Spotting Fake Domain Names: Red Flags and Domain Name Tools to Use

More than ever, domain impersonation is on the rise. A new report reveals that major brands see a monthly average of 73-80 lookalike domains. Luckily, domain name tools help you detect fake domain names effortlessly.

For instance, this tool alerts you immediately when someone registers a slight variation of your domain name. Still, understanding how to spot fake domain names is crucial for online safety. 

Let’s explore the red flags to watch for and the right tools to identify fraudulent domains easily. 

What Are Fake Domain Names? 

Fake domain names, also called “lookalike domains” or “spoofed domains”, are malicious web addresses that mimic legitimate ones. Cybercriminals deliberately create fake domains to fool people into thinking they are interacting with a genuine entity. 

Creating fake domains primarily involves swapping the original domain name with a similar-looking one. For example: 

• Facebook.com → Faceb00k.com
• LinkedIn.com → linkedIn.com 
• Netflix.com → Netfilx.com
• PayPal.com → PayPa1.com

Notice how fake domain names closely resemble the original ones? This technique is called spoofing and exploits the human brain’s tendency to overlook misspellings.

How Do Fake Domain Names Work?

Fake domain names use web addresses that look nearly identical to real ones. The intent is to trick users into visiting malicious websites. Scammers employ various techniques to impersonate legitimate websites. 

These include: 

1. Typosquatting: Attackers register domains with minor misspellings. For example, "G00gle.com" instead of "Google.com". 
2. Homograph attacks: They replace characters with similar-looking ones from different writing systems. Example: РаyРаl.com (using Cyrillic "Р" instead of Latin "P"). 
3. Subdomain spoofing: Fake domains use subdomains to look safe (e.g., paypal.com.secure-login.tld).
4. Cloned websites: Attackers copy the real site's design, logos, and content assets to trick users.
5. Email spoofing: Forging sender addresses on emails or digital communication to make it appear believable.

The Consequences of Falling for Fake Domain Names

Criminals use fake domain names to mislead victims into thinking they are legitimate and trustworthy. Their main intentions are to: 

• Conduct phishing attacks: Trick users into entering sensitive information like login credentials or credit card details on fake login pages. Then, they use this information to illegally access your data and bank accounts.
• Distribute malware: Spread malicious software by making users download harmful files disguised as genuine apps or links. The malware gives attackers additional power to penetrate your systems and find more information.
• Impersonate legitimate brands: Exploit the trust people have in reputable entities to solicit sensitive information. Masquerading as legitimate entities increases the success rate of these scams.

The Growing Threat of Fake Domain Names

Fake domain names are a growing risk for businesses and customers alike. Fortra’s Q2 2024 report shows that criminals registered an average of 73 lookalike domains per month per brand. In May, this jumped to over 80. 

Source 

More recent reports show that over 932,923 unique fake sites were flagged in Q3 of 2024. An increase from 877,536 in the previous quarter. In the last half of 2024 alone, phishing attacks increased by 50,000 year-on-year to almost 1.9 million.

Source 

Spoofed domains are a disaster for domain owners. They can lead to data breaches, financial losses, and reputational damage.

For instance, NewsGuard has identified at least 1,150 ersatz sites imitating major news brands like ESPN, Fox, and BBC. They confuse readers, divert ad revenue, and damage trust.

Consumers, on the other hand, risk losing personal details to scammers. These are used to commit identity theft, perpetrate financial fraud, and compromise devices. Worse, scammers can resell stolen data on the dark web, increasing the risk of ransomware attacks. 

And, with the ease of fake domain registration, it only gets worse. Cybercriminals register millions of fake domains every year because it’s cheap and accessible. They only need to buy the desired domain names from fraudulent vendors on the dark web. Then, copy the websites linked to these domains, fake their documentation, and they’re ready to go! 

Red Flags to Spot Fake Domain Names

Spotting a fake website may not be that simple. Scammers are getting smarter day by day. Plus, any domain name can have nearly endless variations. However, there are telltale signs to look for and determine if a website is safe. 

Keep these things in mind when dealing with fake websites: 

• Suspicious domain structure: Look for typos or extra extensions. A real domain name is short, catchy, and memorable. Any overly long domain name is a red flag. Likewise, be cautious about websites that use suspicious TLDs (top-level domains) like ”.tk”, “.cc”, and “.xyz”. While some legitimate brands use “.net”, “.org”, or geoTLDs, not all are safe. 
• Poor website structure: Examine website design and content with a keen eye for bad layout or inconsistent branding. Often, scammers create a persuasive homepage but neglect other pages like “About” or “Contact”. If essential pages are missing or the navigation feels off, tread carefully. Also, check for distorted logos, low-quality images, and grammar errors. 
• Lack of HTTPS encryption: HTTPS encryption keeps your data private and your connection secure. Legitimate websites have “https” at the beginning of the URL and a padlock icon in the address bar. This shows that they have a valid SSL certificate.

Top 5 Best Domain Name Tools to Identify Fake Domain Names  

Bishopi 

Bishopi is the top domain name tool available. It actively tracks daily domain name registrations and changes as they happen. 

This way, you can easily spot the domains created with your trademarks and take appropriate action to protect your brand.

Bishopi’s Brand Monitor gives you all the data on any domain. This includes valuable insights into:

• Domain reputation scoring: The tool assigns a risk score to each domain based on its history, activity, and associations. A high-risk score signals potential phishing activity.
• Suspicious TLDs and subdomains: It flags domains that use suspicious TLDs and subdomains, helping you take action against trademark violations.
• Domain registration and historical Data: It monitors domain ownership changes, registration patterns, and DNS modifications. This makes detecting malicious intents easy. 

How Bishopi Works

Bishopi’s Brand Monitor analyzes a domain’s reputation, tracks changes, and identifies red flags in a few simple steps:

• #1. Enter the domain name into the tool’s search bar. It automatically analyzes millions of data points from registration to past associations. 
• #2. Review the domain’s reputation score and risk level. Check what risk score the domain has to see how reputable it is.
• #3: Check for red flags like recent registration, suspicious TLDs, and ties to known malicious domains. 
• #4. Use Bishopi’s historical data to track domain changes, ownership transfers, and historical activity. 

Why Use Bishopi?

• Real-time analysis for instant brand protection.
• User-friendly interface for both individuals and businesses.
• Integration with other security tools for enhanced protection.

PhishEye

PhishEye lets you search the DomainTools database for domains that imitate legitimate brands, products, or organizations. It analyzes domain registration data, WHOIS records, and SSL certificates to identify spoofed domains. The tool gives you the option to set up alerts and get notified whenever a suspicious domain is registered. So you can take prompt action before scammers exploit your properties. 

Google Safe Browsing 

Safe Browsing is Google’s service that protects users from malicious websites and files. It analyzes billions of URLs daily to discover unsafe websites. Turning Safe Browsing on allows Chrome to warn you before you visit dangerous sites or download harmful apps. According to Google, people who use Safe Browsing are 35% less likely to experience phishing attacks than others.

VirusTotal

VirusTotal scans URLs, domains, and files for malware and other breaches. It aggregates results from multiple antivirus engines to detect harmful content.

With multiple AV scanners, the chances of any malware getting missed are slim. Users consistently report high accuracy in detecting viruses and malware, making VirusTotal a great service.

Browser Extensions

Browser extensions like Web of Trust (WOT), Privacy Badger, and DuckDuckGo help with domain checking on a site you visit. They alert you if a website is unsafe, flag phishing attempts, and block malicious content.

You can see detailed security reports like a website’s reputation score, trackers, and potential risks in real time. This ensures that you stay informed and safe when browsing unfamiliar websites.

Best Practices for Avoiding Fake Domains

To safeguard yourself against fake domain names, do the following:

• Verify URLs carefully: Always double-check a website’s URL before entering sensitive information. 
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): Use 2FA on critical accounts like email, banking, and social media to prevent unauthorized access.
• Bookmark trusted websites: Save frequently visited websites in your browser bookmarks to avoid accidentally landing on a fake site.
• Keep your security software updated: Use reputable antivirus and anti-phishing software to protect against malicious sites and downloads.

Stay Ahead of Cybercriminals With the Right Tools

It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer number of lookalike domains lurking online. To protect your business fully, you need efficient domain name tools.

With advanced AI-powered analysis, tools like Bishopi help you detect fraudulent domains effectively.

Try out Bishopi

FAQs

How can I protect my own domain from being impersonated?

To protect your domain from being impersonated:

• Register similar domain names (e.g., common misspellings or alternative extensions) to prevent cybersquatting.
• Enable DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions) to prevent DNS spoofing.
• Monitor for impersonation using tools like Google Alerts or domain monitoring services.
• Trademark your brand name to take legal action against fake domains.
• Educate your users about how to identify your official domain and avoid phishing attempts.

What should I do if I come across a fake domain?

Avoid clicking any links or entering personal information. Report the site to Google Safe Browsing or PhishTank. You can also inform the legitimate brand if impersonation is involved. 

If you receive emails from a fake domain, mark them as spam or phishing.

Are fake domains only a problem for big brands?

No, small businesses and individuals are also targeted. Cybercriminals create fake domains to impersonate startups, local businesses, and even personal brands for scams, identity theft, or email spoofing.