Phishing attacks are getting more sophisticated every day, making them harder to spot. However, a few clear indicators can still help you identify and avoid these sneaky threats.
Let’s explore some key signs to keep in mind so you can better recognize phishing links and stay safe online.
1. Look Out for Redirect Chains
A common tactic attackers use is creating complex redirect chains. These make it hard to see where the link will really take you.
For example, you might get an email asking you to download a file, but instead of providing a direct link, the email includes a URL that sends you through multiple redirects. Ultimately, these redirects lead you to a fake page asking for your login details.
To safely investigate these kinds of links, try using a secure environment, like ANY.RUN’s sandbox. By opening the suspicious link in a sandbox, you can interact with it safely and see all the redirects without risking your device.
In this analysis session, a seemingly harmless link labeled “Access your RFQ here” actually takes you through several redirects before landing on a fake Microsoft page asking for credentials. This is a classic phishing attack.
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2. Check for Missing or Generic Favicons
Favicons, the small icons displayed next to a website’s name in the browser tab, are another good indicator of a legitimate page. Most official sites have a unique favicon that reflects their brand.
Phishing sites, on the other hand, often have no favicon or use a generic placeholder. If you notice an empty or unfamiliar favicon on a page where you’d expect an official icon (like Microsoft’s), it’s likely a phishing attempt.
In our example, the fake Microsoft page doesn’t have the usual Microsoft favicon, making it an instant red flag.
3. Abused CloudFlare or CAPTCHA Checks
Phishers are increasingly using CAPTCHA systems as a clever disguise in their scams, particularly the “I’m not a robot” prompt.
Ordinarily, CAPTCHAs verify users as human to protect sites from automated attacks. However, cybercriminals take advantage of this expectation by placing extra or repetitive CAPTCHA checks on phishing sites. These unnecessary steps can trick users into thinking the site is legitimate and trustworthy.
Another layer of deception involves abusing services like Cloudflare. Attackers may use Cloudflare’s security screens to slow down access and mask the underlying phishing attempt.
In our analysis session, attackers were found exploiting Cloudflare’s verification, too.
4. Examine Suspicious URLs Carefully
Phishing links often stand out by being unusually long, confusing, or filled with random characters.
The rule of thumb for protecting yourself is to inspect the URL closely. Look for “HTTPS” at the start, which signals a secure connection via an SSL certificate. However, it’s important to remember that an SSL certificate alone doesn’t guarantee safety. Attackers have increasingly begun using legitimate-looking HTTPS URLs to distribute malicious content.
Be reful with the links that seem complex or look like a random string of characters. This messy appearance can be a strong indicator of phishing.
For example, in our ANY.RUN sandbox analysis, we see the phishing link that is just a random mix of characters. This is an immediate red flag.
Links like this should always be handled with caution and checked in a secure environment before clicking.
Explore Suspicious Links Safely with ANY.RUN’s Sandbox
Phishing links are potentially dangerous pathways that can lead to stolen personal information, compromised financial accounts, or malware infections.
These deceptive links are crafted to trick even the most vigilant users, making it all the more essential to handle them with caution.
ANY.RUN’s sandbox offers a secure environment where you can safely interact with suspicious links.
It allows you to investigate and understand the potential threat without putting your device or sensitive data at risk.
By analyzing the suspicous link inside ANY.RUN’s sandbox, you can uncover the true intent of phishing links without any exposure to harm.
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