What should I be worried about when visiting websites?

Published: January 28, 2026

Dear 404: What should I be worried about when visiting websites?
A curious character in the shape of a brain

Dear 404,

I love surfing the web, but I hear horror stories about online risks all the time. What should I really be worried about when visiting websites? What could go wrong, and how does it happen? Most importantly, how can I keep myself safe without giving up the convenience of the internet?

— Scared to Surf

Dear Scared to Surf,

Ah yes — the internet: home of cat videos, online shopping at 2 a.m., and just enough danger to keep security folks awake at night. Let’s separate the real risks from the urban legends so you know what actually matters.

What should you really be worried about?

The biggest risks usually come down to a few familiar villains:

  • Phishing & fake websites – Pages that look legit but are designed to trick you into handing over passwords, credit card numbers, or personal info.
  • Malicious downloads – Free PDFs, “urgent updates,” or sketchy browser pop-ups that quietly install malware.
  • Drive-by attacks – Out-of-date browsers or plugins can be exploited just by visiting a compromised site. No clicking required.
  • Oversharing – Some sites aren’t malicious at all — they just collect way more data about you than you’d expect.

What could go wrong (and how)?

Best-case scenario: Annoying ads and creepy targeted marketing.

Worst-case scenario: Stolen accounts, identity theft, compromised devices, or someone using your credentials to cause trouble elsewhere.

Most of this happens because:

  • A site isn’t what it claims to be
  • Software isn’t patched
  • Or someone is in a hurry and clicks first, thinks later (we’ve all been there)

So… how do you stay safe without unplugging the internet?

Good news: You don’t need a tin-foil hat.

  • Always review a link before you click it. Hover over it (or long-press on your phone) to preview where it actually goes. Does it look legit? Watch for sneaky lookalikes — y0utube.com is not your friend.
  • Keep your browser and device updated — boring, but incredibly effective
  • Be suspicious of urgency (“Act now!” is a red flag, not a feature)
  • Check the URL — small spelling mistakes can mean big problems
  • Think before downloading — especially from sites you’ve never heard of

  • Use strong, unique passwords (and a password manager so you don’t have to remember them all)

  • Turn on MFA anywhere you can — because passwords alone are basically duct tape
  • Review your browser’s security and privacy settings. You can often disable access to things like your camera and microphone (and more). Depending on your browser, those permissions may be easier to access — or more “on by default” — than you’d expect.
  • Review and manage your cookie settings. Decide what cookies you’re comfortable allowing on your device. (Note: blocking all cookies will break some sites, so “reasonable and intentional” usually beats “scorched earth.”)
  • Use security tools already available to you (built-in browser protections, antivirus, MFA)

If you’re a more advanced user and want to go full “privacy nerd (compliment),” consider these privacy based browser extensions:

  • Privacy Badger — helps block tracking and ad-based cookies that follow you from site to site.
  • uBlock Origin — can block scripts, ads, and other junk running in your browser. Warning: it can break some sites depending on what you block. Example: block YouTube ads and YouTube may stop cooperating. Many sites also detect uBlock and may ask you to disable it to view their “content” (aka commercials).

The bottom line

The internet isn’t out to get you — but it will take advantage of inattention. A little awareness goes a long way, and you can absolutely enjoy the convenience of the web without living in fear.

Surf smart, not scared.

Sincerely,
4[0‿0]4

More answers from 404