Google Chrome users warned never to click on these websites – 8 telltale signs of a scam and tips to avoid

Think before you click.

Phishing sites are rampant on search engines like Google, as malicious actors attempt to steal valuable personal data and financial information using fake websites that pose as the real thing.

To thwart these cybercriminals, Google is reportedly working on an AI-powered tool in Chrome that provides a summary of third-party reviews of websites from cybersecurity companies like ScamAdvisor or Trust Pilot, according to a user of X with eagle eyes.

User X clarified that “this feature is still in development and the overview has not yet appeared,” but supposedly “there will be a button that will open a dedicated sidebar with ALL reviews.”

The new feature, called Store Reviews, has been hailed by Forbes as a “great move” to protect people online.

“It should help consumers distinguish fake sites from real ones without having to rely on telltale signs like the site’s markup, URL or consistency of its information,” the paper reported.

Since Store Reviews has yet to be implemented, there are a few ways users can protect themselves and their data in the meantime.

As scam websites are up 89%, the FBI issued a warning this week imploring shoppers to surf the web with caution after Black Friday and Cyber ​​Monday.

According to the government agency, common schemes include non-delivery fraud, where goods are paid for but never delivered; non-payment scams, where sellers ship products and never get paid for them; auction fraud, when the auctioned items are misrepresented; and gift card fraud, where sellers require buyers to pay only with prepaid gift cards.

The government agency urged Internet users not to click on suspicious links, double-check website URLs and verify the legitimacy of online sellers by reading reviews and making sure the site is secure with “https ” before the URL.

Google has also provided helpful advice to users on the company’s blog, encouraging people to research an ad and its owner to determine whether the ad has been verified before clicking and hovering over any questionable links to make sure. which is not a scam.

Further information about websites listed on Google can be found by clicking the three dots directly next to each search result to see who runs the site or who is paying for the ad.

Earlier this year, cybersecurity experts advised against looking for customer service numbers or ways to make a quick buck, and to avoid clicking on “Sponsored” listings on Google, which can sometimes look like websites. legitimate, but are actually fronts for fraudsters.

“SEO poisoning is a tactic used by cybercriminals to manipulate search engine results and then direct users to malicious websites that often look genuine,” the global consultant told the Daily Mail of ESET cybersecurity, Jake Moore.

“When users click on these links, they are taken to sites that expose them to malware that is often downloaded instantly, which can compromise computer security and potentially lead to data theft or device infections.

Telltale signs of a scam website and what to do, according to the FBI:

1. Do not click on suspicious links, especially those that ask for personal information
2. Double-check website URLs and verify the legitimacy of online sellers by reading reviews
3. Check to see if the site has “https” in front of the URL – which means it’s secure
4. Make sure items are properly represented in descriptions and photos
5. Never make a transaction that requires you to use only prepaid gift cards

Google tips to avoid scams:

1. Search for ads and their owners to see if they’ve been verified
2. Hover over suspicious links to preview the URL
3. Click the three dots next to any search result to see who runs the site or who is paying for the ad