There are a few easy steps when dealing with an exchange to be safe:
- Add 2FA authentication to your account and any other available security measures like anti-phishing password, etc.
- Always triple check everything, especially coin info page if available, addresses, amounts, fees...
- Never deposit your entire stack in one transaction.
- Send first small amount and check if everything works (transfer, trading, withdrawal).
- If everything works still continue with smaller amounts (smaller amounts equals smaller headache).
- Withdraw each time before next deposit.
- Never leave your coins on the exchange.
- Always remember this is not a wallet and is not secure.
- Never use exchange addresses for bounty or airdrop payments.
- Check exchange social media pages, especially Twitter and Facebook before trading, deposit, withdraw, etc.(read new complaints and which coins to avoid).
What I always do in checking with the exchange is always double or triple check the website url, you might get phish if you're using the wrong one. Honestly, I always use the exchanges that are on coinmarketcap.com, in that way you can avoid scam exchanges. And always add 2FA authentication to your account if possible because it is very important security measure that everybody uses.