Cybercriminals are using homograph attacks – a deceptive tactic where they register domain names using Cyrillic characters that closely resemble Latin ones.
This trick enables them to create fake websites that look nearly identical to legitimate ones.
Example: The domain аррle.com (with Cyrillic “а” and “р”) appears just like apple.com in many fonts – but it’s a trap.
How to Protect Yourself:
Cybersecurity begins with awareness. Share this to keep others safe from lookalike domains.
- Hover before you click: Always check the actual link, especially in emails or messages.
- Use a modern browser: Most updated browsers can detect and warn about suspicious URLs.
- Enable punycode display: This reveals the real encoded domain (e.g., xn--pple-78d.com).
- Bookmark trusted sites: Avoid clicking; go directly via saved links.
- Train your team: Awareness is your strongest defence.