I would like to know how to tell if a website is authentic or a fake before giving out personal details?

Question

I would like to rent an Apartment in another country, How can i tell if a website is legitimate or a fake before i give personal details?

Answer 1

Check the website you are visiting is secure
Before submitting your bank details or other sensitive information there are a couple of checks you can do to help ensure the site uses encryption to protect your personal data:

Check the web address in the address bar. If the website you are visiting is on a secure server it should start with "https://" ("s" for security) rather than the usual "http://".

Also look for a lock icon on the browser's status bar. You can check the level of encryption, expressed in bits, by hovering over the icon with your cursor.

Note that the fact that the website is using encryption doesn't necessarily mean that the website is legitimate. It only tells you that data is being sent in encrypted form.


Be cautious with emails and personal data
Most banks have a security page on their website with information on carrying out safe transactions, as well as the usual advice relating to personal data: never let anyone know your PINS or passwords, do not write them down, and do not use the same password for all your online accounts. Avoid opening or replying to spam emails as this will give the sender confirmation they have reached a live address. Use common sense when reading emails. If something seems implausible or too good to be true, then it probably is.

Answer 2

Legitimate web sites have a few things:
1. The website should be https://. This means that this is a secure website. But some hackers can use spoofers to make un-safe https:// website.
2. There should be a lock sign.
3. There should be a security certificate installed (you can see it in IE). These certificates can be copied easily by hackers too, so watch out.
4. You really trust the vendor of the web page.

Answer 3

Besides the security checks mentioned, research @ the better business bureau. I personally would not give out sensitive personal information over the web. Get a phone number if possible and call them! Good Luck!

Answer 4

Look for a telephone number. Call it and ask a lot of questions. Myself I do not trust the internet about giving any personal information. Too many scams out there.

Answer 5

There is no sure fire method. It is mostly a matter of your trust in them. You can try using Site Advisor and if they have tested the Site it will tell you the results. Part of this is by them signing up with the site then seeing how much spam email the receive. The tell you all this and if they get infected download from them also. They also test the sites that site links to. It is a damn good program and I consider it one of my 1st lines of defense. It is Free and you can get it here.

http://www.siteadvisor.com/

Answer 6

If it describes a Pagan path accurately, then it's authentic. And the only way to know it is accurate is to read lots of websites about Paganism.

Answer 7

Check with the Better Business Bureau and check with foreign relations group to validate the site.

Answer 8

I don't think that's a good idea specially in another country. Install McAfee SiteAdvisor, Netcraft and Spoofstick in your Internet Explorer to warn you about phishing, scam or malicious sites. They are all free.

Answer 9

I would NEVER give out personal details like bank account numbers or social security numbers, no matter what!!

Answer 10

if the site is legitamate like eBay for instance you should
see a lock in the taskbar and/or the Verisign logo
someplace. just be careful,very careful many copycats out there

or you could look up the site itself and view their
privacy link aka promise