Recent research from the cybersecurity company NordVPN has revealed a significant rise in online threats, with over 669 million malware attacks recorded in the UK in 2024 alone. This alarming number highlights the increasing risk of falling victim to fake websites, harmful ads, and malicious software, especially when browsing popular websites or using free video streaming platforms.
Fake Websites Imitating Well-Known Brands
Cybercriminals often create websites that look almost identical to popular tech companies like Google, Facebook, and Microsoft. Their main goal is to trick people into providing their login details, which can then be misused for criminal activities.
NordVPN’s research shows that in 2024, over 85,000 fake web links were created to imitate Google’s official platforms. Similarly, around 6,000 fake links were designed to look like Facebook, and nearly 5,000 were made to mimic Microsoft. Other major companies such as AT&T, Yahoo!, and Netflix were also targeted, with around 4,000 fake URLs created for each.
A common tactic used by scammers is slightly altering the spelling of well-known brand names, hoping that people won’t notice the difference. For example, they may change “Google” to “G00gle” or “Amazon” to “Arnazon.” This simple trick often convinces users to enter their login details, unknowingly handing their information over to cybercriminals.
This article has been indexed from CySecurity News – Latest Information Security and Hacking Incidents