Why the top Google result could be a trap

Luke Meredith

You need a piece of software. You go to Google. You type in the name and hit search.

The link you want is right at the top. You click it. Simple.

Wrong. That simple click could cost you everything. The bad guys are getting very good at gaming the system.

The new scam

Here’s the deal. Criminals are building fake websites that look exactly like the real thing.

They are designed to impersonate popular, trusted software tools that IT professionals and everyday users download all the time. Then, they use clever tricks to push these fake sites to the top of Google’s search results. Sometimes they even outrank the official website.

What happens when you click?

You land on a page that looks completely legitimate. Same logos, same text. You see the big, friendly “Download” button.

You click it… but you’re not downloading the software you wanted.

You are downloading malware directly onto your machine. Or you get sent to a confusing mess of other pages. These pages try to trick you into installing a virus. This isn’t about annoying ads. It’s about theft. They want your passwords, your bank details, your company’s private data.

How to spot the fakes

You have to be paranoid. That’s the only way.

First, slow down. Don’t just click the first result you see. Look at the actual web address in the search results. The URL.

Is it spelled correctly? Scammers will use a slightly wrong address. Maybe an extra letter. Or they’ll use .net instead of .com; it’s a classic trick that still works.

Go direct

If you know the company that makes the software, type their web address directly into your browser. Don’t use a search engine to get there. Go to the source.

Look for the little padlock icon that shows the site is secure. However, even the fake sites have those now. A padlock doesn’t mean the site is safe – it just means the connection is encrypted.

The responsibility is on you. The days of blindly trusting search results are over. Be sceptical. Check the details. Or pay the price.

For extra advice on succeeding legitimately on Google that you can rely on, we at Engage Web have you covered. Speak to our team now for more information.

About
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Luke Meredith

Content Editor at Engage Web

At home in both the digital sector and the world of communications, Luke thrives on deadlines and has held roles in healthcare, retail and digital marketing, gaining a sound knowledge of a wide range of sectors. He’s a massive swot as well, holding a first-class degree in BA Communication and Media, and now uses his writing skills and keen editorial eye in his role as Content Editor here. Luke helps to oversee our clients’ content requirements, while also looking after a pool of freelance writers across three continents.