Using the Punycode Standard for Deception
Domain Name Systems support international characters using a special conversion format called Punycode. When pasting a fake link, the address bar may look identical to the original, but the actual technical request goes to a third-party scam server prefixed with xn--.
How to Protect Yourself from Fake Web Addresses
- Open critical financial services only through pre-saved browser bookmarks.
- Watch out for the automatic appearance of the
xn--prefix in the address bar when clicking links. - Verify security certificates and primary domain registration dates via Whois databases.
- Use built-in browser and antivirus filters designed to block fake pages.