Fake websites are now everywhere! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are people out there creating realistic fake websites that look identical to the originals with the intent to scam consumers: that means you and me, both. The fake websites imitate popular retailers such as Amazon and PayPal, toll-collection agencies, employment portals, law firms, and financial institutions. In this cybersecurity notice, we\u2019re going to look at how to identify fake websites when doing any type of commerce online, such as online shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s too easy to set up a fake website. According to the Wall Street Journal: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\u201cAttackers buy an AI-powered tool on a criminal marketplace or dark-web forum. They feed in the URL of a legitimate site, and the AI-powered tools instantly scrape the real page, clone its look and feel, and add fake forms designed to capture personal or financial details. Scammers can tweak the pages, translate them into multiple languages, and deploy them\u2014often in minutes\u2014without writing a single line of code.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Here are ways to protect yourself:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2705 DO be extra vigilant when interacting with website links from a mobile phone. It\u2019s harder to verify information on smaller screens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udd34 DON\u2019T click on unknown links to websites in text messages, emails, and social media DMs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2705 DO get in the practice of holding down on a link that you receive and are interested in viewing. It will show you the web address in the preview, or you can select \u201ccopy\u201d and paste the address in a notes application to verify the address manually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2705 DO navigate to any company\u2019s official website by typing the address directly into the search bar, ESPECIALLY for any financial institution that you do business with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2705 DO install apps only from official stores (i.e. Apple\u2019s App Store, Google Play Store, Amazon App Store, Samsung Galaxy Store)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2705 DO study web addresses carefully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u26a0\ufe0f WATCH for variations of legitimate domain names and any subtle misspellings or substitutions in URLs. Look for \u201cHTTPS\u201d in the URL and a \ud83d\udd12 padlock icon in the search bar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udd34 DON\u2019T always count on spelling mistakes or grammar errors to spot a threat. AI-generated content can produce text that is free of spelling mistakes or grammar errors. (AI may not always choose the best word choices, so look for semantics).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u26a0\ufe0f DO be extra cautious of any language that sounds urgent or demanding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u26a0\ufe0f WATCH OUT for heavily discounted prices or unusual offers, especially with back-to-school shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2705 DO ask your friend messaging you who you suspect may have been hacked to take a selfie and send to you immediately as a way for you to verify his\/her\/their identity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udd34 DON\u2019T move conversations about purchases to WhatsApp, Telegram, or any other platform (especially a platform you don\u2019t use or recognize) at a seller\u2019s request.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udde1\ufe0f REPORT misleading websites to the @betterbusinessbureau_ or FBI\u2019s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at www.ic3.gov.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u26a0\ufe0f PLEASE NOTE: Scammers are also impersonating the IC3. The IC3 will never directly contact you for information or money. Always type in the web addresses directly into the search bar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udd34 DON\u2019T assume it won\u2019t happen to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s not always about making money. You also have to protect money and\/or your credit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
#cybersecurityeducation #cybersecuritytips #fakewebsites #notfinancialadvice #responsibleAI<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Works Cited:<\/p>\n\n\n\n