This wikiHow teaches you how to evaluate the credibility of a website before using it. Apart from taking basic security measures when using the internet, you can also use the Google Transparency Report or Better Business Bureau sites to verify the legitimacy of the website.
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Method 1 of 3: Following General Tips
Step 1. Type the name of the website into a search engine and review the results
If the site in question turns out to be malicious (or turns out to be fake), a check through Google usually gives you pretty self-explanatory information.
- Google usually displays reviews from users regarding frequently visited sites at the top of the search results. Therefore, make sure you also check those reviews if they are available.
- Make sure you look at reviews and feedback from sources that are not affiliated with the website in question.
Step 2. Pay attention to the connection type of the website
Sites that start with the "https" tag are usually safer (and more trusted) than sites with the more common "http" prefix. This is because administrators of untrusted or suspicious sites usually don't bother with security certifications like sites with "https" prefixes have.
- However, sites that use "https" connections are not always reliable. Therefore, it's a good idea to also verify the site using another method.
- Make sure the payment page of the site in question is a page marked with "https".
Step 3. Check the security status of the site on the address bar of the browser
In most browsers, a "secure" website will display a green padlock icon to the left of the site's URL.
You can click on the icon to verify website details (eg the type of encryption used)
Step 4. Evaluate the site URL
A website URL consists of a connection ("http" or "https"), a domain name (eg "wikihow"), and an extension (.com", ".net", or similar). Even if you've verified that the site connection is secure, be aware of the following warning signs:
- Multiple dashes or symbols in a domain name.
- A domain name that mimics a real business/company name (eg "Amaz0n" or "NikeOutlet").
- Fake sites that use trusted site templates (eg "visihow").
- Domain extensions like ".biz" and ".info". These sites are usually not credible.
- Also keep in mind that sites with ".com" and ".net" extensions are the easiest domain extensions to find, although these sites are not necessarily untrusted. Therefore, sites with such extensions do not have the same credibility as sites with ".edu" (educational institutions) or ".gov" (government institutions) extensions.
Step 5. Watch for poor use of English or Indonesian on the site
If you find a lot of poorly spelled (or missing) words, poor grammar, or odd wording, you should question the site's reliability.
Although the site in question is technically sound and is not a fraudulent site, the use of inaccurate language can raise doubts about the accuracy of the information offered so that the site does not become a trusted source of information
Step 6. Beware of annoying ads
If the site you're accessing has a lot of ads that fill its pages, or shows ads that automatically play audio, there's a good chance the site isn't a credible page. Also, try searching for information or content on other sites if you see ads like these on the sites you visit:
- Ads that fill the entire page.
- Ads that require you to take a survey (or complete a specific task) before you can proceed to another step.
- Ads that redirect you to another page.
- Ads that are explicit or sexually suggestive.
Step 7. Use the "Contact" page on the site
Most sites provide a “Contact” page where users can ask questions, upload comments, and submit complaints to site owners. If possible, call the phone number or send an email to the address shown to verify the legitimacy of the website.
- Make sure you scroll all the way to the end to find the “Contact” page.
- If the site in question does not display a “Contact” page link, this can be a warning sign for you.
Step 8. Use the "WhoIs" search service to find out who registered the domain of the website in question
All domains are required to display the contact information of the user or company that registered them. You can get “WhoIs” information for the site in question from most companies that manage website domain reservations, or services like https://whois.domaintools.com/. Some of the things you should look for include:
- Private registration: You can register your domain privately. In this process, instead of the actual domain owner, the private registration service provider acts as the domain liaison. If the domain of the site in question uses private registration, you need to be careful.
- Suspicious contact information: For example, if the domain registrar's name is Steve Smith, but his email address is "[email protected]", this discrepancy could indicate that the registrar is trying to hide his true identity.
- Recent registrations or transfers: Recent domain registrations or transfers may indicate that the site is untrusted.
Method 2 of 3: Using Google Transparency Report
Step 1. Open the Google Transparency Report web page
You can quickly check website addresses through this service to find out how secure they are from Google.
Step 2. Click the "Search by URL" field
This column is in the middle of the page.
Step 3. Type in the website URL
This URL consists of the website name (eg "wikihow") and its extension (eg ".com").
For best results, copy the website URL and paste it into the field
Step 4. Click the blue magnifying glass button
Step 5. Review the displayed results
The sites displayed are rated with several categories such as " No data available ", " Not dangerous ", to " Partially dangerous ", and so on.
- For example, sites like WikiHow and YouTube received a “Not dangerous” rating from Google, while Reddit was rated “Partially dangerous” for “deceptive content” (e.g. ads that mislead users).
- The Google Transparency Report will also provide an explanation or example regarding what prompted Google to give a certain rating on a site. That way, you can determine for yourself whether the reason for giving the assessment makes sense to you or not.
Method 3 of 3: Using the Better Business Bureau
Step 1. Go to the Better Business Bureau webpage
The Better Business Bureau website offers a verification process that you can use to validate selected websites.
Keep in mind that the Better Business Bureau website is actually designed to match your business or business with the website you provide. If you simply want to ensure the security of the website you need to access, use Google Transparency Report
Step 2. Click the Find a Business tab
Step 3. Click the "Find a" text field
Step 4. Type in the website URL
For best results, copy and paste the full URL of the site into the field.
Step 5. Click the " Near " column
Step 6. Type in the location
Although not mandatory, the location entries you enter can narrow the search results.
If you don't know the geographic location of your business, skip this step
Step 7. Click Search
Step 8. Review the displayed results
You can verify a website's credibility by making a comparison between the Better Business Bureau search results and the website's claims.
- For example, if a website you visit claims to sell shoes, but the Better Business Bureau links the URL of that website to an advertising revenue service, that site is a scam site.
- However, if the results from the Better Business Bureau are in line with the theme of the site, you can trust the site.
