To spot fake websites, it’s important to look for red flags such as similar but misspelled domain names, poor design quality, and missing contact information. Here are three fake websites and their characteristics, along with three real websites for comparison: 

Fake Websites: 

Blinkee.com – This site sells items that blink. It may have a low-quality design and lack of contact information, which are common signs of a fake website 

Penny Juice – An example of a real website that looks unprofessional, which can be a good teaching tool for students like myself to understand that the appearance of a website does not determine its reliability 

Pacific Northwest Xray Inc – While this is a legitimate website, its unpolished appearance could make it seem fake. This demonstrates that real websites can sometimes look untrustworthy 

Characteristics of Fake Websites: 

Similar but misspelled domain names 

Poor design quality, odd layouts, and missing contact information 

Tricky subdomains that attackers hope users will confuse with the real domain name 

Real Websites: 

Environmental Protection Agency – A legitimate and professional website that can be used as a reference for students to understand the characteristics of a real website 

Netflix.com – An example of a well-known and professionally designed website that contrasts with the characteristics of fake websites 

BBB.org – The official website of the Better Business Bureau, which can be used to demonstrate a trustworthy and well-designed site