Website verification is the process of confirming the legitimacy and security of a website. There are several ways sites get verified:
HTTPS and SSL certificates
HTTPS stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure. It means that communication between your browser and the site is encrypted. Encrypted data is scrambled so that cybercriminals cannot steal sensitive information as it travels between you and the website. Sites with HTTPS will display a padlock icon. SSL certificates are what enable HTTPS. SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer. SSL certificates are issued by certificate authorities, which are trusted third-party organizations. Verify that the website is owned by the company it claims to be.
Extended validation certificates
Extended Validation (EV) certificates provide a higher level of verification than regular SSL certificates. EV certificates require a more thorough verification process of the website owner’s identity and business legitimacy. Sites with EV certificates will display the company or organization name highlighted in green.
Trust seals and badges
Many websites display trust seals or badges from third parties that have verified their legitimacy. Some well-known seals include the Better Business Bureau, TRUSTe, and McAfee SECURE. These seals reassure visitors that the site has been vetted.
Site authentication in search engines
Search engines like Google and Bing also provide verification indicators. When Google has authenticated and verified a website, its name will display under the link in search results. Bing will show a green checkmark icon next to verified sites and 먹튀검증 사이트찾기.
Why is website verification important?
There are several reasons why website verification matters for Internet users:
- Avoid scams – Scam websites often lack verification to appear legitimate. Checking for site authentication protects you from fraud.
- Prevent malware – Malicious sites infect your device with viruses and malware. Verified websites are much less likely to contain harmful software.
- Secure data – Without HTTPS encryption, your data is stolen as it travels back and forth. Verification provides data security.
- Establish credibility – Verified sites are more trustworthy since they have been vetted by reputable third parties.
- Ensure safety – Purchasing counterfeit goods from unverified sites is dangerous. Verification confirms you’re buying real, safe products.
- Check company legitimacy – Fraudulent sites often impersonate real businesses. Verification indicates it’s an authentic company site.
- Avoid phishing – Phishing sites pretend to be legitimate to steal your information. Verification prevents you from being tricked.
- Get quality content – Misinformation runs rampant online. Verified news and information sites are more credible.
How to check site verification?
Verifying websites takes little effort. Here are some tips:
- Look for the padlock and HTTPS in the URL
- Check for extended validation highlighted in green
- See if the site displays trust seals and badges
- Search the site name plus “scam” or “review” to check for warnings
- Verify the site through a WHOIS domain lookup
- See if Google and Bing have authenticated the site
Install browser extensions like HTTPS Everywhere to automatically switch sites to HTTPS. Use Web of Trust browser add-ons to view crowd-sourced ratings and reviews of websites. When in doubt, think twice before entering sensitive information on unverified sites. Limit the use of these sites when possible.
