Expert advice on how to spot a phishing link

Phishing attacks are becoming more advanced and harder to detect, but there are still telltale signs that can help you spot them before it’s too late. See these key indicators that security experts use to identify phishing links:

1. Check for suspicious URLs

Phishing URLs are often long, confusing, or filled with random characters. Attackers use them to disguise the real destination of a link and mislead users.

The first step in protecting yourself is to check the URL carefully. Always make sure it starts with “HTTPS” as the “s” stands for a secure connection using an SSL certificate.

However, keep in mind that SSL certificates alone are not enough. Cyber ​​attackers are increasingly using legitimate HTTPS links to distribute malicious content.

That’s why you should be suspicious of links that are too complicated or look like a jumble of characters.

Tools like Safebrowsing by ANY.RUN allow users to scan suspicious links in a secure and isolated environment without having to manually check every character in the URL.

example:

In one recent case, a Google URL redirect was used multiple times to mask the real phishing link and make it difficult to trace the real destination of the URL.

Complex URL with redirects

U this caseafter the initial “Google” in the URL you see 2 other instances of “Google” which is a clear sign of a redirect attempt and misuse of the platform.

Analyze suspicious links with Safebrowsing ANY.RUN

2. Watch out for redirect chains

As you can see from the above example, redirection is one of the main tactics used by cyber attackers. In addition to considering the complexity of the URL, find out where the link is taking you.

This tactic extends the delivery chain and confuses users, making it harder to detect malicious intent.

Another common scenario is when attackers send an email claiming to download a file. But instead of an attachment or direct link, they send a URL that leads through a redirect, eventually asking for credentials to access the file.

To safely investigate this, copy and paste the suspicious link into the ANY.RUN safe browsing tool. After starting an analysis session, you can interact with the link in a secure environment and see exactly where it redirects and how it behaves.

an example:

The redirect chain is displayed in the ANY.RUN virtual machine

U this instancethe attackers shared a seemingly innocuous link to a file storage page. However, instead of leading directly to the desired document, the link redirected users several times, eventually landing them on a fake login page designed to steal their credentials.

3. Check for strange page titles and missing icons

Another way to spot phishing links is to pay attention to page titles and icons. A trusted page should have a name that matches the service you’re interacting with, with no weird characters or gibberish. Suspicious, random characters, or incomplete headers are often signs that something is wrong.

In addition to the page title, real websites have an icon that corresponds to the service. A blank or generic site icon indicates a phishing attempt.

an example:

Suspicious page header along with broken Microsoft favicon analyzed in ANY.RUN

In this Safe browsing sessionyou’ll notice how the page header and favicon don’t match what you’d expect from a legitimate Microsoft Office login page.

You’ll usually see the Microsoft icon along with a clear, relevant page title. However, in this example, the title consists of random numbers and letters, and the Microsoft site icon is broken or missing. This is a serious red flag and likely indicates a phishing attempt.

4. Beware of abuse of CAPTCHA and Cloudflare validations

One common tactic used in phishing links is to abuse CAPTCHA systems, specifically the “I’m not a robot” check.

While CAPTCHAs are designed to validate users and protect against bots, phishing attackers can exploit them by adding unnecessary, repetitive CAPTCHA challenges to malicious websites.

A similar tactic involves misusing services like Cloudflare, where attackers can use Cloudflare’s security checks to slow down users and disguise a phishing attempt.

example:

Cloudflare validation violation observed in ANY.RUN secure browsing session

In this analysis sessionattackers use Cloudflare verification as a decoy layer in their phishing scheme to add legitimacy and hide their malicious intent.

5. Check Microsoft domains before entering passwords

Phishers often create websites that impersonate trusted services, such as Microsoft, to trick users into providing their credentials. Although Microsoft typically asks for passwords on multiple official domains, it’s important to exercise caution.

Here are some of the legitimate Microsoft domains where password requests may occur:

Keep in mind that your organization can also request authentication through its official domain. So, it’s always a good idea to verify the link before sharing credentials.

Use it Safe browsing ANY.RUN the function of checking the legitimacy of the site before entering sensitive information. Make sure to protect yourself by double-checking the domain.

6. Analyze links with familiar interface elements

You can also detect phishing links by carefully examining the interface elements of the programs. Be aware that the UI elements on the browser page with the password input form are the main warning sign.

Attackers often try to gain users’ trust by mimicking familiar software interfaces, such as those from Adobe or Microsoft, and embedding password entry forms into them.

This makes potential victims feel more comfortable and lowers their defenses, eventually falling into a phishing trap. Always double-check links to such items before entering sensitive information.

an example:

Interface elements that mimic Adobe PDF Viewer

In this Safe browsing sessionattackers mimicked Adobe PDF Viewer by embedding a password entry form into it.

Explore suspicious links in ANY.RUN’s secure virtual browser

Phishing links can cause incredible damage to a business, often resulting in sensitive information such as login credentials and financial data being compromised with a single click of the mouse.

Safebrowsing by ANY.RUN offers a secure, isolated virtual browser where you can safely analyze these suspicious links in real-time without risking your system.

Safely investigate suspicious websites, inspect network activity, detect malicious behavior and collect indicators of intrusion (IOC) for further analysis.

For deeper analysis of suspicious links or files, the ANY.RUN sandbox provides even more advanced threat detection capabilities.

Start using ANY.RUN today for free and enjoy unlimited safe browsing or deep analysis sessions!