We’ve all done it. You’re trying to get to Gmail, YouTube, or Amazon quickly, your fingers slip, and you type gamil.com instead of gmail.com.
A few years ago, you would have landed on a harmless, cluttered page full of random ads. It was annoying, but safe. Unfortunately, the internet has changed, and that simple spelling mistake has become dangerous.
A new security report has found a frightening trend regarding “parked domains”—websites that exist to catch people who make typing errors (also known as “typosquatting”).
The 90% Threat
According to cyber experts, back in 2014, only about 5% of these “typo” websites were dangerous. Today, that number has jumped to over 90%.
If you mistype a popular website address, you are now almost guaranteed to be redirected to malicious content. This could include:
- Tech Support Scams: Pop-ups screaming that your computer is infected and you must call a number immediately.
- Phishing: Fake login pages designed to look like the real site to steal your password.
- Malware: Software that automatically tries to download viruses onto your device.
Why You Are a Target at Home
The scammers running these sites are sneaky. They have set up their systems to detect how you are connecting to the internet.
They specifically target people using mobile phones or regular home internet connections. Why? Because corporate networks usually have stronger security filters that block these sites. By targeting you at home or on your phone, they are looking for the easiest victims.
How to Stay Safe
This sounds scary, but a few simple habits can keep you safe:
- Slow Down: The easiest defense is accuracy. Take an extra second to verify the spelling of a website before you hit Enter.
- Use Bookmarks: For sites you visit every day (like your bank or email), save them as bookmarks rather than typing them out every time.
- Never Trust Panic Pop-ups: If you land on a site that suddenly tells you your computer has 50 viruses, close the browser window immediately. Do not click anything on the page, and never call the numbers listed.
