🛑 Phishing Website Detection: Analyzing and Reporting Malicious URLs
📌 Introduction
In the digital age, phishing websites are among the most dangerous cyber threats. These fake websites impersonate trusted brands or services to steal sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, credit card details, Aadhaar numbers, and more.
This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to detect, analyze, and report phishing websites, as well as how to educate users and integrate tools to prevent such attacks.
🎣 What is a Phishing Website?
A phishing website is a fraudulent copy of a legitimate website used to:
- Trick users into entering sensitive information
- Spread malware through fake downloads
- Initiate payment fraud
- Redirect users to malicious content
🚨 Common Types of Phishing Websites
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| 🌐 Credential Phishing | Imitates login pages (Gmail, Facebook, PayPal, bank sites) to steal login info |
| 💳 Payment Phishing | Poses as e-commerce, loan, or banking sites to collect card/UPI info |
| 📧 Email Link Phishing | Email contains malicious links to phishing pages |
| 🧾 Invoice or Delivery Scams | Fake courier or invoice pages with malware links |
| 👨💻 Tech Support Scams | Fake alerts claiming system issues, asking users to call or fill forms |
🧠 How to Detect a Phishing Website
🔍 1. URL Inspection
Check the following:
- Misspelled domain names (e.g., g00gle.com instead of google.com)
- Use of hyphens, subdomains (e.g., amazon-pay.support123.com)
- Suspicious TLDs (.xyz, .tk, .ga are often used in phishing)
- No HTTPS or invalid certificate
✅ Tool:
- https://www.urlvoid.com/ – URL reputation check
- https://virustotal.com/ – Multi-engine scan for URL safety
🕵️ 2. Analyze the Web Page
Look for:
- Poor grammar, odd fonts, or low-quality logos
- Login forms asking for sensitive info on non-HTTPS page
- JavaScript pop-ups or redirections
- No clickable links to real company pages
🛠 Tools:
- Web Developer Tools (F12) – Inspect form actions and source URLs
- Iframe Detectors – Check if content is loaded from another hidden URL
🔐 3. Check SSL Certificate & Hosting Info
Phishing sites often:
- Use free SSLs with short expiration
- Are newly registered
- Hosted in foreign countries
Use:
- 🔗 https://whois.domaintools.com – Domain ownership info
- 🔗 https://ssltrust.com.au/ssl-tools/whats-my-chain-cert – Certificate check
- 🔗 https://checkphish.ai – Phishing detection AI engine
📦 4. Analyze Using VirusTotal
Visit: https://virustotal.com
- Paste URL and click “Search”
- It checks the site against 70+ antivirus engines
- See detections from Google Safebrowsing, Fortinet, Avira, etc.
📥 Reporting Phishing Websites
🚨 Step 1: Report to Authorities
- ✅ Indian Govt: https://www.cybercrime.gov.in
- 📧 CERT-In: email [email protected] (Govt cybersecurity body)
- 🛡️ RBI/Bank Sites: Report to respective banks’ fraud reporting email
🌐 Step 2: Report to Browser Vendors & Search Engines
- Google Safe Browsing: https://safebrowsing.google.com/safebrowsing/report_phish/
- Microsoft Edge/Internet Explorer: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/wdsi/support/report-unsafe-site
- Mozilla Firefox: https://phishing.mozilla.org/report/
🛠️ Step 3: Report to Domain Registrars
Use WHOIS to identify domain registrar and submit abuse reports.
- GoDaddy, Namecheap, Freenom often host phishing domains.
📂 Phishing Website Case Study
🎯 Fake Bank Login Page
A phishing email linked to a URL likebank-login-verification.com. Page copied original login interface. Victim entered credentials and OTP, leading to ₹50,000 fraud.
Investigation Steps:
- WHOIS lookup: Registered in Nigeria, 2 days old domain
- IP hosted in Singapore
- Reported to CERT-In and domain registrar
- Bank traced IP of attacker login to report to LEA
🛡️ Prevention Measures for Users
| Do ✅ | Don’t ❌ |
|---|---|
| Always check URL spelling before login | Don’t click on suspicious links |
| Use bookmark for bank/official websites | Don’t enter credentials from email links |
| Enable 2FA/MFA | Don’t trust free offers via WhatsApp/email |
| Use real-time antivirus browser protection | Don’t download files from unknown pop-ups |
🧰 Tools for Cyber Investigators
| Tool | Use |
|---|---|
| 🔍 VirusTotal | Scan URL & attachments |
| 🌐 WHOIS Lookup | Get domain registration data |
| 🛠 SSL Labs Test | Certificate strength check |
| 🔦 CheckPhish.AI | AI-based phishing detection |
| 🕵️♂️ Web Screenshot Tools | Capture live view of phishing page for evidence |
| 📊 URLScan.io | Scan and visualize website structure |
⚖️ Applicable Laws in India
| Section | Law | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Sec 66C | IT Act | Identity theft |
| Sec 66D | IT Act | Cheating by impersonation using computer |
| Sec 43 | IT Act | Damage to computer systems |
| Sec 420 | IPC | Cheating and dishonest inducement |
| Sec 468 | IPC | Forgery for the purpose of cheating |
💡 Tips for Awareness Campaigns
- Host workshops on email and URL verification
- Use phishing simulators to test employee awareness
- Include browser plugins like Netcraft or Bitdefender TrafficLight
- Share CERT-In advisories & phishing alerts on community boards
🧠 Conclusion
Phishing websites are a rapidly growing threat, often part of wider cybercrime campaigns. With the right tools, awareness, and a proactive mindset, individuals and investigators can detect, analyze, and report phishing websites before they cause harm.
Building strong public awareness, improving technical skills, and enforcing quick takedowns is the only way to win against phishing.
🚨🔐 Want to Become a Cyber Crime Investigator? 🔍💻
🎓 Join Professional Cyber Crime & Cyber Security Training Today!
📚 Learn Anytime, Anywhere with our exclusive course book!
✅ Self-paced | 🧠 Practical Knowledge | 📖 Easy Language
📞 Contact Suyash Institution: +91 98212 124643
🌐 To Order Your Book 👉 Click Here Book Now
🚔 Learn How to Track Hackers, Trace Fraud, and Stay Ahead in the Digital World!
💡 Join the Future of Cyber Investigation with Suyash Infosolutions
