“Innocent individuals, placing trust in deceptive websites, often become victims of cybercriminals, losing significant amounts of money. With the proliferation of fake websites, the Telangana State Cyber Security Bureau’s strategy to combat cybercrimes is proving effective. The practice of reporting messages containing suspicious web links not only disables these fraudulent sites but also serves as a proactive measure in preventing cybercrimes.
The internet landscape is constantly inundated with numerous fake websites, making it challenging for many users to differentiate between genuine and fraudulent platforms. Cyber experts stress the importance of recognizing the authenticity of a website and offer guidance on identifying the original amidst the deception.
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In today’s digital era, information is sought through websites, and to access any site, users must input the domain name, typically ending with .com, .org, .gov, edu, etc. It’s crucial to note that fake domain names can be deceptive. A genuine website must have a URL preceded by HTTP; the absence of this indicates a fake website. If a website redirects to another immediately upon opening, it is likely fraudulent, and caution is advised, according to cyber experts. Legitimate websites display detailed ‘About Us’ and ‘Contact’ pages, whereas fake websites lack such information. Users are encouraged to verify authenticity by clicking on these sections when visiting a new website.
Additionally, the ‘WEB OF TRUST’ website can aid in identifying fake websites. Adding this site to the Google Chrome browser enables users to spot genuine websites with a green mark and fake ones with a red mark.
The Telangana State Cyber Security Bureau has taken action against 299 fake websites since September 2023, based on complaints received. Complaints mainly arise from individuals reporting suspicious web links in messages received via phones, emails, and social media. The introduction of a dedicated system by TSCSB enables the deactivation of URLs associated with fake websites promptly. Citizens are encouraged to utilize the WhatsApp number 8712672222 to report messages containing suspicious web links, contributing to the proactive prevention of cybercrimes.”