diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index c36663498..51f36be52 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -20,6 +20,19 @@ The app uses [`kubo-rpc-client`](https://github.com/ipfs/js-kubo-rpc-client) to
 
 The app is built with [`create-react-app`](https://github.com/facebook/create-react-app). Please read the [docs](https://github.com/facebook/create-react-app/blob/main/packages/cra-template/template/README.md#table-of-contents).
 
+## Security Considerations
+
+### Subdomain Gateway Security
+
+When configuring subdomain gateways in the settings, consider the following security best practices:
+
+- **Use HTTPS**: Always prefer HTTPS gateways over HTTP to ensure encrypted communication
+- **Avoid suspicious domains**: Be cautious with free domains (`.tk`, `.ml`, `.ga`, `.cf`) or very short domain names that may be typosquatting attempts
+- **Separate domains**: For production applications, consider using a completely separate domain for your IPFS gateway rather than a subdomain of your main application domain to avoid same-site security issues
+- **Well-known providers**: Prefer established IPFS gateway providers like `dweb.link`, `ipfs.io`, or `gateway.pinata.cloud`
+
+The WebUI includes security validation that will warn you about potentially risky gateway configurations and provide a security score to help you make informed decisions.
+
 ## Maintenance
 
 <a href="https://ipshipyard.com/"><img align="right" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/39ed3504-bb71-47f6-9bf8-cb9a1698f272" /></a>
diff --git a/src/bundles/gateway.js b/src/bundles/gateway.js
index fa8019bf1..95f2581aa 100644
--- a/src/bundles/gateway.js
+++ b/src/bundles/gateway.js
@@ -51,6 +51,109 @@ export const checkValidHttpUrl = (value) => {
   return url.protocol === 'http:' || url.protocol === 'https:'
 }
 
+/**
+ * Security validation for subdomain gateway URLs
+ * @param {string} gatewayUrl - The gateway URL to validate
+ * @returns {{isValid: boolean, warnings: string[], errors: string[], securityScore: number}} - Validation result with security warnings
+ */
+export const validateSubdomainGatewaySecurity = (gatewayUrl) => {
+  const warnings = []
+  const errors = []
+
+  try {
+    const url = new URL(gatewayUrl)
+
+    // Check for HTTPS
+    if (url.protocol !== 'https:') {
+      warnings.push('Gateway should use HTTPS for security')
+    }
+
+    // Check for localhost/private IPs in production
+    const hostname = url.hostname.toLowerCase()
+    const isLocalhost = hostname === 'localhost' ||
+                       hostname === '127.0.0.1' ||
+                       hostname.startsWith('192.168.') ||
+                       hostname.startsWith('10.') ||
+                       hostname.startsWith('172.')
+
+    if (isLocalhost) {
+      warnings.push('Using localhost/private IP gateway may not be accessible to other users')
+    }
+
+    // Check for potentially risky subdomain patterns
+    if (hostname.includes('ipfs.') && !hostname.startsWith('ipfs.')) {
+      warnings.push('Subdomain gateway with "ipfs." in the middle may cause confusion')
+    }
+
+    // Check for suspicious domains
+    const suspiciousPatterns = [
+      /\.tk$/, /\.ml$/, /\.ga$/, /\.cf$/, // Free domains often used for malicious purposes
+      /\.onion$/, // Tor hidden services
+      /localhost\./, /127\.0\.0\.1\./, /0\.0\.0\.0\./ // Localhost subdomains
+    ]
+
+    for (const pattern of suspiciousPatterns) {
+      if (pattern.test(hostname)) {
+        warnings.push('Gateway domain may be unreliable or potentially malicious')
+        break
+      }
+    }
+
+    // Check for very short domains (potential typosquatting)
+    const domainParts = hostname.split('.')
+    if (domainParts.length >= 2) {
+      const tld = domainParts[domainParts.length - 1]
+      const domain = domainParts[domainParts.length - 2]
+      if (domain.length <= 2 && tld.length <= 2) {
+        warnings.push('Very short domain name may be a typo or malicious')
+      }
+    }
+  } catch (error) {
+    errors.push('Invalid URL format')
+  }
+
+  return {
+    isValid: errors.length === 0,
+    warnings,
+    errors,
+    securityScore: calculateSecurityScore(gatewayUrl, warnings, errors)
+  }
+}
+
+/**
+ * Calculate a security score for the gateway URL
+ * @param {string} gatewayUrl - The gateway URL
+ * @param {string[]} warnings - Array of warnings
+ * @param {string[]} errors - Array of errors
+ * @returns {number} - Security score from 0-100
+ */
+const calculateSecurityScore = (gatewayUrl, warnings, errors) => {
+  if (errors.length > 0) return 0
+
+  let score = 100
+
+  // Deduct points for warnings
+  score -= warnings.length * 10
+
+  // Bonus points for HTTPS
+  if (gatewayUrl.startsWith('https://')) {
+    score += 5
+  }
+
+  // Bonus points for well-known domains
+  const wellKnownDomains = [
+    'dweb.link', 'ipfs.io', 'gateway.pinata.cloud',
+    'cloudflare-ipfs.com', 'ipfs.fleek.co'
+  ]
+
+  const hostname = new URL(gatewayUrl).hostname.toLowerCase()
+  if (wellKnownDomains.some(domain => hostname.includes(domain))) {
+    score += 10
+  }
+
+  return Math.max(0, Math.min(100, score))
+}
+
 /**
  * Check if any hashes from IMG_ARRAY can be loaded from the provided gatewayUrl
  * @param {string} gatewayUrl - The gateway URL to check
@@ -150,13 +253,24 @@ async function checkViaImgUrl (imgUrl) {
  * Checks if a given gateway URL is functioning correctly by verifying image loading and redirection.
  *
  * @param {string} gatewayUrl - The URL of the gateway to be checked.
- * @returns {Promise<boolean>} A promise that resolves to true if the gateway is functioning correctly, otherwise false.
+ * @returns {Promise<{isValid: boolean, securityWarnings: string[], errors: string[], securityScore?: number}>} A promise that resolves to an object with validation results including security warnings.
  */
 export async function checkSubdomainGateway (gatewayUrl) {
   if (gatewayUrl === DEFAULT_SUBDOMAIN_GATEWAY || gatewayUrl === TEST_SUBDOMAIN_GATEWAY) {
     // avoid sending probe requests to the default gateway every time Settings page is opened
     // also skip validation for test gateways
-    return true
+    return { isValid: true, securityWarnings: [], errors: [] }
+  }
+
+  // Perform security validation first
+  const securityValidation = validateSubdomainGatewaySecurity(gatewayUrl)
+  if (!securityValidation.isValid) {
+    return {
+      isValid: securityValidation.isValid,
+      securityWarnings: securityValidation.warnings,
+      errors: securityValidation.errors,
+      securityScore: securityValidation.securityScore
+    }
   }
   /** @type {URL} */
   let imgSubdomainUrl
@@ -164,22 +278,47 @@ export async function checkSubdomainGateway (gatewayUrl) {
   let imgRedirectedPathUrl
   try {
     const gwUrl = new URL(gatewayUrl)
-    imgSubdomainUrl = new URL(`${gwUrl.protocol}//${IMG_HASH_1PX}.ipfs.${gwUrl.hostname}/?now=${Date.now()}&filename=1x1.png#x-ipfs-companion-no-redirect`)
+    // Check if the gateway URL already has an IPFS subdomain
+    // If hostname starts with 'ipfs.', we need to handle it differently
+    const hasIpfsSubdomain = gwUrl.hostname.startsWith('ipfs.')
+
+    if (hasIpfsSubdomain) {
+      // For gateways like ipfs.example.com, construct: hash.ipfs.example.com
+      imgSubdomainUrl = new URL(`${gwUrl.protocol}//${IMG_HASH_1PX}.${gwUrl.hostname}/?now=${Date.now()}&filename=1x1.png#x-ipfs-companion-no-redirect`)
+    } else {
+      // For gateways like example.com, construct: hash.ipfs.example.com
+      imgSubdomainUrl = new URL(`${gwUrl.protocol}//${IMG_HASH_1PX}.ipfs.${gwUrl.hostname}/?now=${Date.now()}&filename=1x1.png#x-ipfs-companion-no-redirect`)
+    }
+
     imgRedirectedPathUrl = new URL(`${gwUrl.protocol}//${gwUrl.hostname}/ipfs/${IMG_HASH_1PX}?now=${Date.now()}&filename=1x1.png#x-ipfs-companion-no-redirect`)
   } catch (err) {
     console.error('Invalid URL:', err)
-    return false
+    return {
+      isValid: false,
+      securityWarnings: securityValidation.warnings,
+      errors: ['Invalid URL format: ' + (err instanceof Error ? err.message : String(err))],
+      securityScore: securityValidation.securityScore
+    }
+  }
+  try {
+    await checkViaImgUrl(imgSubdomainUrl)
+    await expectSubdomainRedirect(imgRedirectedPathUrl)
+    console.log(`Gateway at '${gatewayUrl}' is functioning correctly (verified image loading and redirection)`)
+    return {
+      isValid: true,
+      securityWarnings: securityValidation.warnings,
+      errors: [],
+      securityScore: securityValidation.securityScore
+    }
+  } catch (err) {
+    console.error(err)
+    return {
+      isValid: false,
+      securityWarnings: securityValidation.warnings,
+      errors: ['Gateway validation failed: ' + (err instanceof Error ? err.message : String(err))],
+      securityScore: securityValidation.securityScore
+    }
   }
-  return await checkViaImgUrl(imgSubdomainUrl)
-    .then(async () => expectSubdomainRedirect(imgRedirectedPathUrl))
-    .then(() => {
-      console.log(`Gateway at '${gatewayUrl}' is functioning correctly (verified image loading and redirection)`)
-      return true
-    })
-    .catch((err) => {
-      console.error(err)
-      return false
-    })
 }
 
 const bundle = {
diff --git a/src/components/public-subdomain-gateway-form/PublicSubdomainGatewayForm.js b/src/components/public-subdomain-gateway-form/PublicSubdomainGatewayForm.js
index 92620c23c..ed4d17a15 100644
--- a/src/components/public-subdomain-gateway-form/PublicSubdomainGatewayForm.js
+++ b/src/components/public-subdomain-gateway-form/PublicSubdomainGatewayForm.js
@@ -6,18 +6,26 @@ import { checkValidHttpUrl, checkSubdomainGateway, DEFAULT_SUBDOMAIN_GATEWAY } f
 
 const PublicSubdomainGatewayForm = ({ t, doUpdatePublicSubdomainGateway, publicSubdomainGateway }) => {
   const [value, setValue] = useState(publicSubdomainGateway)
-  const initialIsValidGatewayUrl = !checkValidHttpUrl(value)
+  const initialIsValidGatewayUrl = checkValidHttpUrl(value)
   const [isValidGatewayUrl, setIsValidGatewayUrl] = useState(initialIsValidGatewayUrl)
+  const [validationResult, setValidationResult] = useState(null)
 
   // Updates the border of the input to indicate validity
   useEffect(() => {
     const validateUrl = async () => {
       try {
-        const isValid = await checkSubdomainGateway(value)
-        setIsValidGatewayUrl(isValid)
+        const result = await checkSubdomainGateway(value)
+        setIsValidGatewayUrl(result.isValid)
+        setValidationResult(result)
       } catch (error) {
         console.error('Error checking subdomain gateway:', error)
         setIsValidGatewayUrl(false)
+        setValidationResult({
+          isValid: false,
+          securityWarnings: [],
+          errors: ['Validation error: ' + (error instanceof Error ? error.message : String(error))],
+          securityScore: 0
+        })
       }
     }
 
@@ -31,10 +39,18 @@ const PublicSubdomainGatewayForm = ({ t, doUpdatePublicSubdomainGateway, publicS
 
     let isValid = false
     try {
-      isValid = await checkSubdomainGateway(value)
-      setIsValidGatewayUrl(true)
+      const result = await checkSubdomainGateway(value)
+      isValid = result.isValid
+      setIsValidGatewayUrl(isValid)
+      setValidationResult(result)
     } catch (e) {
       setIsValidGatewayUrl(false)
+      setValidationResult({
+        isValid: false,
+        securityWarnings: [],
+        errors: ['Validation error: ' + (e instanceof Error ? e.message : String(e))],
+        securityScore: 0
+      })
       return
     }
 
@@ -44,6 +60,7 @@ const PublicSubdomainGatewayForm = ({ t, doUpdatePublicSubdomainGateway, publicS
   const onReset = async (event) => {
     event.preventDefault()
     setValue(DEFAULT_SUBDOMAIN_GATEWAY)
+    setValidationResult(null)
     doUpdatePublicSubdomainGateway(DEFAULT_SUBDOMAIN_GATEWAY)
   }
 
@@ -65,6 +82,43 @@ const PublicSubdomainGatewayForm = ({ t, doUpdatePublicSubdomainGateway, publicS
         onKeyPress={onKeyPress}
         value={value}
       />
+
+      {/* Security Warnings and Errors */}
+      {validationResult && (
+        <div className='mb3'>
+          {/* Security Score */}
+          {validationResult.securityScore !== undefined && (
+            <div className={`f6 mb2 ${validationResult.securityScore >= 80 ? 'green' : validationResult.securityScore >= 60 ? 'yellow' : 'red'}`}>
+              Security Score: {validationResult.securityScore}/100
+            </div>
+          )}
+
+          {/* Errors */}
+          {validationResult.errors && validationResult.errors.length > 0 && (
+            <div className='f6 red mb2'>
+              <strong>Errors:</strong>
+              <ul className='ma0 pa0 pl3'>
+                {validationResult.errors.map((error, index) => (
+                  <li key={index}>{error}</li>
+                ))}
+              </ul>
+            </div>
+          )}
+
+          {/* Security Warnings */}
+          {validationResult.securityWarnings && validationResult.securityWarnings.length > 0 && (
+            <div className='f6 yellow mb2'>
+              <strong>Security Warnings:</strong>
+              <ul className='ma0 pa0 pl3'>
+                {validationResult.securityWarnings.map((warning, index) => (
+                  <li key={index}>{warning}</li>
+                ))}
+              </ul>
+            </div>
+          )}
+        </div>
+      )}
+
       <div className='tr'>
         <Button
           id='public-subdomain-gateway-reset-button'