Every time you click a link, you risk being directed to a malicious website designed to steal your data or infect your device. Scammers exploit common URL tricks to deceive you, including fake domains, typos, and hidden redirects. Here's what you need to know:
- Look-Alike Domains: URLs with minor changes (e.g., "g00gle.com") mimic trusted sites.
- Domain Mismatches: Links claim to lead to one site but redirect elsewhere.
- Typosquatting: Scammers register domains resembling common typing errors (e.g., "gogle.com").
- Homograph Attacks: URLs use characters from other alphabets that look identical to Latin letters.
- Subdomain Spoofing: Fake links use trusted brand names as subdomains (e.g., "paypal.verification.com").
- URL Shortening: Shortened links hide malicious destinations.
- URL Obfuscation: Tricks like hex encoding or the "@" symbol disguise the real destination.
- Overly Long URLs: Scammers use long, confusing URLs to hide their intent.
- Malicious Redirection: Redirects from legitimate-looking links lead to harmful sites.
- Punycode Manipulation: Non-Latin characters create deceptive domains that appear genuine.
Stay Safe:
- Hover over links to check their real destination.
- Use bookmarks or type URLs directly for sensitive sites like banking or apps.
- Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited emails or messages.
- Rely on password managers - they recognize legitimate domains and prevent autofill on fake sites.
Scammers thrive on exploiting trust and small mistakes. By staying vigilant and double-checking URLs, you can avoid falling victim to these tricks.
10 Common URL Scam Techniques and How to Identify Them
1. Look-Alike Domains
Scammers often create domains that closely resemble legitimate websites, banking on the fact that most people don’t scrutinize every character in a URL before clicking. These deceptive domains are crafted to trick users into thinking they’re visiting a trusted site.
One common method is character substitution - replacing letters with numbers or symbols that look similar. For example, "g00gle.com" swaps the letter "o" for zeros, and "ca1tech.com" uses the number "1" in place of the letter "l".
Another tactic is combosquatting, where scammers add extra words to a well-known brand name to make the domain appear legitimate. Examples include "amazon-onlineshop.com" or "wellsfargobanking.com." These URLs sound credible but are entirely fraudulent.
Scammers also manipulate punctuation to confuse users. They might insert hyphens or remove dots, creating URLs like "face-book.com" or "wwwfacebook.com." These subtle changes can easily go unnoticed.
The effectiveness of these schemes is startling. A 2020 study by Google and the University of Illinois found that while only 7% of people were tricked by standard phishing URLs, a staggering 60% fell for misleading look-alike URLs.
Recognizing these tricks is crucial for staying alert to the more advanced methods scammers use to deceive unsuspecting users.
2. Domain Mismatches
A domain mismatch happens when the URL you see isn't where the link actually takes you. For instance, an email might display "www.bankofamerica.com", but clicking it could redirect you to a completely different site designed to steal your information.
Roger Grimes, CISO Advisor at KnowBe4, explains:
Domain mismatches are signs of maliciousness rather than a 'trick.' In this case, the phisher sends an email purportedly coming from a well-known brand, but that contains multiple domain names, none of which are related to the claimed brand's real domain.
These mismatches are a major red flag for phishing attempts.
The silver lining? You can often catch these mismatches before clicking. On a desktop, hover over any link to preview the actual destination URL in the bottom-left corner of your browser. On mobile, you can long press (tap and hold) on a link to reveal where it leads. For banking and financial websites, it's safer to use bookmarks instead of clicking links in emails - this ensures you're always reaching the correct domain.
Be cautious of tricks like the "@" symbol in URLs. For example, a link such as "trusted.com@malicious.com" will actually direct you to "malicious.com", ignoring everything before the "@". If something feels off, play it safe: type the web address directly into your browser instead of clicking the link.
3. Typosquatting
Building on the topic of domain mismatches, scammers often exploit simple typing mistakes through a tactic known as typosquatting.
Typosquatting, also referred to as URL hijacking, happens when scammers register domain names that closely mimic legitimate websites. They rely on common typing errors to lure unsuspecting users. Just one misplaced character can lead you to a malicious site instead of the one you intended to visit. The scale of this issue is alarming, as research highlights its prevalence.
A 2019 study by Palo Alto Networks uncovered around 13,857 typosquatting domains targeting the top 500 most-visited websites globally. These fraudulent domains are designed to steal login details, spread malware, or trick users into divulging sensitive payment information.
Scammers often use predictable patterns to create these deceptive domains. For instance, they might remove a letter (gogle.com instead of google.com), swap adjacent letters (faecbook.com), or replace characters with look-alike numbers (amaz0n.com or ca1tech.com).
One infamous example is Goggle.com, which duped Google users by installing a rogue antivirus program called "SpySheriff" and malware that displayed inappropriate pop-ups on victims' devices. Another case, Amazan.com, redirected users to ad-filled pages while attempting to install unwanted software.
To protect yourself from these schemes, take some simple yet effective precautions. Bookmark the websites you frequently visit, particularly those involving sensitive financial transactions. For instance, if you use a trusted app like Monefy, always access its official site through a saved bookmark rather than typing the URL manually. If you're uncertain about a web address, use a search engine to find the verified site. Many modern browsers, such as Microsoft Edge, now offer built-in typo protection to alert you if you mistype a URL. Always double-check website addresses before entering any personal or financial information to stay one step ahead of these phishing tactics.
4. Homograph Attacks
Homograph attacks take online deception to a whole new level, moving beyond reliance on human error. Instead, scammers use characters from different alphabets that look identical to the human eye but are entirely distinct to computers.
This tactic, often called script spoofing, involves characters from scripts like Cyrillic or Greek that mimic Latin letters. For example, the Latin "a" (U+0061) looks identical to the Cyrillic "а" (U+0430). While they appear the same to users, computers recognize them as completely different. This allows scammers to register domains like аррӏе.com (composed entirely of Cyrillic characters), which appears indistinguishable from "apple.com" to unsuspecting users. Such technical trickery enables scammers to create fake websites that seem legitimate at first glance.
The backbone of these attacks lies in Internationalized Domain Names (IDN), which support non-Latin characters in web addresses. To ensure compatibility with the Domain Name System (DNS), these characters are converted into Punycode, which begins with xn--. Scammers take advantage of this system by registering deceptive domains and even obtaining valid SSL certificates for them. As a result, these fraudulent sites display the trusted padlock symbol, misleading users into thinking the site is secure.
In April 2017, security researcher Xudong Zheng demonstrated the risks of homograph attacks by registering аррӏе.com using Cyrillic characters. At the time, browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Opera displayed the domain as "apple.com" instead of its Punycode version (xn--80ak6aa92e.com). This showed how easily users could be tricked into visiting fake sites that visually mimic legitimate ones. Another example occurred in September 2017, when security researcher Ankit Anubhav uncovered a case where attackers registered adoḅe.com using a modified Latin letter "b" with a dot below (U+1E05). They used this domain to distribute the Betabot Trojan disguised as a Flash Player installer.
To protect yourself from these attacks, take a closer look at URLs. Hover over links to check for Punycode (xn--) or, better yet, manually type the web address into your browser. Password managers are also highly effective since they recognize sites based on their actual domain code rather than their visual appearance, preventing auto-fill on fraudulent sites. For sensitive accounts, like those used for banking or apps such as Monefy, stick to trusted bookmarks or manually enter the URL. Additionally, enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all accounts. This extra layer of security can safeguard your information even if your credentials are compromised through these deceptive methods. Combined with earlier tips for spotting URL tricks, these steps can greatly reduce your risk.
5. Subdomain Spoofing
Subdomain spoofing is another clever trick scammers use to manipulate URLs and deceive users. This method plays on the way we naturally read URLs from left to right, making a fake link appear trustworthy by placing a well-known brand name at the start. For instance, a link like paypal.verification-update.com might seem legitimate at first glance. However, the actual domain here is verification-update.com, not PayPal. The scammer has simply added "paypal" as a subdomain to their malicious website.
The key to identifying the real owner of a site lies in the part of the URL directly to the left of the top-level domain (like .com, .org, or .net). For example, in support.apple.com, the domain belongs to Apple. But in apple.support.com, the registered domain is support.com, which is owned by someone else entirely.
Scammers often use terms like secure-login, account-update, or verify-payment as subdomains to make their phishing attempts more convincing. A URL like secure-login.bankofamerica.suspicious-site.com can easily fool someone who’s in a rush, especially when it’s paired with a professional-looking email. The numbers are staggering: over 96% of companies face domain spoofing attacks, and in 2019, more than 70% of malicious phishing sites had valid SSL certificates, complete with the padlock icon.
"A trusted TLS digital certificate means the website's hostname and DNS path are valid. It does not mean a website is a legitimate website that can be trusted." - Roger Grimes, CISO Advisor, KnowBe4
To stay safe, always verify the root domain by focusing on what’s immediately before the .com or other extension. Hover over links in emails to check the actual destination URL in your browser’s status bar. For sensitive tasks, like accessing your bank account or using a financial app such as Monefy, rely on saved bookmarks instead of email links. If you notice a brand name in the URL but the root domain doesn’t match, it’s a scam. When in doubt, search for the company’s name and go directly to its official website.
6. URL Shortening
URL shortening services like Bitly, TinyURL, and Rebrandly were created to simplify long web addresses, making them easier to share in places like social media posts or text messages. Unfortunately, scammers have found a way to exploit these tools. By converting suspicious links into shorter ones, they can hide the actual destination. When you hover over a shortened link, all you see is the domain of the shortening service - not the potentially harmful website it leads to.
"Many hackers use URL shortening services, which convert their longer malicious URLs into innocuous, shorter URLs." - Roger Grimes, CISO Advisor, KnowBe4
The risks go beyond just hiding the link's true identity. Clicking on a shortened phishing link can immediately give attackers access to details about your device and location - even if you don’t provide any information on the landing page. As Kaspersky explains: "You can include absolutely anything inside a short link - and it's impossible to check what hides there without clicking". This makes shortened URLs a favorite tool in phishing emails pretending to be from banks, government agencies, or IT departments.
To stay safe, always verify shortened links before clicking. Use tools like expandurl.net or unshorten.it to uncover the actual destination. Some services also offer built-in preview options; for instance, adding "preview" before a TinyURL link lets you see where it leads without visiting the site. If you receive a shortened link in an unsolicited email - especially one claiming to be from a financial institution - don’t click it. Instead, manually type the official web address into your browser or use a saved bookmark. This is particularly important when accessing financial tools like Monefy or online banking. Treat any unsolicited message with shortened links as a potential threat, and report it to your IT security team or email provider.
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7. URL Obfuscation
URL obfuscation is a trick used to disguise malicious websites by manipulating how URLs appear. Similar to tactics like typosquatting and subdomain spoofing, this method takes advantage of URL structures to mislead users. It adds another layer of difficulty for anyone trying to distinguish between safe and harmful links.
One common approach is hexadecimal encoding, where characters in a URL are replaced with their hexadecimal equivalents, preceded by a % symbol. For instance, %65x%61mple.com will decode in your browser to example.com. Another tactic involves misusing the @ symbol. A URL like google.com@malicious-site.com might seem to reference a trusted domain, but browsers ignore everything before the @ and direct users to malicious-site.com instead. As Nick Simonian from Mandiant explains:
Common URL parsing logic will fail when encountering this technique, resulting in the loss of visibility into threat campaigns and actor infrastructure.
Attackers also rely on non-standard IP representations, such as using a single large integer or hexadecimal format instead of the usual dotted decimal format. For example, instead of 1.2.3.4, they might use 16909060 or a hexadecimal version. In February 2023, Mandiant uncovered a malicious Microsoft Word document spreading AGENTTESLA malware. The document contained an obfuscated URL like hxxp://[long_random_string]@647601465/56.doc. When decoded, the integer 647601465 revealed the actual IP address: 38.153.157.57, enabling the attack to evade standard security filters.
| Obfuscation Method | Example Format | Real Destination |
|---|---|---|
| Hex Encoding | http://%65x%61mple.com |
example.com |
| @ Symbol Exploitation | google.com@malicious.com |
malicious.com |
| Integer IP | http://1157586937 |
68.255.255.249 |
To stay safe, always hover over links before clicking to see their actual destination in your browser's status bar. Pay close attention to the part of the URL between https:// and the first /, as this reveals the true domain. Be cautious of URLs containing an @ symbol, as it often signals an attempt to mask the real destination. And if you're accessing sensitive accounts, like banking or financial tools such as Monefy, avoid clicking links from unsolicited emails - it's safer to type the official web address directly into your browser or use a saved bookmark.
8. Overly Long URLs
Scammers have another sneaky trick up their sleeves: creating excessively long URLs to mask their true destination. These URLs are often stuffed with hundreds of random characters, making them look overwhelming and confusing. The goal? To discourage you from verifying the link. As Roger Grimes, CISO Advisor at KnowBe4, puts it:
The idea is that there will be so much information that the user might just give up on investigation and click on the link prematurely.
When you hover over these lengthy URLs, the preview window often can't display the entire address. The real destination gets pushed out of view, hidden behind layers of meaningless characters and fake subdomains. Scammers rely on this truncated display to conceal their malicious domain. Even if you're cautious and hover over the link, you might not see where it truly leads.
Another trick scammers use is embedding redirect commands deep within these long URLs. At first glance, it might seem like you're heading to a trusted site, but in reality, you're being steered toward a phishing page. Since legitimate marketing tools also use complex URLs with tracking codes, scammers exploit the fact that you're likely familiar with such complexity.
To protect yourself, always verify the true domain. Focus on the part of the URL between https:// and the first forward slash (/). In cases with multiple subdomains, the actual domain is the part directly to the left of the top-level extension, like .com . Watch out for URLs containing an @ symbol - browsers ignore everything before it and redirect you to whatever follows. For sensitive accounts, such as banking or financial apps like Monefy, it's safer to type the official website address into your browser or use a saved bookmark.
9. Malicious Redirection
Scammers don’t always go through the trouble of building fake websites from the ground up. Instead, they exploit legitimate domains to redirect unsuspecting users to harmful sites - a tactic known as malicious redirection. What makes this approach so sneaky is that the initial URL often appears trustworthy, lulling users into a false sense of security.
"A user investigating an involved URL would see and trust the originating domain, not knowing that it is being used to redirect them without notice."
One way attackers pull this off is through open redirects, where they manipulate a trusted website’s URL parameters to send users to an external, malicious site. Another method involves tampering with legitimate websites - like altering their 404 error pages so they automatically redirect visitors to phishing sites. For example, scammers might reroute users to fake Microsoft Office 365 login pages. They also exploit trusted email service provider (ESP) domains to sneak phishing links past security filters. Similarly, attackers take advantage of Google AMP links (those starting with google.com/amp/s/) to leverage Google’s reputation, even though the link eventually leads to a phishing site.
The numbers are eye-opening: by Q2 2021, 82% of phishing sites were using SSL certificates (HTTPS), capitalizing on the trust users place in the padlock icon. This demonstrates that HTTPS alone isn’t a reliable indicator of a site’s safety.
To stay safe, always double-check the browser’s address bar after a page loads to ensure you’re on the domain you intended to visit and not a redirected one. For sensitive accounts - like banking or financial apps such as Monefy - it’s safer to manually type the official website address into your browser rather than clicking on links in emails or messages. Using a password manager can also help, as these tools typically won’t autofill credentials if you’ve been redirected to a fraudulent site.
Up next, we’ll explore practical ways to spot and avoid falling victim to these redirection schemes.
10. Punycode Manipulation
Punycode manipulation is a clever trick used to mislead users by creating domains that look identical to legitimate ones but lead to entirely different servers. This technique takes advantage of how computers process non-Latin characters, making it easy to disguise the true destination of a URL.
Here’s how it works: Punycode is a system designed to convert Unicode characters (like those from Cyrillic, Greek, or Arabic alphabets) into an ASCII format that computers can handle. The problem arises because many characters from these alphabets look just like Latin letters. For instance, the Cyrillic "а" looks exactly like the Latin "a" to the human eye, but computers treat them as completely different characters. Scammers exploit this by registering domains such as аррӏе.com (using Cyrillic characters), which appears as "apple.com" in your browser but actually resolves to xn--pple-43d.com. This creates a highly deceptive illusion, making it harder for users to spot the fraud.
By 2019, over 70% of phishing websites were using trusted TLS digital certificates to appear credible. Fleming Shi, CTO at Barracuda, emphasizes the importance of vigilance:
It is crucial for companies to ensure their employees are well-trained in spotting phishing attempts.
Modern browsers sometimes flag suspicious Punycode domains with an "xn--" prefix, but attackers often combine this tactic with other tricks, like embedding the URL in Google Translate links, to bypass detection.
To protect yourself from these scams, you can use a few simple strategies. For example, try your browser's "Find" function (CTRL+F or CMD+F) to search for the brand name in the URL. If the domain uses Punycode characters, the search won’t match because the characters are technically different, even if they look identical.
For sensitive accounts, such as banking or financial services like Monefy, always manually type the official website address into your browser instead of clicking on links. Another great safeguard is using a password manager. These tools recognize sites by their actual domain names, not their visual appearance, and won’t autofill your credentials on a spoofed site.
How to Spot and Avoid These Tricks
Protecting yourself from URL scams doesn’t require advanced cybersecurity knowledge. Adopting a few straightforward habits can go a long way in keeping your personal information safe.
Always check a link’s true destination before clicking. On a computer, hover over the link to see where it leads. On mobile, long-press the link to reveal its actual URL. Pay close attention to the domain, reading it from right to left. For example, in microsoft.activate-account.com, the real domain is activate-account.com, not Microsoft.
Stick to bookmarks for financial accounts. Instead of relying on links in emails or text messages, save the official websites for your bank, credit cards, and financial tools like Monefy as browser bookmarks. This ensures you’re always visiting the correct domain and avoids the risk of typos leading you to fraudulent sites. If you get an email claiming to be from your bank, skip the link altogether - open your bookmark or type the official URL directly into your browser.
Use a password manager for an extra layer of protection. Password managers identify websites by their domain and won’t autofill your credentials on phishing sites with incorrect URLs. For instance, if you accidentally visit a fake login page for your bank, the password manager won’t fill in your information, alerting you to the mismatch before you proceed.
For added security, use tools like URLscan.io or VirusTotal to check suspicious links without clicking on them. When managing finances, consider using a secure app like Monefy to centralize your activities. This approach reduces your exposure to risky email or SMS links and helps you steer clear of the malicious redirects that cost consumers hundreds of millions of dollars each year.
Conclusion
Building on the URL tricks we've explored, staying sharp and cautious when verifying web addresses is critical. Scammers employ tactics like typosquatting, homograph attacks, subdomain spoofing, and malicious redirects to deceive and steal information. Recognizing these strategies is your first layer of protection. As Roger Grimes, Data-Driven Defense Evangelist at KnowBe4, explains:
The more you and your co-workers know about malicious URLs, the easier they can avoid them.
You don’t need to be a tech expert to stay safe. Simple habits, like using trusted bookmarks for financial sites or reading domain names from right to left to confirm their legitimacy, can go a long way. Keep in mind that in 2019, over 70% of phishing websites used trusted TLS certificates to appear authentic. This means even the padlock icon in your browser isn’t a foolproof sign of safety.
Your awareness doesn’t just protect you - it safeguards others as well. The more people who understand these URL tricks, the harder it becomes for scammers to succeed. Share this knowledge to help others recognize and avoid these threats.
Take action today. Review your bookmarks, update your security settings, and spread the word. Scammers rely on exploiting trust and predictable habits, but once you’re aware of their methods, spotting and avoiding these scams becomes much easier.
FAQs
How can I spot a fake or look-alike URL?
To identify a fake or look-alike URL, take a close look at the domain name. Scammers often rely on sneaky tactics, such as swapping characters with similar-looking ones (like 'g00gle.com' instead of 'google.com') or tacking on extra words or subdomains (like 'login-secure.google.com' instead of the legitimate 'google.com').
Be on the lookout for small typos, unusual extensions, or anything that feels out of place - especially when clicking on links from emails or messages. Before entering any sensitive information, double-check the URL. If something seems suspicious, play it safe and type the official website address directly into your browser.
How can I check if a shortened URL is safe to click?
To check if a shortened URL is safe, you can take advantage of the preview feature offered by many URL shortening services. For instance, adding terms like "preview" or a "+" at the end of the link often reveals the full destination before you click. You can also rely on online tools, such as URL checkers, to expand and examine the link for any signs of suspicious activity. Always take a moment to verify the destination URL thoroughly to steer clear of potential scams.
What are homograph attacks, and how do they use similar-looking characters in URLs?
Homograph attacks exploit the similarities between characters from different alphabets, like Cyrillic or Greek, and standard Latin letters. Scammers use this trick to create fake domain names, swapping out regular letters with lookalike characters to make URLs appear authentic. For instance, the Latin letter "a" could be replaced with its Cyrillic equivalent, which looks nearly identical but is technically a different character.
These attacks are commonly used in phishing schemes or to host counterfeit websites, so it's important to scrutinize URLs closely before clicking. Pay attention to small character differences, especially in links received through emails or messages, to avoid being misled by these sneaky tactics.