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5 red flags for a phishing website


Phishing is not a tactic that only uses email or social media, you can easily land on a phishing website directly.


Here's what you should watch out for.


When it comes to online security, one of the most common attacks is phishing. Many people receive phishing content through emails or social media platforms. However, you can directly respond to a phishing website. So what is a phishing site? How can you identify one?


What is a Phishing Website?


A phishing website is a fake online destination designed to look like a real one. People usually encounter them after receiving fraudulent emails directing them to click on links and get there. But you may end up on a phishing website after entering a wrong URL or clicking on links in social media posts that appear legitimate.

Some hackers purposefully break into real websites to turn them into places that are no longer trustworthy. For example, they can embed malware into the site to steal payment details or infect visitors' computers. Such risks make it necessary to know the telltale signs of a phishing website. Here are some of the best indicators.

You can go through a five-step process when looking for possible phishing websites. This will go a long way in helping you identify and avoid them.


1. Check the website URL

Start by looking at the website address and see if you notice anything odd. You might know that the website you want to visit should end in ".com", but this one ends in ".org".

Some hackers spoof websites so carefully that people don't think to look at the URL. Everything else looks right, so they keep engaging. However, cybercriminals often create sites with slightly misspelled words or extra characters to catch victims off guard.


2. Go to the website in a different way

Many people reach phishing websites after clicking on links in emails or on social media. Clicking on the website via a search engine link can also be dangerous.

One of the easiest ways to verify a website is to go to it without clicking on a direct link. Enter the URL manually and access the site that way. Be careful to spell everything correctly, then see if the website looks as expected.


3. Browse the contents

Once you get to a site, look carefully at the content. Is it high quality and relevant to what the company does? Hackers often launch phishing websites so quickly that they don't care about well-written content. They don't expect people to read it anyway.

Also, it's helpful to look for a "Contact Us" page on the website. A site designed to catch phishing victims will usually not allow contacts. Similarly, scam sites may not have a Privacy Policy (GDPR).


4. Watch out for pop-ups

Virtually all phishing scams try to get people to take quick action. That's why it's common to come across a phishing website and immediately see a pop-up asking you to provide something.

Legitimate websites often have advertising pop-ups trying to sell you stuff.

However, phishing websites are more likely to ask for your account credentials or credit card information.


5. Look for reviews

One of the great things about the internet is that it gives everyone a platform to share good and bad business reviews. Therefore, it is a good idea to look for reviews of a suspected phishing website. Look for them in places other than the site itself, as hackers may have written fake reviews to boost legitimacy.

Once you find reviews, check them carefully for authenticity. Do you notice any recurring words, phrases, or themes? These are signs of humans, or often robots, browsing websites without being actual customers.


What to do if you clicked on a phishing website?


If you believe you've been scammed by a phishing site, it's critical to act quickly to limit the damage. You can flag the site by reporting it to Google. This will alert others that the site is dangerous.

Change all your passwords and contact your bank if you entered payment details on the phishing site. Report to the police if you have provided information that would allow hackers to steal your identity.

And if you think something malicious might be installed on your device, scan with an antivirus program. It's worth doing this even if you don't think anything has been downloaded, as it's better to be safe than sorry later.


Phishing sites are common


It is increasingly likely that you will come across a phishing site while surfing the Internet. However, monitoring for prewarning signs will reduce your chances of becoming a victim of fraud.


Understand the risks of internet use and common cyber threats by taking our Internet Safety for Seniors training.

 

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