Typo squatting, also referred to as URL hijacking, is a quiet but highly effective form of digital deception. It works because it targets routine. Attackers register domain names that are nearly indistinguishable from legitimate organizations, relying on predictable human error when a web address is typed quickly or from memory. One missed letter. One swapped character. One extra keystroke. That is all it takes.
Once the page loads and the branding looks right, most people never look back at the address bar. That moment of trust is where the trap closes.
TACTICAL METHODS OF INTERCEPTION
These operations are not random. They are engineered with precision and scale, using several repeatable techniques designed to intercept traffic before a user realizes anything is wrong.
Common Misspellings. Domains are registered using frequent keyboard errors such as replacing “n” with “m” or “o” with “i.” The mistake feels invisible because it is familiar.
Top Level Domain Variation. A legitimate site ending in .com is mirrored using extensions like .co, .net, or .org. The brand name looks correct. The destination is not.
Character Omission or Addition. One missing letter or one extra character is enough to create a convincing duplicate that passes a quick visual check.
Bitsquatting. This technique exploits rare hardware memory errors that cause a computer to request the wrong domain without any user input at all. The user did nothing wrong and still ends up on a malicious site.
Homoglyph Attacks and Punycode. Modern DNS allows characters from non Latin scripts that look identical to standard letters. A Cyrillic “а” is visually indistinguishable from a Latin “a.” Browsers translate these characters using a system called Punycode, which begins with “xn--” behind the scenes, then renders the look alike version in the address bar. To the human eye, the deception is nearly impossible to detect.
SEO EXPLOITATION AND AI RESULT MANIPULATION
Typing errors are only one entry point. Many victims never type a web address at all.
Attackers aggressively exploit search engine behavior by creating look alike sites optimized to rank for brand related queries. These pages often use combosquatting, adding words like “login,” “support,” or “account recovery” to a trusted name. The result is a fraudulent link that appears more relevant than the legitimate one.
This same strategy now extends into Artificial Intelligence systems. As users increasingly rely on AI generated summaries and chat based answers, attackers seed squatted domains with false instructions and malicious data. Through indirect prompt injection, AI systems scrape and summarize information from these sites as if it were authoritative. A fake login link or a fraudulent support number can then be presented as a factual recommendation, wrapped in the perceived neutrality and credibility of an AI response.
This automation of misinformation removes the last layer of skepticism. Users trust the answer because it feels curated.
PATHWAYS TO FINANCIAL AND INFORMATION LOSS
Once a victim lands on a fraudulent domain, the environment is fully controlled by the attacker. From there, the extraction begins.
Credential Harvesting. The site presents a login page identical to the real service. Credentials are captured instantly and used to take over the legitimate account.
Malware Distribution. Victims are prompted to install a “security update” or “required plug in.” These files often contain keyloggers or ransomware, turning a single mistake into full device compromise.
The Phone Number Trap. Some fake sites intentionally display error messages that direct users to call a toll free support number. The call reaches a criminal operation posing as technical support. Through pressure and manufactured urgency, victims are convinced to grant remote access or disclose financial information under the guise of verification.
DIRECT ENTRY AS A SECURITY STANDARD
The most effective defence is not a new tool. It is a behavioural shift.
Searching for login pages or relying on AI summaries introduces unnecessary points of failure. Security best practice is direct entry. Manually typing the exact web address into the browser address bar for any sensitive transaction bypasses search engines and AI systems entirely. Bookmarking verified official sites further reduces exposure.
The address bar is not a formality. It is a security boundary. Treating it as such removes the attacker’s opportunity to intercept, manipulate, or redirect.
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