Can you be safe from imposter websites just by double checking the url web address?

Question

For example, if you go onto your bank website, hackers can create a fake/imposter website and when entering your personal information, the fake website redirects it to the hacker. My question is, by looking at the url address on the top of the browser, (where you enter the web address when going on website) does it make you safe?

another example,

on myspace.com

sometimes, the web address will have numbers instead of words

and when the url box has numbers instead of starting with "myspace.com/etc.." that means that it is a fake website

Answer 1

Install SpoofStick. There is a version for both Firefox and IE. It helps detect fake sites. http://www.spoofstick.com/

I won't click on links with random letters and numbers as used at  myspace. I like to know where I will be going. This is really dangerous to do from an email.

On a banking site, or somewhere you are entering personal info, the site url should begin with https://  (the s indicating a secure connection.

Also, look for the padlock icon above and to the right of the clock. You can double click it to open and view the site security certificate info.

Answer 2

The url means this is what the web server configuration file says the site is. It is not a lot of help because a fraudulent site will set its' configuration to do this.