Question: Can we create three fake and three real websites and ask them to spot the difference?
Short answer, yes.
It is pretty easy to duplicate a website with the right tools. However, it’s not always easy for people who do not have technical knowledge about hosting, programming languages, and request workflow. Below are steps to creating a fake website that is closely similar to a real one.
1. Duplicating Websites
One tool for the job is wget. Wget is a tool that can be used for interacting with Application Programming Interface (API) or downloading files. For example, when downloading a website, type the following:
wget --recursive [URL]I’m not an expert in downloading websites, but in its simplest form, one can download a website’s Graphical User Interface (GUI).
The caveat with downloading the GUI of a website is the functionality of the website. Copying the interface does not copy the functionality. Most websites are dynamic, meaning their content changes every request or depending on the user’s preference. Therefore, one must learn web scraping methods to get additional data along with website duplication. With users requesting data, the website needs to interact with the actual website to show the fundamental data with a bogus Uniform Resource Locator (URL).
- Duplicate a website using wget
- Code the functionality of the website
- Scrape data for user interaction
2. Buying Website Domain Name
The domain name is the name brand of the website. It used to be numbered, but with technology improved, people need to memorize the website name. The website name can only be occupied by one business or person. For example, Walmart can’t use amazon.com, so they have to put their own brand walmart.com. If we want to trick people into clicking on our websites, we need something close to a company name. For example, if we target Walmart, we might buy a domain that people often misspell, like walmsrt, ealmart, etc. We choose a domain closely related to the name, known as typosquatting.
Furthermore, people can buy a domain name and add a subdomain with Walmart, Amazon, or Target. For example, legit.walmart.hosting.com. People see this and say, “Walmart is in the URL, so it must be real.” They’re not wrong, but they are not right either. The interface might be accurate, but a website’s and source code’s functionality might differ.
There is also a need to configure the hosting server. For websites to be accurate, they have to be seen by other people, and that’s where hosting comes in. Therefore, one needs to learn about configuration for servers to scam people efficiently. Without this, the whole plan to duplicate a website is not practical.
- Duplicate a website using wget
- Code the functionality of the website
- Scrape data for user interaction
- Buy a domain name, random or typosquatting
- Configure hosting server
3. Baiting People through Advertisements
The best way to promote a business is through advertisements. Buy a bunch of advertising locations. The more, the merrier. However, make an ad identical to the company; otherwise, people would think it’s fake. For example, a discount on a popular or the most wanted item would grab people’s attention. In doing so, people would be on their way to clicking on your website.
- Duplicate a website using wget
- Code the functionality of the website
- Scrape data for user interaction
- Buy a domain name, random or typosquatting
- Configure hosting server
- Make advertisements close to the actual company
- Buy advertisements location, the more, the merrier.
Conclusion
We learned that it’s easy to duplicate websites using the right tools. Additionally, one needs prior knowledge before pulling off a scam. In short, yes, we can make three fake websites that are similar to real websites without a difference. I think the best way to prevent people from doing such things is by following the steps I explained, but instead of the actual website, they would be prompted with don’t click on unknown ads and a cyber awareness course. It costs much, but I think it would be effective.