So using these two sites, https://www.aura.com/learn/how-to-identify-fake-websites and, I found three good examples of fake websites. In all three examples, the URL’s for the sites do not match the URL’s of the official sites. In the case of the Nike Factory Store example, the URL doesn’t even look similar. In the case of the Apple ID one, the URL does contain Apple in it at least but is still easier to notice the URL is still incorrect. In the case of the PayPal example, the URL contains two “.com”’s, one being fake, intending on tricking the user they are at the actual PayPal.com, when the real .com is further down the URL after a bunch of additional text in the URL. All three are designed to look like the real sites and without paying attention to the URL’s could fool a user who isn’t paying attention at all.

Citations

            Bogdanwing. (2017, July 10). Fake apple website! do not give it your account or credit card details. Fake apple website! DO NOT give it your a… – Apple Community. https://discussions.apple.com/thread/8007157?sortBy=rank

            Exposed: Nike Factory Store Scam Websites Stealing Money. MalwareTips Blog. (2024, February 10). https://malwaretips.com/blogs/nike-factory-store/

            Toohil, R. (2023, November 17). How to identify fake websites: 11 warning signs to know. Aura. https://www.aura.com/learn/how-to-identify-fake-websites