{"id":21693,"date":"2026-10-16T15:10:25","date_gmt":"2026-10-16T19:10:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.psafe.com\/en\/blog\/?p=21693"},"modified":"2026-10-16T15:10:25","modified_gmt":"2026-10-16T19:10:25","slug":"does-a-padlock-in-your-browser-always-mean-a-website-is-safe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.psafe.com\/en\/blog\/does-a-padlock-in-your-browser-always-mean-a-website-is-safe\/","title":{"rendered":"Does a Padlock in Your Browser Always Mean a Website Is Safe?"},"content":{"rendered":"

You’re shopping online, find a great deal, and notice a small padlock next to the website address. That usually feels reassuring.<\/span><\/p>\n

For years, people have associated this symbol with online security. But there’s something important you should know: <\/span>even a fake website can display a padlock.<\/b><\/p>\n

Scammers can create convincing websites with familiar logos, professional designs, and encrypted connections to trick visitors into sharing passwords, payment details, and personal information.<\/span><\/p>\n

So what does the padlock actually mean, and how can you tell whether a website is trustworthy?<\/span><\/p>\n

What Does the Padlock Symbol Mean?<\/b><\/h2>\n

The padlock traditionally displayed in a browser’s address bar indicates that a website uses HTTPS, a protocol that helps protect communication between your browser and the website’s server.<\/span><\/p>\n

HTTPS uses encryption to make it harder for third parties to intercept or modify information while it travels across the internet.<\/span><\/p>\n

For example, when you enter information into a form, HTTPS helps protect that information during transmission.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, there’s a critical distinction: <\/span>an encrypted connection does not guarantee that the person or company operating the website is legitimate.<\/b><\/p>\n

Google explains this difference in its official guide on<\/span> how to check whether a website’s connection is secure<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Can a Fake Website Have a Padlock?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Yes. And that’s one reason phishing websites can be so convincing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Imagine receiving a text message claiming that your package is being held until you pay a small delivery fee.<\/span><\/p>\n

You open the link and see a familiar shipping company logo, professional-looking graphics, and an HTTPS connection.<\/span><\/p>\n

Everything seems legitimate.<\/span><\/p>\n

But the website may actually belong to scammers who created a fake page to collect your credit card number, address, or other personal information.<\/span><\/p>\n

In that situation, HTTPS protects the connection to the fraudulent website. It does not prevent the website operator from misusing the information you submit.<\/span><\/p>\n

That’s why the padlock should never be your only sign of trust.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why Did Google Chrome Replace the Padlock Icon?<\/b><\/h2>\n

The padlock became so widely misunderstood that Google redesigned how Chrome displays website security information.<\/span><\/p>\n

Modern versions of Chrome use a controls icon instead of the traditional padlock.<\/span><\/p>\n

The goal was to avoid suggesting that a website is trustworthy simply because its connection is encrypted.<\/span><\/p>\n

In its official explanation,<\/span> Google’s Chromium team described why it replaced the padlock icon<\/span><\/a>, emphasizing that HTTPS does not establish the trustworthiness of a website.<\/span><\/p>\n

The change reinforces an important distinction: a connection can be technically secure while the website itself remains dangerous.<\/span><\/p>\n

How Can You Tell if a Website Is Trustworthy?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Instead of relying on one symbol, look at several details before signing in, shopping, or sharing personal information.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Check the Full Website Address<\/b><\/h3>\n

Scammers frequently create domains that resemble those of legitimate businesses.<\/span><\/p>\n

A swapped letter, an extra word, or an unexpected hyphen can make a fraudulent address look convincing.<\/span><\/p>\n

For example, <\/span>store-example.account-alert.com<\/span> does not necessarily belong to a company called Store Example. The controlling domain in this example is <\/span>account-alert.com<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Always compare the actual domain with the company’s official website.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Be Careful With Deals That Seem Too Good to Be True<\/b><\/h3>\n

Huge discounts, countdown timers, and messages claiming an offer will expire in minutes can be used to pressure shoppers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Before entering payment details, visit the retailer’s official app or website independently.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Pay Attention to Where the Link Came From<\/b><\/h3>\n

Unexpected links received through SMS, iMessage, email, or social media should be treated cautiously.<\/span><\/p>\n

Even messages that appear to come from familiar brands may be part of a phishing attempt.<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Question Unexpected Requests for Information<\/b><\/h3>\n

Be suspicious if a website unexpectedly asks for your password, verification code, banking information, or sensitive personal details.<\/span><\/p>\n

A professional design does not make these requests legitimate.<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Use an Additional Layer of Protection<\/b><\/h3>\n

Security tools can help identify suspicious URLs before you open them.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the PSafe blog, we explain<\/span> how to check if a link is safe and how dfndr Security scans suspicious URLs<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

A link checker can help identify potential threats, but it should always be combined with checking the domain and verifying the source of the message.<\/span><\/p>\n

Warning Signs of a Fake Website<\/b><\/h2>\n

Some common red flags include:<\/span><\/p>\n