Sometimes we make the mistake of typing the wrong URL address and unknowingly entering into an unwanted or wrong website. There are high chances of these websites being compromised. A compromised website is a fake website that is full of malware and mimics a real website to obtain personal information like usernames and passwords from customers.
While other wrong URLs might land you on websites full of NSFW content, ads, or those who trick you into handing over your hard-earned money. Hackers today can obtain legitimate-looking URLs with ease to trick people into believing that it is a real website.
Falling prey to such fake websites compromises your and your business’s security. Hackers can even steal your data. What to do in such a situation? Several website hosting providers recommend customers buy Codeguard backup to ensure their website’s safety to avoid such situations.
However, as it is said, prevention is better than cure. To prevent falling into this trap, you must have an online website backup and ensure that you go through the following easy-to-spot signs of a compromised website before putting your company’s privacy and data at risk.
1. The website redirects you to another website
When you enter into a wrong URL, many times, instead of loading the web page, it redirects you to another website with an almost similar but different URL. There are high chances of this website being compromised. Therefore, you must double-check the website’s address with the punctuations, numbers, spelling, domain name etc., to ensure it is legitimate.
2. Unwanted downloads
If a website constantly and aggressively prompts and asks you to download applications or files or claims that your device is virus-infected, it is a huge sign of a compromised website. Therefore, you must not install such software, or your device will be infected with malware.
3. No HTTPS/ SSL certificates
Encryption is a common security practice incorporated by huge and legitimate companies. A legitimate website’s URL always starts with HTTPS instead of HTTP; otherwise, you know there are chances of it being a compromised website.
4. Unusual behaviour on legitimate websites
Sometimes even after entering the right URL, you can enter into a website that loads irrelevant content or products. This signifies that the legitimate website has been compromised without even the website owner realizing or noticing it.
This hacking technique is known as a watering hole attack, where a popular and frequently visited website is compromised to infect users and customers with malware.
5. Warning from different security tools
Before you navigate to an unknown or suspicious website, it is important to check it into a security tool to ensure its safety. These tools check whether the website is on blacklists of popular malicious websites that security organizations maintain. If these tools provide you with flash warnings, they can save you from entering into a compromised website, saving your and your businesses data and privacy.
Summing Up
It is always safer to be careful than compromising your website’s data. Apart from considering these signs, it is also wise to keep a website backup in case of unfortunate circumstances. You can also use a website backup tool such as Codeguard to back up your hard work.
Buy Codeguard backup today to back up a website and ensure its safety.