I’ve been designing and managing websites since 2019, and trust me, I’ve seen all kinds—clean websites, poorly designed ones, and the dangerous ones you must avoid at all cost.
So when people ask me: “Eventus, how can I tell if a website is safe?” I smile, because this one question can save a lot of people from losing money, data, and peace of mind.
How Can I Tell If a Website Is Safe?
You can tell a website is safe by checking for HTTPS security, examining the URL spelling, confirming the presence of a padlock icon, verifying contact/business details, checking reviews, and using trusted website safety scanners.
A safe website is usually transparent, properly secured, and does not pressure you into doing things quickly—like paying, downloading, or logging in.
7 Sure Ways to Tell If a Website Is Safe
1. Check for HTTPS (Not HTTP)
A safe website must start with:
https:// and not http://.
That extra “s” means the website has an SSL certificate, which encrypts data.
Look for this in your browser: 🔒
If the padlock is missing or shows a warning, leave immediately.
2. Inspect the URL Carefully
Scammers like using URLs that look similar to real websites. For example:
- real site: gtbank.com
- fake site: g-tbank.com or gtbannk.com
If the spelling looks off or unusual, the website might be fake.
3. Check the About Page, Contact Details & Real Business Information
Legit websites always provide:
- A real company address
- Phone numbers
- Email addresses
- About page explaining who they are
Fake websites hide under vague statements like “We are the best online store in Nigeria” without giving any real identity.
If you can’t verify the business, don’t trust the website.
4. Look for Professional Design & Functionality
A scam website almost always looks:
- disorganized
- filled with bad English
- full of pop-ups
- containing broken links
Legit websites may vary in design quality, but they usually look consistent and professional.
After years of troubleshooting poorly built websites, I can tell at first glance when something feels “off.”
5. Read Independent Reviews Before Trusting the Site
If a website claims something unbelievable, check reviews online.
Use Google or platforms like Trustpilot to see what others are saying.
If nobody is talking about the site, be careful.
If the reviews are too perfect, be suspicious.
If there are many complaints, run!
6. Use a Website Safety Checker
When in doubt, use a scanner to test the site. Some include:
- Google Safe Browsing Checker
- Norton Safe Web
- VirusTotal
Just paste the website link and see if anything dangerous is detected.
7. Watch Out for Red Flags
- Too-good-to-be-true offers
- Requests for personal details too early
- Strange redirects
- Pressure to “pay now”
- Pop-ups asking you to download unknown apps
If you see any of these signs, it’s safer to avoid the website.
How Fake Websites Trick People in Nigeria (and How to Avoid Them)
Some fake websites pretend to be:
- Bank login pages
- Government job portals
- Online marketplaces selling phones at ridiculous prices
- Investment sites promising 50% daily returns
- Fake scholarship sites
These scams work because many people don’t pay attention to the URL.
Always double-check the web address before entering details.
What to Do If You Accidentally Enter a Fake Website
- Close the website immediately
- Do not click anything on the page
- Do not enter any passwords or card details
- Clear your browser history
- Update your phone or PC security
If you logged in with a password, change it immediately.
Other Helpful Guides (Interlinking)
Read more from the website safety cluster:
- How to Check a Fake Website
- Most Visited Website in Nigeria
- Can You Host a Website on Your Phone?
- How Websites Work
Final Thoughts
The Internet is powerful, but also filled with traps.
If you follow the steps above, you will be able to tell immediately whether a website is safe—long before you click any suspicious link.
Your safety online is as important as your safety in real life. Never take it for granted.