“This is a guest post from information assurance and security experts ECA Limited. For more information on bolstering the security of your business property, please visit the ECA Limited website.”
Browsing the Web is not as leisurely an activity as it seemingly appears – there are threats to you, your data, and your privacy that require effective information security and risk management. You do not need to become a security expert, you just need to make sure that none of your valuable information is jeopardised. You can do that through:
Street-Smart Surfing
Hollywood tough guys would want you to think that there are book-smarts and there are street-smarts – and they are not entirely wrong. What keeps you safe in your day to day life is your street-smarts, while what you use to function at work or in school is your book-smarts. Surfing the Web is like walking at night – as safe as you feel, hidden dangers may still be present without your knowledges. This is why street-smart surfing is a basic prerequisite to keep yourself away from information threat-harboring websites.
If a website looks and feels spammy, it probably is, and you should bail out. Double check the URLs to see if any tell-tale (and usually deliberate) spelling mistakes point to a phishing site. Get a feel for the content of the website and its claims, and never be trigger-happy with links – especially downloads.
Automatic Protection: Antivirus Add-ons
You can only be so smart out on the mean streets of the world wide web, though. To get the best possible insurance against data theft or virus attacks, you should have measures in place to account for the unexpected. Chances are, you already have an efficient antivirus providing you with protection and a nifty firewall. If your antivirus software has yet to download its browser add-on that protects you while you actively surf the Internet, configure it to do so or carry out some research on how to enable the feature.
Software like AVG, Norton Antivirus or Malwarebytes Anti-Malware go to such lengths as double checking Google search results for you automatically – these can be a fantastic resource, so consider using them to protect your data.
Manual Protection: Checking Reputation
So you’ve made sure to keep your guard up and your antivirus says a website seems secure. You still have some doubts, though, so what now? You can double check the background of a website in multiple ways. Often finding reviews or testimonials from the Web can be enlightening, but otherwise, you can easily research the company behind the website by checking its contact information for a physical address and a contact number. You can also use free online tools to check who owns the website, when it was registered, and other details that can show you anything fishy.
Tools for Checking a Website’s Background
Checking a website’s background manually entails a bit of work, but with the right tools, you can be sure the website is legitimate.
- Google. Always the first stop for most people when it comes to research, Google can find reviews, news, and other information about a website. Using other Google products like Maps and Local, you can also easily search a website’s contact information.
- Domain information databases. WHOIS and hpHosts are among the most popular domain registration information sites that can dig up domain data for you.
- Traffic statistic sites – Alexa, Compete, and sites that calculate for Google PageRank tell you how much authority the website has. Spammy, scammy websites will not have high authority rankings with these companies.
It’s a common misconception that with the modern technology available to consumers these days, information security and risk management measures are put in place automatically. Unfortunately this is not the case – but going the extra mile can save you a lot of problems in the future. Surf smart, use effective antivirus software, and manually check website’s reputation if you are ever in doubt.


