How to Stay Safe from Malicious Websites — A Practical Guide

How Malicious Websites Actually Work

Malicious websites aren’t always obviously dodgy. The “flashing banner covered in fake download buttons” still exists, but modern threats are far more sophisticated. A malicious site might look like a perfect clone of your bank’s login page, a legitimate software download, or a news article — while silently running exploits in the background.

There are three main categories of web-based threats:

Phishing sites impersonate trusted services to steal your credentials. They’re often delivered via email links and can be pixel-perfect copies of real login pages. The URL is the only giveaway.

Drive-by download sites exploit vulnerabilities in your browser or its plugins to install malware without any user interaction. Just visiting the page is enough.

Social engineering sites trick you into taking action — downloading a “required update”, calling a fake support number, or entering personal information for a fake prize.

How to Spot a Dangerous URL

The URL bar is your most reliable signal. Train yourself to check it before entering any information:

• Look at the actual domain, not just the beginning. paypal.com.evil-site.ru is not PayPal — the real domain is evil-site.ru.
• Watch for lookalike characters: paypaI.com (capital I instead of lowercase L), g00gle.com (zeros instead of O’s), arnazon.com (rn instead of m).
• Suspicious TLDs: While not inherently dangerous, domains on unusual TLDs (.xyz, .top, .click, .buzz) combined with other red flags are worth extra scrutiny.
• Check for HTTPS — but don’t trust it alone. HTTPS means the connection is encrypted, not that the site is legitimate. Phishing sites routinely use HTTPS.

Protecting Your Browser

Keep everything updated

The single most effective defence against drive-by downloads is keeping your browser and OS updated. Most exploit kits target known vulnerabilities that have already been patched. Chrome, Edge, and Firefox all auto-update by default — don’t disable this.

Use a content blocker

A good content blocker (uBlock Origin is the standard recommendation) blocks malicious ads, tracking scripts, and known malware domains. Malvertising — malware delivered through legitimate ad networks — is one of the most common infection vectors, and a content blocker eliminates it.

Enable network protection

If you’re on Windows, enable Microsoft Defender’s Network Protection. It blocks outbound connections to known malicious domains and IP addresses at the system level, covering all browsers and applications.

Safe Download Practices

Malicious downloads are the most common infection vector. Follow these rules:

• Only download software from official sources — the developer’s website, Microsoft Store, or verified package managers. Never from “free download” aggregator sites.
• Check the file extension before opening. A file named invoice.pdf.exe is not a PDF.
• Be suspicious of email attachments, especially .exe, .scr, .bat, .js, and .zip files from unknown senders.
• Verify digital signatures on downloaded executables. Right-click → Properties → Digital Signatures. Unsigned software from unknown developers is higher risk.

Email Links — The Primary Attack Vector

Most malicious website visits start with an email. A message that appears to be from your bank, a delivery company, or a colleague contains a link to a convincing phishing page. Before clicking any link in an email:

• Hover over the link to see the actual URL (visible in the bottom-left of most email clients).
• Check the sender’s actual email address, not just the display name. “PayPal Security” <[email protected]> is not PayPal.
• When in doubt, navigate directly — type the URL yourself or use a bookmark. Never follow a link from an email to a login page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a virus just from visiting a website?

Yes, through drive-by downloads that exploit browser vulnerabilities. Keeping your browser and OS updated is your primary defence, as most attacks target known, already-patched vulnerabilities.

Is HTTPS enough to know a site is safe?

No. HTTPS means the connection is encrypted, not that the site is legitimate. Phishing and malware sites routinely use HTTPS with valid certificates.

What should I do if I accidentally visit a malicious site?

Close the tab immediately. Don’t click anything, download anything, or enter any information. Run a malware scan. If you entered credentials, change those passwords from a different device.