How do I know what websites I can trust?
As anyone can build a website or make a forum post, therefore, it can be difficult to know what content to trust on the Internet. Still, there are some steps given below that will help you to gain a better understanding of what to trust and give you peace of mind.
Spelling and grammar
In modern times, anyone can create a web page or make a forum post. If you see a web page containing spelling or grammar errors, there is more likely to have authored this webpage by someone who is unconcerned about the quality of the content or who is illiterate.
You need to take caution when following their advice if what you are reading contains numerous spelling or grammar errors.
Where posted
When you see a website that is designed for a particular topic, there is more chance to provide accurate and useful information as compared to one that is not. For instance, as compared to a website that provides food and shopping information, a site like tutoraspire provides more support for computers.
Forum, bulletin board, and chat
Blogs, chat, website forums, and other forms of communication that make capable visitors post and connect with other visitors are valuable resources that can include a wealth of knowledge. When on the basis of these pages, keep in mind that the posts are frequently created by other visitors, not the organization or person behind the site.
Try to keep the following suggestions in mind when you are reading a forum post.
- Complexity of post: A paragraph-length post boosts its authenticity as it represents that more effort was spent for writing it.
- Other posts: As compared to other users, if the forum contains multiple posts, there are more chances to find the best help, and you are visiting a well-established forum.
- Moderated forum: It is not necessary that every forum is moderated. There are high chances to no one is monitoring the forum if you notice a lot of spam or rubbish posts.
- Post counts: A person with a large number of posts (e.g., 100+) contains likely contributed to the forum for a long period and is, therefore, more reliable.
Extent of information
As compared to a page with one paragraph of text, a page containing a lot of information about a topic or question is more likely to be more comprehensive. Generally, when an author spends more time on a subject, it means that he or she has a greater understanding of the issue due to spending more time.
HTTPS website
Setting up an HTTPS website has become a lot easier. However, creating a non-HTTPS website is still much easier. The website indicates that it is more trustworthy if it is secure (HTTPS in front of the URL). Though, keep in mind that a bad website could still use HTTPS.
Many URLs begin with “https” rather than “http” to indicate that they are encrypted, which is why you may have come across HTTPS. This protection is provided by an SSL certificate, which encrypts sensitive information supplied to the site as it travels from the site to the server. Without an SSL certificate, attackers may quickly access that information, which can be extremely dangerous to you.
It is also important to realize that HTTP isn’t the only way for a website’s visitors to be protected, but it is a sign that the website’s owner is worried about your safety. Whether you’re making a purchase, signing in to any account, or simply entering your email address, make sure the URL starts with “https.”
Check the site, check your gut
Before you cite, share, or purchase anything from the website, conduct a second round of screening when you start browsing the site. From the moment you land on the homepage, you get a sense of trustworthiness. This could be a red warning if the design is uneven and clumsy.
Check for a website privacy policy
A website’s privacy policy should clearly indicate how the site gathers, uses, and secures your personal information. Almost every website will have one since data privacy requirements in countries like Canada and Australia require one, and even stricter regulations have been established in the EU. A privacy policy shows that the website owner cares about following the law and making their site safe. Check for and read a privacy statement before providing your information to a website.
Analyse if the site has a modern theme
You might be asking how this relates to website security. Code is used to create the themes, as well as almost everything else that makes up a website. With the time, some of the code-based settings are out dated, which makes the page susceptible.
Due to specific plugins and themes, more than one million WordPress sites may be susceptible, according to an article published by G1 in 2020. That is not to say that the platform is inferior as compared to others; rather, a website owner must use caution at the time they are selecting themes and plugins, as with any system.
You must consider more than just the web design; you must also consider the theme’s security. Using stolen themes is, on the surface, a horrible idea. Using them, despite the fact that they are similar to the originals, is tantamount to leaving an open door for intruders, not to mention a criminal attitude toward the developers’ intellectual property rights.
Too good to be true rule
Always keep the excellent rule in the back of your mind at the time you are reading anything on the Internet. “It’s probably too good to be true if it sounds too good to be true.”