As we increasingly engage with the digital world, cyber threats are also increasing in volume and sophistication. One such threat widely prevalent today is phishing. For those unfamiliar, phishing is a form of cyber attack, executed by a person or a group with malicious intent, to steal sensitive information like passwords, credit card details, or personal identification information by masquerading as a trustworthy entity. In this blog post, we will focus on spotting 'fake phishing websites', a crucial component of a successful phishing attack.

Finding and recognizing a 'fake phishing website' involves vigilance, a thoughtful approach, and basic cybersecurity knowledge. It is worth spending our time sharpening these skills, as the cost of falling victim to such attacks can be devastating, ranging from identity theft to significant financial loss.

Ensuring HTTPS

The first thing to check when you land on a website is whether it is encrypted using HTTPS. HTTPS, or Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure, means all communication between your browser and the website is encrypted. Usually, a symbol of a padlock just before the website URL indicates this.

However, be aware that a HTTPS certificate does not necessarily prove the website's legitimacy. Many phishing websites use them too. Hence, it is important to look for other signs as well.

Checking the Domain Name

One of the most common tactics used by phishers is domain spoofing. These attackers often create websites with URLs that closely resemble those of legitimate sites but with minor typographical differences that can be easily overlooked. Always inspect the website’s URL carefully for misspellings or unusual characters.

Look for Grammar and Spelling Errors

Many phishing websites are hastily created and often filled with grammar and spelling mistakes. While professional websites usually have a team of copywriters and editors to ensure the content is grammatically correct, most phishing attackers do not have these resources. If you find the website language to be odd or filled with errors, consider it a potential red flag.

Assess Website Design

Another sign of a 'fake phishing website' can be its design. Legitimate organizations usually invest in professionally made, aesthetically pleasing, and user-friendly website designs. In contrast, phishing websites can appear poorly designed, outdated, or slightly 'off' from the genuine website they're trying to imitate.

Be Wary of Unprompted Requests for Personal Information

A significant tell-tale sign of phishing websites is their request for personal information. Be suspicious if a website instantly prompts you for detailed personal or financial information, especially if it's not relevant to your purpose of visit, or if the request seems excessive or inappropriate.

Utilizing Browser Tools

Most modern browsers come with built-in phishing and malware protection. These tools can automatically compare the websites you visit with known phishing websites or predict phishing sites based on their behaviors. Ensure that these protective measures are active in your browser settings.

Verifying Site Identity with WHOIS

WHOIS is a query and a response protocol widely used for querying databases that store the registered users or assignees of an IP address or domain name. If the site seems suspicious, look up its details on WHOIS. If the site's registration date is recent or if the registrant's details are hidden, it could indicate a 'fake phishing website'.

Use Website Reputation Score services

There are various tools available online for checking a website's reputation score. These platforms analyze different website factors and provide an overall security report. They can be beneficial in understanding whether a particular website can be trusted or not.

In conclusion, the landscape of cybersecurity is under constant threat from phishing attacks. Knowing how to identify 'fake phishing websites' is a vital skill in protecting yourself online. By learning and applying the insights shared in this post - from ensuring HTTPs, reviewing the domain name, assessing website design and language quality, being wary of personal information prompts, to using tools like browsers' inbuilt protection, WHOIS, and website reputation score services, one can effectively safeguard against the perils posed by 'fake phishing websites'. Remember, cyber security is a shared responsibility and the first line of defence is awareness and education.