Cyber Security

Search engine phishing is a sneaky type of phishing in which cybercriminals manipulate search results to trick you into visiting fake websites.

The main goal? To steal your sensitive information. These malicious sites can appear legit, making it tough to spot the danger.

So, how can you tell if you’re being led to a harmful site? Read on to discover more about search engine phishing and learn how to protect yourself from falling victim.

What is Search Engine Phishing?

Search engine phishing is a tactic where cybercriminals manipulate search engine results to create fake websites that appear legitimate. When users click these links, they’re often led to sites designed to capture sensitive information, such as passwords or credit card details.

This approach relies on users’ trust in search engines, making it challenging to spot the deception. Recognizing these attack strategies can help you avoid falling victim and keep your information secure.

Learn more about various types of phishing attacks to stay informed.

Techniques Used in Search Engine Phishing to Promote Fake Website

Beware of the techniques used by cybercriminals to promote their fake website to lure phishing victims.

SEO Manipulation

Attackers can make their fake sites appear higher in search results by targeting popular keywords. This way, they will get these sites ranked alongside real ones. This harms users who can mistake them for legitimate websites.

URL Spoofing

In URL spoofing, cybercriminals craft web addresses almost identical to the official sites. This subtle disguise makes fake sites seem credible at a quick glance. This tricks users into clicking without suspecting a threat.

Paid Search Advertising

Some attackers with more budget go further by buying ads to place their fake sites at the top of search results. Since these ads look official, they offer a quick, effective way for cybercriminals to reach unsuspecting users.

How Does Search Engine Phishing Work?

So, how does this attack actually work? Let’s get into the steps one by one.

Cybercriminals Create a Fake Website and Promote It

The first step in search engine phishing is when cybercriminals create a fake website that mimics a trusted site, often resembling banks, online stores, or popular service providers.

This initial setup is designed to look legitimate, increasing the chances of tricking users.

Cybercriminals then promote these fake sites using the techniques mentioned above.

Users Search for Legitimate Services

When users search online for services like banking or shopping, they typically rely on search engines to deliver trustworthy results.

Unfortunately, phishing scams take advantage of this, inserting fake sites alongside real ones. Users looking for secure services may unknowingly click on one of these fraudulent links.

Users Land on a Phishing Website and Enter Their Details

Once on the phishing website, users are usually encouraged to enter personal information, thinking they’re interacting with a legitimate service.

The fake site might prompt users to enter their bank account details, usernames, passwords, or even security questions.

Since the site mirrors trusted sources, visitors rarely question the authenticity and directly “hand over” their data to the cybercriminals.

The Attacker Collects Data

With users’ personal details now in their system, the attacker has successfully collected valuable data.

At this point, the hacker can misuse the information to access bank accounts, send phishing emails, or even install malware on a target’s device.

This harvested data is either exploited directly or sold to other criminals on the dark web.

The Signs of Search Engine Phishing Attempts

Learn to spot the signs of search engine phishing attempts before it’s too late.

Offers That Are Too Good to be True

Never blindly believe everything you see on the internet. Even if it’s tempting, it might be too good to be true.

Examples of these fake offers are massive discounts, high-value giveaways, or unrealistic free products.

Unusual URLs

Phishing schemes often involve URLs that look almost correct but contain slight variations, such as extra characters or altered spelling. 

For instance, instead of the real website, www.chase.com, a phishing URL might appear as:

• www.chase-bank-login.com (adding extra words to seem secure and official)
• www.chase-secure.com (inserting misleading security terms)
• www.cha5e.com (replacing the letter “s” with the number “5”)

Poor Website Quality

Fake phishing sites are often hastily created, with low-quality designs, broken links, and subpar images. These sites may also lack essential security features, like HTTPS.

If a site looks off or poorly made, it’s best to leave immediately rather than risk having to enter sensitive information.

Ways to Protect Yourself from Search Engine Phishing Scams

To protect yourself from these phishing attempts, check out these tips!

Double-check the URL Before You Click on a Search Result

A critical way to protect yourself from search engine phishing is to always double-check URLs before clicking.

Cybercriminals often use URLs that look almost identical to legitimate websites but contain slight changes designed to trick people, a technique also known as SEO poisoning.

Get a Password Manager

Password managers automatically recognize trusted websites and will only fill in your saved credentials if the URL is an exact match.

To learn more about the advantages of using a password manager, consider integrating one into your routine to avoid the risks of search engine phishing.

Invest in Reliable Tools

A tool that flags unsafe search results in real-time can help you identify potentially harmful sites before clicking on them.

Examples include Web of Trust (WOT), McAfee WebAdvisor, Norton Safe Web, Bitdefender TrafficLight, and Google Safe Browsing.

Steps to Take If You Fall Victim to Search Engine Phishing

Bad days happen, and sometimes, we fall for search engine phishing tricks. When that happens, don’t panic. Follow these steps:

Change Your Password Right Away

If you realize you’ve fallen for a search engine phishing scam, the first step is to change your password immediately to help prevent further compromise.

Use strong, unique passwords for each account to increase security. If you cannot access your account, consider contacting the service provider for help recovering it. 

Run Antivirus Software and Anti-malware Software 

Cybercriminals may have introduced malware to your device during the attack.

This antivirus or anti-malware software can detect and remove malicious programs that could further compromise security. Running a full scan is recommended, as it checks all files and applications.

Inform about the Incident to Your Contacts

If you’ve been tricked by a phishing scam, notify your contacts to help protect them. Cybercriminals sometimes use compromised accounts to distribute phishing links to others, putting your contacts at risk.

Send a quick message to let them know you may have been hacked and warn them not to click on any suspicious links they may receive from you.

By informing them, you help prevent further damage and stop the scam from spreading to more people.

Monitor Account

Keeping a close watch on your account after a phishing incident is essential. Regularly check for unusual activity, like unfamiliar transactions or notifications.

If you notice anything suspicious, act immediately by reporting it to the relevant service provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Search engine phishing is a growing threat in today’s online world. To protect your personal information, you need to take action. By understanding how these scams work, spotting warning signs, and knowing the right steps to take if you fall victim, you can stay safer.

But is your online presence as secure as it should be? Working with a cybersecurity agency can provide the expertise to guard against these and other cyber threats.

Contact Fluxgate today for trusted help in keeping you and your data safe from phishing scams and more.