protect yourself from internet predators looking to gain access to your files.

Online website check for malware