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Share Digital world is full of scams. And malicious actors behind these scams are always looking for new ways to improve their craft for defrauding users. Not just apps and messages, malicious hackers also use fraudulent websites for tricking users into giving up their data. This data can then be used for infecting users’ devices with malware, launching phishing attacks and even stealing their identity. All of this information can then be used for financial frauds and launching ransomware attacks.
While all of this does sound scary and it can cause massive damage to the users, there are ways this can be avoided, especially when visiting a new website. So, here is a list of five signs that you can pay attention to for avoiding getting duped by a fraudulent website.
1. HTTP vs HTTPS
One of the easiest ways to spot if a website is fraudulent is by checking if the website uses SSL or Secure Sockets Layer. What this layer does is that it creates an encrypted link between a web server and a web browser making your communication immune to eavesdropping. To spot a fraudulent website just check if it is using ‘https’ instead of ‘http’ and that the web address begins with a small lock. If a site is checking these boxes, it means that it’s safe to use.
2. Typos and design issues
Hackers often use fraudulent websites that look like a legitimate website for duping users. To defraud users, they often use website name and URL that is similar to the original website hoping that at least some of the users will miss out on the details. And a lot of people often do! Devil lies in the details and so to spot if a site is legitimate, just look for typos in the website name and URL. For example, google.com vs goooogle.com.
So, if you get link to a site that you regularly visit and you see something off about the URL, chances are that it’s a fraudulent site.
3. Pop-ups, exclamation marks and flash warnings
Another easy way to check if a website is by looking a lot of pop-ups, flash warnings and messages with exclamation marks. If clicking on one pop-up opens another or if there are too many warnings, chances are that the website contains malware or adware.
4. Promotes prizes, coupons or redirects to a different site
Treat every website that offers too many prizes and coupons with caution. It’s one of the tactics that hackers use to get users to click on their site, which would then lead to installation of malware. Alternatively, it means that the site is fake or that the original site got hacked.
5. Unsafe site warning from your browser
If your browser displays a warning that the site that the website that you are trying to open is unsafe, then it is probably unsafe. Pay heed to the warning and don’t open the website.
Get latest Tech and Auto news from Techlusive on our WhatsApp Channel, Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram and YouTube.Author Name | Shweta Ganjoo
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