Can you spot three fake websites and compare the three fake websites to three real websites, plus showcase what makes the fake websites fake?

Phony websites are a serious danger, and the majority of them are designed to steal individual information by claiming to be popular services. PayPal phishing sites are the most used scams, and they use deceptive URLs like “paypa1.com” or “paypalsecurity.com” to trick users. These fake sites lack adequate security features like an SSL certificate indicated by “https://” and a padlock icon in contrast to the genuine PayPal site. In addition, fake PayPal sites typically have poor web design, ill-designed logos, and apparent grammatical errors. They typically ask users to enter their login credentials for account verification or security issues with the intention of hijacking financial data. Another type of scam is the utilization of counterfeit sites that resemble airline booking agencies.

They attempt to mimic established travel agencies or licensed airline ticket sellers, featuring unrealistically inexpensive fares to make victims believe it is too good to be false. These types of websites could have URLs appearing very close to legitimate travel websites, e.g., “flightbookings-discount.com” instead of an authentic site name like “expedia.com.” Unlike legitimate travel sites, such fakes are often requiring urgent wire transfers, not secure payments by credit cards. Victims who purchase from such websites either receive fake tickets or hear nothing further from the company. No customer service contact information, poor website design, and significantly lower fares that seem too good to be true are all indicators of a fake airline booking website. Tech support scams are another favorite trick used by copycat sites. Fraudulent pages may appear in search results or as pop-ups presenting themselves as from Microsoft, Apple, or another computer firm.

The pages attempt to present it as an emergency, informing the user that their computer has a virus and they must call a support phone number for help. The real Microsoft website, “microsoft.com,” never uses aggressive pop-ups or requires users to call a number for help. Fake tech support sites usually request remote access to the victim’s computer or payment for nonexistent repairs. Warning signs of a scam include pushy language, imposter alerts about security threats, and payment requests in the form of wire transfers or gift cards. By recognizing the tricks used by fake sites—like misleading URLs, unrealistically good offers, and high-pressure sales pitches—users can defend themselves against web scams.