Hack of the day: Identify and avoid malicious websites

'The Times of India' brings you 'Hack of the Day'—a new weekday series of quick, practical solutions to everyday hassles. Each hack is designed to save you time, money or stress, using tools and features within your reach—from government websites to everyday apps. In simple words it is: Simple fixes for smarter living.Worried about clicking on a suspicious link? You can check if a website is safe in seconds using tools already built into your browser. Unsafe websites can steal your personal information, install malware, or trick you into phishing scams. Cybercriminals often disguise malicious pages to look trustworthy, making it easy to fall into traps by mistake.

Why this matters: Unsafe sites can host malware, phishing scams, or fake offers designed to steal passwords, credit card numbers, or other sensitive information.

Some sites install viruses without your knowledge, while others hijack your browser or redirect you to sketchy pages. Checking a site's safety before entering any information protects your data, privacy, and device.

Here's how to identify spam websites instantly

Option 1: Check for HTTPS and security warningsStep 1: Look at the website's URL in the address barStep 2: Check for the padlock icon and "https://" at the startStep 3: Click the padlock to view the SSL certificate detailsIf you see "Not Secure" or no padlock, avoid entering any personal information.

HTTPS means the connection is encrypted, preventing others from reading your data. However, note that some scam sites also use HTTPS, so this is just the first check.Option 2: Use browser's built-in protectionModern browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Safari include built-in security tools like Google Safe Browsing that automatically flag dangerous sites. If you see warnings like "Deceptive site ahead" or "Your connection is not private," do not proceed.

These warnings mean the browser has identified the site as potentially harmful.Keep your browser updated to ensure these protections work with the latest threat data.

Additional quick checks:

Inspect the URL carefully: Scammers often register lookalike domains that differ by just one letter. For example, "exaample.com" instead of "example.com." Always double-check the spelling.Verify trust badges: Many sites display security badges, but these can be fake.

Real badges are usually clickable and link to the certifying organization. If badges aren't clickable or lead nowhere, be cautious.Check contact information: Legitimate businesses provide real-world details like physical address and phone number. Missing or incomplete contact details are red flags.Watch for excessive pop-ups: If a site floods your screen with windows you can't easily close or keeps redirecting you, leave immediately.

Legitimate sites rarely use aggressive pop-ups.Why this works: These checks use your browser's direct connection to security databases that track known malicious websites. The process is instant and helps you avoid phishing traps before entering any information.What to do if you visited an unsafe site: Disconnect from the internet immediately, close the browser tab without clicking anything, run an antivirus scan, and change passwords for any accounts you may have accessed. Clear your browser cache and cookies to remove tracking scripts.