In today’s digital age, scammers are constantly seeking ways to steal your passwords and financial data through fake websites. These deceptive sites often mimic popular online stores, banks, and delivery services. This article will help you recognize the signs of a hacked website and provide tips on how to protect yourself from falling victim to cybercriminals.
- Understanding Phishing Site Hosting: Phishing sites are hosted in various ways. Some scammers create entirely new websites with names resembling the originals, while others take a more insidious route by hacking legitimate websites. Small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are particularly vulnerable to such attacks due to resource limitations, sometimes allowing site hacks to go unnoticed for extended periods.
- First Sign of Suspicion: Mismatched Site Name and Address: When clicking on a link from an email, social media post, or ad, examine the URL of the resulting webpage closely. In the case of a hacked site, a glaring discrepancy will be evident. While the site might claim to be a service you trust, the domain name will typically be entirely different. For instance, a phishing page might have a URL like www.medical-helpers24.dmn/wp-admin/js/js/Netflix/home/login.php, while the legitimate Netflix site resides at netflix.com.
- Note for Mobile Users: On mobile devices, it may be trickier to view the full URL. You can reveal it by clicking on the browser’s address bar.
- Second Sign of Suspicion: Directory Path Elements: Focus on the tail of the URL after the domain name. Hacked subsections of websites are usually buried within service directories like /wp-content/, /wp-admin/, or /wp-includes/. For example, in the URL www.medical-helpers24.dmn/wp-admin/js/js/Netflix/home/login.php, the presence of “/wp-admin/” raises red flags.
- Look for .php Extensions: While .php extensions are common, in conjunction with such directory paths, they indicate a high likelihood of hacking.
- Third Sign of Suspicion: Subject Misalignment: If the site’s name appears unfamiliar or suspicious, visit the homepage by deleting the URL tail and retaining only the domain name. You may find the real owner’s page, which will differ significantly in content and design from the phishing page.
- Language Discrepancies: Sometimes, the legitimate site may even be in a different language than the phishing page.
- Protecting Your Personal Data: Be cautious if certain fields, such as your email address or bank card number, are pre-filled on a phishing site. This suggests that attackers have access to stolen personal data and are seeking additional information, such as passwords and CVV numbers. If you identify your genuine card number on a fake site, replace the card promptly and enhance security measures for your other personal data, such as using stronger passwords and enabling two-factor authentication for your email account.
Image from Kaspersky
In an age where online trust is crucial, it’s vital to recognize deceptive websites and protect yourself from cybercriminals. Stay vigilant by following these tips:
- Always check the links you click on.
- Hover over links on your computer to preview their URLs.
- On mobile devices, tap and hold links to view their URLs.
- Access critical websites (e.g., your bank or email server) through bookmarks or manual typing, not email links.
- Install comprehensive security solutions like Kaspersky Premium on all your devices to ensure their safety.
By staying informed and cautious, you can shield yourself from the dangers of phishing and safeguard your personal data online.
