Here’s a comparison of three fake websites i made up and their real counterparts, highlighting what makes the fake sites stand out as fraudulent:
- Fake Site: www.paypall-help.com
- Real Site: www.paypal.com
- Fake Indicators: Misspelled domain (extra ‘l’), use of “help” to mislead users, and often lacks HTTPS encryption.
- Fake Site: www.amazzon-offers.info
- Real Site: www.amazon.com
- Fake Indicators: Extra letters (“amazzon”), a non-standard domain ending (.info), and often displays suspicious pop-ups.
- Fake Site: www.facebook-login.net
- Real Site: www.facebook.com
- Fake Indicators: Unofficial domain with “-login” in the URL and a non-“.com” ending, designed to steal login credentials.
What Makes Fake Websites Fake:
Fake websites often have misspelled domains, unusual domain endings (like .info or .net), and lack SSL encryption (no padlock symbol or HTTPS in the address bar). They may also ask for sensitive information prematurely, such as passwords or financial details.
By understanding these traits, users can avoid falling victim to scams.