Malicious websites are designed to harm you or your device. A malicious website might steal your data or infect your device with malware. For example, this can be through a phishing attack, a drive-by download, or browser hijacking. What’s particularly problematic is that malicious websites aren’t always easy to spot, often because they’re mimicking legitimate sites. This makes it that much easier for people to fall victim, sometimes without realising it.
In this guide, we’ll explain what a malicious website is, the types of malicious websites that can be found online, and how malicious websites harm visitors. We’ll then take a look at what you can do to spot a malicious website and some of the things you can do to protect your device and its data.
What are malicious websites?
Malicious websites are specifically designed to harm users, most often by stealing their data or performing other actions that the user doesn’t authorize. They aim to trick visitors by appearing legitimate, at least at first glance.
These sites may harm you by spreading malware, launching a phishing attack, or running a scam. Of course, interacting with malicious websites carries numerous risks, including identity theft and financial loss.
How do malicious websites work?
Malicious websites use deceptive tactics and exploit software vulnerabilities to harm users or steal information. Here are some common methods:
- Phishing: Malicious websites often mimic legitimate sites to trick users into entering sensitive information such as login credentials or credit card details.
- Malware distribution: Some malicious sites prompt users to download software or updates that are actually malware. In some cases, no action is required from the user, as in drive-by downloads.
- Exploiting vulnerabilities: A malicious website may exploit a vulnerability in a browser, plugin, or operating system, allowing hackers to gain control of a user’s device or access their data.
- Social engineering: Social engineering involves manipulative tactics by providing fake warnings or urgent prompts to convince users to perform actions that ultimately compromise their security.
- Scams and fraud: Another common tactic of malicious websites is promoting fake offers, counterfeit products, and investment scams to steal money or financial information.
- Browser hijacking: A browser hijacker may modify your browser’s settings, change your homepage, redirect your searches, and cause performance issues.
- Cryptojacking: Malicious sites can run hidden scripts that use your device to mine for cryptocurrency, consuming resources and causing performance problems.
What are the risks of visiting malicious websites?
Visiting malicious websites exposes you to several risks, including the following:
- Malware infection: A malicious website may automatically download and install malware, such as ransomware or spyware, on your device. This can damage your system and cause data theft or file lockups.
- Data theft: A malicious site can steal personal information, including passwords, credit card numbers, and other personal information such as your Social Security number, through phishing techniques. This increases the risk of identity theft and financial loss.
- Device compromise: A malicious website can exploit vulnerabilities in a browser or software to allow attackers to gain control of your device. They may then access your files and spy on your activities.
- Financial loss: Scam sites can trick you into paying for fake products, services, and investments.
- Performance issues: Cryptojacking scripts on malicious sites use your device’s resources to mine cryptocurrency. Browser hijackers often slow your browser down significantly.
- Privacy invasions: Malicious websites frequently invade and damage privacy by tricking you into giving out sensitive personal information or allowing hackers to access your device to steal it.
- Legal consequences: If you’re running a business that’s responsible for securing the data of others, you could face legal action if this data is compromised.
How to spot a malicious website
Although it’s not always easy to spot malicious websites, there are some tell-tale signs to look out for:
Check the URL
Check that the domain of the URL—”comparitech.com” on this page, for example, is spelled correctly. Watch out for subdomains that try to trick users, e.g., “comparitech.com.scam.com”. The domain comes just before the first single slash in a URL.
When checking a website’s URL, start by looking for HTTPS. Secure websites use “https://” and display a padlock icon, meaning the connection between your browser and the website server is encrypted. Avoid “http://” sites or those that show a warning about security certificates.
However, don’t judge a site by HTTPS alone. Despite being malicious, more than half of phishing sites use HTTPS.
Look for errors
Some malicious websites are more obvious than others and may contain obvious grammatical or spelling errors. The website may also have a poor design with low-quality images, mismatched fonts, or an inconsistent layout.
Again, don’t judge a site by typos alone. Genuine websites also contain mistakes, and a malicious site might not have any errors.
Be wary of pop-ups and unsolicited downloads
Pop-up ads are annoying, and they’re often a sign that a website may be malicious. Some sites use a very aggressive pop-up strategy to force a user into clicking on a pop-up that downloads harmful software. Likewise, a website initiating an automatic download is likely malicious.
Verify contact information
Trusted websites often (but not always) provide clear contact details such as a physical address, phone number, and professional email. You can check if any details are legitimate by searching them online.
Search for reviews
Before interacting with an unfamiliar website, search for reviews online. See if the site has been reported as dangerous on a tool such as Google Safe Browsing. You may find the site is already listed on phishing or scam databases.
Consider the source
How did you get to this website? If you found it in search results, for example, it’s far less likely to be malicious than a link in an email or text message.
How to protect yourself from malicious websites
We’ve covered a few signs that a site may be malicious, but you could still end up on one even with these precautions. Here are some specific things you can do to better protect yourself:
Use security software
An antivirus is well worth having because it can detect and block malicious websites and remove harmful threats from your device. Of course, you’ll want to keep your antivirus updated to stay on top of the latest threats.
Enable browser security features
Many browsers, such as Chrome and Firefox, have built-in security features that warn you about dangerous websites. They can also block ads and pop-ups, reducing the risk of falling victim to threats such as malware.
Keep software and systems updated
By regularly updating your device’s operating system and apps, you benefit from updates that protect against the latest threats. You can even set the updates to be automatic, so you don’t need to worry about forgetting and potentially being left vulnerable.
Use a VPN
VPNs encrypt your internet traffic, reducing the risk of your data being intercepted when visiting unsecured sites. What’s more, many of the best VPNs have introduced extras, including malicious website blocking, preventing you from accessing known dangerous sites.
Practice safe browsing habits
Practicing safe browsing habits is just as important as using security and privacy tools such as an antivirus and VPN. Don’t click on links in emails or messages from unknown sources or interact with pop-ups.
Use strong and unique passwords
A malicious website stealing your login credentials is much more serious if your password is the same across many online accounts. Using strong and unique passwords across each account reduces the risk.
A password manager helps you store them securely and means you only have to remember one (the master password). Enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) where possible, provides another layer of security to your online accounts.
Back up your data regularly
One risk of malicious sites is that your data may be stolen and held for ransom. By making regular backups of your data, you’ll be able to recover your files without giving in to extortionate demands.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if I visit a malicious website?
If you visit a malicious website, what happens next really depends on what the website is trying to do and the security you have in place on your device. Some malicious websites initiate drive-by downloads where malware is installed on your device. Others trick you into providing personal data so they can steal and misuse it.
However, you can greatly reduce the risk of a malicious website causing you harm by using a reliable browser that will warn you of malicious websites and provide security features such as pop-up blocking. Use an antivirus and VPN so that your device can detect and remove threats as well as encrypt your data in transit.
Can a website infect my device just by visiting it?
Yes, a website can infect your device just by visiting it through a method called a drive-by download attack. This exploits vulnerabilities in your browser, plugins, or operating system to automatically download and install malware. Keeping software updated is key to protecting yourself from this type of attack, as is using a quality antivirus program.
Will a VPN protect me from malicious websites?
A VPN can provide some protection from malicious websites but it won’t be able to protect you from all threats on its own. A VPN encrypts your data which makes it difficult for cybercriminals to intercept it. By hiding your real IP address, it also adds a layer of anonymity. Most VPNs can’t prevent malware downloads or phishing attacks, but some of the best VPNs such as NordVPN and Surfshark now offer built-in threat protection.
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