The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) has identified the primary characteristics of fraudulent links frequently exploited by cybercriminals. The agency urges citizens to exercise extreme caution when encountering such URLs, as detailed in an interview with TASS by the MVD`s Department for Organizing the Fight Against Illegal Use of Information and Communication Technologies.
According to the MVD, several key indicators can signal a phishing attempt. These include:
- The presence of numbers or the «@» symbol within the link`s address.
- Links containing two or more distinct addresses within a single URL.
- Incorrect formatting of common prefixes, such as «www» appearing without a subsequent dot, or the use of a hyphen instead of a dot.
- Links starting with «http» or «https» but lacking the «://» symbols immediately after the protocol.
- Links that exhibit a «double» appearance, where the URL changes its look when the mouse cursor hovers over it.
- Inconsistencies in characters: if a letter displayed in the text of an email or message differs from the one that appears in the browser`s address bar after clicking the link.
These signs are crucial for users to recognize and avoid falling victim to online scams. The MVD`s warning follows previous advisories where experts cautioned about a prevalent trick where attackers offer to install malicious software disguised as essential updates from mobile operators.
