With the growth of online shopping, finding products at good prices and attractive conditions has become easier than ever. However, this scenario has also opened up space for fake websites, scams, and fraud that can cause financial loss and data theft. Therefore, knowing how to identify whether a website is truly secure is essential for shopping online with peace of mind. Fortunately, there are clear signs that help differentiate trustworthy stores from fraudulent pages.
This article explains the main precautions, tools, and checks you can take to ensure you are shopping in a safe environment.
Check for the padlock and the HTTPS protocol.
The first step in identifying whether a website is secure is to check if it has a padlock icon next to the address in your browser. This padlock indicates that the connection is encrypted—meaning that the data transmitted between you and the website is protected.
Additionally, confirm that the address begins with https://. The "s" stands for security. A website without HTTPS should not be used for shopping, as your information could be intercepted by third parties.
Analyze the website address (URL).
Many internet scams use fake websites that mimic well-known pages. The difference lies in altering a detail of the address: a swapped letter, numbers instead of letters, or strange domains.
For example:
• lojaoficial.com → genuine
• loja0ficial.com (with a zero) → fake
• loja-oficial.net → suspicious
• lojaoficialpromo.xyz → highly suspicious
Always verify that you are on the correct and recognized company domain.
Evaluate the website's design and structure.
Although scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, many fraudulent websites have obvious design flaws. Pay attention to:
• Low quality images
• Texts with Portuguese spelling errors
• Disorganized layout
• Incomplete or confusing information
• Links that don't work
Reputable stores invest in a good presentation, while scammers usually create quick and sloppy websites just to carry out scams.
Look for real contact information.
A secure website needs to offer clear ways to contact them, such as:
• Telephone
• Physical address
• Corporate email
• Customer service chat
• CNPJ
If the website offers no contact information or only vague details, that's a red flag. Checking the company's CNPJ (Brazilian tax ID) on the Federal Revenue Service website can also help confirm that the company actually exists.
Search for reviews from other consumers.
Before finalizing a purchase, it's essential to understand the store's reputation. There are several channels where consumers share their experiences:
• Google Reviews
• Complain Here
• Social media
• Consumer forums
If the company has many complaints about non-delivery, counterfeit products, or lack of support, avoid buying from them. On the other hand, positive and recurring reviews indicate greater reliability.
Be wary of prices that are significantly below market value.
One of the most common scams is offering expensive products at extremely low prices, precisely to attract victims. If the price seems "too good to be true," it probably is.
Compare prices at large, well-known stores to understand the average price of the product. If an unfamiliar store is selling it for half the price for no apparent reason, be immediately suspicious.
Check available payment methods.
Trustworthy websites generally accept a variety of secure payment methods, such as:
• Credit card
• Bank slip
• PIX
• Intermediary platforms (PagSeguro, Mercado Pago, PayPal)
Scammers often only offer PIX (Brazil's instant payment system) or boleto (bank slip) precisely because these payments are more difficult to reverse. If the website doesn't allow secure payment methods, avoid it.
Check out our exchange, return, and privacy policy.
Legitimate stores have clear and detailed policies regarding:
• Exchanges
Returns
• Delivery time
• Guarantee
• Data privacy
Fraudulent websites often disregard these details or provide vague and generic text. The absence of such policies is a clear sign of risk.
Use security verification tools.
There are platforms that help verify if a website is trustworthy. Some of them include:
• Google Safe Browsing
• VirusTotal
• Web of Trust (WOT)
• Scamadviser
These tools analyze reputation, security certificates, scam history, and much more.
Observe the website's behavior while browsing.
Fraudulent websites often exhibit strange behavior, such as:
• Aggressive pop-ups
• Redirects to other websites
• Excessive requests for personal data
• Unexpected slowness
• Pages that do not load correctly
If you notice anything out of the ordinary, it's best to leave the site immediately.
Avoid buying through links received via message.
Scammers often send fake links via WhatsApp, email, SMS, and social media. Even if the message appears to be from someone you know, always confirm with the person before clicking.
Reputable stores rarely send direct payment links without prior request.
Prefer to buy from well-known websites.
While there are trustworthy small shops, prioritizing large, established platforms significantly increases security. Furthermore, large marketplaces have buyer protection systems in place, which reduces risks.
Buying from websites already recognized by the public reduces the chance of falling victim to basic scams.
Conclusion
With the rise in popularity of online shopping, knowing how to identify a website's security is crucial to avoid scams, protect personal information, and prevent financial losses. The good news is that, with attention to detail and a few simple checks, you can shop online much more safely.
Check the HTTPS, analyze the URL, research customer reviews, confirm company information, and be wary of prices that are too low. By taking these precautions, you increase your digital security and ensure a smooth and reliable shopping experience.