What Is Typosquatting And How Does It Affect You?

Typosquatting attacks are not only clever—they’re dangerous. By exploiting the simplest human error—a typo—threat actors can gain access to sensitive data, spread malware, and damage the reputations of trusted brands.

The 2024 Data Breach Investigations Report by Ventures found that the human element was involved in 68% of breaches, underscoring how often simple user actions contribute to security incidents. Once a phishing email is opened, users typically click on malicious links within 21 seconds, and submit their information just 28 seconds later—bringing the total response time to under a minute.

This rapid decision-making underlines why typosquatting is so effective. In this blog, we’ll talk about what typosquatting is, how it works, the different types and threats, and most importantly, how organizations can strengthen their typosquatting protection strategy with solutions like Keepnet.

What Is Typosquatting?

Typosquatting, also known as URL hijacking, is a deceptive tactic used in cyberattacks where attackers register domain names that are close misspellings or slight variations of legitimate websites. The core idea is to exploit typographical errors made by users when entering a web address.

These fraudulent domains are designed to closely imitate the look and feel of the legitimate site—right down to logos, layouts, and navigation. As a result, users often fail to realize they've visited a counterfeit site, increasing the likelihood of falling victim to scams or malware.

Understanding the basic typosquatting definition is the first step in defending against this form of digital impersonation.

What Is Typosquatting in Cyber Security?

Typosquatting in cyber security is a type of social engineering attack that targets common user behavior—like quickly typing a web address without double-checking it. Cybercriminals take advantage of these small mistakes to lead users to fake websites.

These fake sites can be used to install malware, steal login credentials, or redirect visitors to harmful ads. The purpose is simple: use human error to reach as many victims as possible. Many phishing campaigns today begin with users landing on a typosquatting site without realizing it.

How Does Typosquatting Work?

Typosquatting is a form of cyber deception where attackers create fake websites using domain names that closely resemble legitimate ones. The aim is to trick users into visiting these malicious sites without realizing they’ve made a small typing error or clicked a misleading link.

Common Techniques:

• Misspelled Domains

Slight spelling mistakes that look similar to the original domain.

Example: goggle.com instead of google.com

• Extra or Missing Characters

Adding or omitting letters to create confusion.

Example: faceboook.com (extra "o") or googe.com (missing "l")

• Different Domain Extensions

Using alternative top-level domains such as .co, .net, or .org in place of .com.

Example: amazon.co instead of amazon.com

• Visually Similar Characters

Replacing characters with others that look almost identical.

Example: rnicrosoft.com instead of microsoft.com (using "rn" to mimic "m")

Watch the YouTube video below and learn how to spot—and stop—typosquatting attacks before they catch you off guard!

What Happens Next?

After setting up these deceptive domains, attackers often clone the real website’s appearance—replicating the logo, layout, and content to make it look legitimate. Once users land on these sites, attackers can:

• Harvest login credentials or other personal information through phishing
• Install malware or malicious software on the user’s device
• Trick users into making payments or downloading harmful files

Typosquatting is effective because it exploits simple human errors and visual similarities, making it a significant cybersecurity threat.

What Are the Threats and Risks of Typosquatting?

Typosquatting is more than just a minor annoyance—it poses serious risks to individuals and organizations alike. These deceptive domains are often used as entry points for cyberattacks that can lead to data breaches, financial loss, or reputational damage. The sections below break down the most common threats and explain how each one can impact users and businesses.

Theft of Personal Data

One of the most common objectives of typosquatting attacks is data theft. Typosquatted sites often mimic legitimate ones to trick users into entering sensitive information such as login credentials, credit card numbers, or personal details. This data is then harvested by attackers for identity theft, account takeovers, or resale on the dark web.

Malware

Some typosquatted domains automatically download malware when visited. This can infect individual devices or entire corporate networks, especially if security defenses like antivirus and endpoint protection are weak or outdated.

Brand Reputation Damage

When users fall victim to fake websites impersonating a brand, they may blame the legitimate company. This loss of trust can result in reputational damage, loss of customers, and a long-term negative impact on brand credibility.

Financial Losses

Typosquatting can lead to significant financial consequences. These include direct losses from fraud, legal expenses, regulatory fines for data protection violations, and the costs of incident response and system recovery.

Types of Typosquatting

Typosquatting attacks can take many forms, each designed to exploit different types of user error or visual deception. Understanding these variations is key to identifying suspicious domains before harm is done. Below are the most common types of typosquatting used in real-world attacks.

Phishing Typosquatting

This is the most harmful and targeted form of typosquatting. Attackers create fake websites that closely imitate login pages for email platforms, banking portals, or online shopping sites. Unsuspecting users may enter their credentials or payment information, which is then captured and used for identity theft or fraud.

Mitigation tip: Organizations can counter this threat by using tools like phishing simulators to run internal awareness campaigns and train employees to spot suspicious domains.

Advertising-Based Typosquatting

Attackers register typo-based domains and use them to display excessive ads, pop-ups, or redirect users to advertising networks. While these sites may not directly steal data, they can damage user trust and be used to distribute malicious content.

Mitigation Tip: Set up domain monitoring tools to track typo variants of your brand. Report ad-abuse or redirect schemes to ad networks and browsers to get such domains blacklisted or blocked.

Reputation Typosquatting

This type involves creating deceptive websites to post false, harmful, or misleading content. It can be used to defame a brand, spread misinformation, or manipulate public perception.

Mitigation Tip: Establish a brand protection and monitoring program that includes early detection of defamatory domains. Have a legal response plan in place for issuing takedown requests or initiating action against defamatory content.

Domain Reselling Typosquatting

Attackers buy typo-variant domains of well-known brands intending to resell them at high prices. This tactic, while sometimes framed as opportunistic business, often creates legal and reputational challenges for the affected brand.

Mitigation Tip: Proactively register common typo variants and alternative top-level domains (TLDs) of your brand. Use domain management services to secure and manage your digital assets across multiple domain extensions.

Typosquatting vs. Cybersquatting: What’s the Difference?

Although both typosquatting and cybersquatting involve the misuse of domain names, they differ significantly in intent, technique, and impact.

• Cybersquatting is the act of registering domains identical or confusingly similar to well-known trademarks with the intent to sell them to the rightful owners or profit from brand recognition.
• Typosquatting targets common spelling mistakes made by users when typing web addresses. These domains are often used for malicious purposes, such as phishing or spreading malware.

The table below highlights how typosquatting and cybersquatting differ in purpose, targets, methods, and potential consequences.

Table 1: Typosquatting vs. Cybersquatting

While cybersquatting typically results in legal disputes over intellectual property, typosquatting poses more immediate security threats to users and organizations.

Common Use Cases of Typosquatting

Typosquatting isn't just about tricking users with misspelled URLs—it’s a targeted tactic used in a range of malicious campaigns. Here are the most common ways attackers exploit typo-based domains:

• Credential Theft: Fake login pages are designed to capture usernames, passwords, and other sensitive information.
• Malware Distribution: Typosquatted sites may trigger automatic downloads or prompt users to install harmful software.
• Ad Fraud: Visitors are redirected to ad-heavy pages or pop-ups, generating revenue for attackers through impression or click-based ad networks.
• Brand Impersonation: Imitating legitimate websites to mislead users, damage reputation, or spread disinformation.

What Are Examples of Typosquatting?

Typosquatting has been actively exploited in targeted attacks, where even minor domain misspellings have led to credential theft, malware infections, and financial loss. The following cases illustrate how attackers use lookalike domains to impersonate trusted brands and compromise unsuspecting users.

1. Goggle.com – Ad Fraud and Potential Malware

In 2006, the domain goggle.com, a common misspelling of google.com, was used to distribute malware, including a rogue antivirus program called "SpySheriff," onto visitors' devices. Unsuspecting users intending to access Google's search engine were instead exposed to security risks through this deceptive site.

2. Bank of America Typosquatting Campaigns

An investigation by Cybersecurity Ventures revealed several deceptive domains resembling bankofamerica.com, such as bancoamerica.us and bancofamerica.net. These domains could easily mislead customers into entering sensitive banking details or contacting fake customer service. Even if not immediately malicious, such domains erode trust and highlight the need for better brand domain protection.

How to Protect Yourself Against Typosquatting Attacks?

Typosquatting attacks rely on small user mistakes and overlooked details, making them easy to fall for and hard to detect. Both individuals and organizations need to take proactive steps to reduce their exposure. Below are key strategies to identify, prevent, and respond to typosquatting threats effectively.

Checking for Correct Domain Names

Always inspect the URL before entering any sensitive information, especially on login or payment pages. Avoid typing web addresses manually—bookmark trusted sites to reduce the risk of errors. Using a password manager adds another layer of protection, as it will only auto-fill credentials on verified, legitimate domains.

Security Software and Solutions

Implement multiple layers of protection, including DNS filtering, firewalls, and endpoint security tools, to block access to malicious or suspicious domains. These solutions can detect and prevent users from visiting typosquatted sites before harm is done. For stronger protection, integrate advanced Threat Intelligence services that actively monitor and flag emerging domain-based threats in real time.

Protection with Keepnet Solutions

Keepnet offers targeted protection against typosquatting through its advanced, human-focused security platform. Our role-based Security Awareness Training equips employees with the specific knowledge they need to identify and avoid typosquatted domains based on their roles and risk profiles.

The adaptive, AI-powered Phishing Simulator replicates realistic attacks—including those using typo domains—and dynamically adjusts scenarios based on user behavior to continuously improve detection and response.

To strengthen overall resilience, Keepnet also provides tools like Incident Responder for automated threat handling and Email Threat Simulator to uncover phishing risks across new attack surfaces.

Explore the Keepnet Extended Human Risk Management Platform to unify these capabilities and proactively reduce human-driven cyber threats.