If the "www" is missing from a URL is it necessarily an attempt at phishing ?

  • Thread starter B0b-A
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In summary, the presence or absence of "www" in a URL does not necessarily indicate an attempt at phishing. Phishing sites often use a similar domain name to the legitimate site, but may misspell it or use a different prefix. URLs are also not case-sensitive, so different capitalization will still take you to the same website. It is important to carefully examine the URL and look for any suspicious variations before entering sensitive information.
  • #1
B0b-A
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If the "www" is missing from a URL is it necessarily an attempt at phishing ? ,

e.g. instead of https://www.physicsforums.com , what is shown is https://www.physicsforums.com

[ that was just an example, my question does not relate to physicsforums URLs ].

Supplementary question : does capitalisation make a difference,

e.g. can https://PhysicsForums.com take you to a place other than https://www.physicsforums.com

[ i.e. are URLs case-sensitive ]
 
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  • #2
B0b-A said:
If the "www" is missing from a URL is it necessarily an attempt at phishing ?
No, the version without www will get you to the same place. Phishing sites will usually hide their address or buy a domain that's close like physicforum.com.
B0b-A said:
e.g. instead of https://www.physicsforums.com , what is shown is https://www.physicsforums.com

[ that was just an example, my question does not relate to physicsforums URLs ].

Supplementary question : does capitalisation make a difference,

e.g. can https://PhysicsForums.com take you to a place other than https://www.physicsforums.com

[ i.e. are URLs case-sensitive ]
URLs are not case-sensitive.
 
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Likes .Scott
  • #3
Here's what to look for in a phishing scam:

How Phishing Works
 
  • #4
About the WWW, no, not all front servers are named WWW. Let your search engine or DNS server show you the options - mail, ftp, irc et cetera.
 
  • #5
Concur.

www is a convention, but by no means consistent or necessary.
Even banking sites that live and die by security have different prefixes or no prefixes at all. eg.my Royal Bank site is www1.royalbank.ca
 

1. If the "www" is missing from a URL, does it mean the website is not legitimate?

No, the absence of "www" in a URL does not necessarily indicate that the website is not legitimate. Many websites choose to omit the "www" in their URLs for simplicity or branding purposes.

2. How can I tell if a website is trying to phish for my information?

Some common signs of a phishing website include a suspicious or misspelled URL, requests for personal information such as passwords or credit card numbers, and urgent or threatening language. It is important to always double check the URL and be cautious when providing personal information online.

3. Is it safe to enter personal information on websites without "www" in the URL?

As long as the website has a valid SSL certificate, it is generally safe to enter personal information on websites without "www" in the URL. However, it is always important to exercise caution and verify the legitimacy of the website before entering any sensitive information.

4. Can phishing attempts still occur on websites with "www" in the URL?

Yes, phishing attempts can occur on any website regardless of the presence of "www" in the URL. Phishing is a form of social engineering and scammers can use various tactics to trick users into providing personal information on any website.

5. How can I protect myself from falling victim to a phishing attempt?

To protect yourself from phishing attempts, it is important to always verify the URL of a website before entering any personal information. Additionally, never click on suspicious links or open attachments from unknown senders. Keep your browser and security software up to date and be cautious of any urgent or threatening requests for personal information.

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