Do website safety checkers really prevent scams?

[Gaetan]

I often see people recommend using online website checker tools to avoid scam sites. But how effective are they really? Can a simple automated tool, often just looking at domain age and SSL, actually spot a sophisticated phishing operation? Or does it create a false sense of security, making people ignore other obvious red flags?

[VampireRipper]

That's a valid point. These checker tools are useful for spotting basic technical red flags like a very new domain or a missing SSL certificate. However, they often fail to catch well crafted scam websites that use stolen designs, legitimate looking certificates, and cloned content. Their analysis is a good first step, but far from foolproof. For a basic technical scan, you could use a service like the one found here https://pr-cy.io/trust/

[Zenoc]

Understand what these tools cannot do. They typically cannot assess the legitimacy of a business, verify the quality of products, or detect if a site is a clever clone of a real brand. Always verify through independent channels.