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Typing a web address directly into your browser sounds harmless. In fact, it sounds familiar. But new research shows that a simple habit is now one of the most dangerous things you can do online. A recent study from cybersecurity firm Infoblox reveals a troubling change.
Many parked domains now redirect visitors to scams, malware or false security warnings. In most cases, this happens quickly. You don’t need to click anything. That means one typing can reveal your device.
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What domains are parked?
Parked domains are web addresses that are unused or out of date. Many exist because someone forgot to update the domain. Some are intentional misspellings of popular sites like Google, Netflix or YouTube. For many years, these domains display harmless pages. Show them ads and links to make money from traffic error. Although annoying, he rarely posed a serious threat. That is no longer true. Infoblox found that more than 90 percent of visits to parked domains now lead to malicious content. This includes scareware, fake anti-virus offers, phishing pages and malware downloads.
A mistyped web address can redirect you from a trusted site to a malicious parked domain in seconds, writes Kurt Knutsson. (PeopleImages/Getty Images)
Why is vertical navigation so dangerous?
Direct navigation means typing the website address manually instead of using a bookmark or search result. One missing letter can change everything. For example, misspelling gmail.com as gmai.com does not cause an error. Instead, it can deliver your email directly to criminals. Infoblox has discovered that some of these typing domains are actively using mail servers to capture messages. Even worse, many of these domains form part of larger portfolios. One group tracked by Infoblox controlled nearly 3,000 domains associated with banks, technology companies and government services.
Malicious packaged domains often trigger false security alerts or hidden redirects without requiring a click. (CyberGuy.com)
How do these domains decide who to attack?
Not everyone sees the same thing when they visit a parked site. That’s the goal. Researchers have found that parked pages tend to profile visitors in real time. They analyze IP address, device type, location, cookies and browsing behavior. Based on that data, the site decides what you’ll see next. Visitors using a VPN or non-residential connection often see harmless pages. Land users on phones or home computers are redirected to scams or malware instead. This filtering helps attackers stay hidden while increasing the effectiveness of attacks.
Why parked domain scams are on the rise
There are several ways to exacerbate this problem. First, traffic from parked domains is often resold through affiliate networks. When it comes to malicious advertising, there is no direct relationship with the original parking company. Second, recent ad policy changes may increase exposure. Google now requires advertisers to opt-in before running ads on parked domains. Although intended to improve security, this change may push bad actors deeper into parallel networks with weak oversight. The result is a messy ecosystem where responsibility is hard to follow.
Even government domains are closely watched
Infoblox also discovered typosquatting targeting government services. In one case, a researcher mistakenly visited ic3.org instead of ic3.gov while trying to report a crime. The result was a bogus warning page saying that the cloud subscription has expired. That page could easily have delivered malware. This highlights how easy it is to fall into this trap, even when doing something important.
The screenshot shows how misspelling the FBI IC3 web address redirects users to an unrelated parked domain. (Infoblox)
Ways to stay safe from fixed-site traps
You can reduce your risk with a few smart habits.
1) Use bookmarks on important sites
Save banks, email providers and government websites. Avoid typing these addresses manually.
2) Double check URLs before hitting Enter
Slow down when entering web addresses. One extra second can prevent a costly mistake.
3) Install strong antivirus software
Strong antivirus software protects your device when a malicious page loads, preventing the download of malware, scripts and fake security hacks.
The best way to protect yourself from malicious links that contain malware, which may have access to your private information, is to install strong anti-virus software on all your devices. This protection can alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.
Find my picks for the best antivirus 2025 winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.
4) Consider a data removal service
Data brokers often promote targeting by selling personal information. Deleting your data can reduce your exposure to a personal redirect scam.
Although no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the Internet, a data removal service is definitely a smart choice. They don’t come cheap, and neither does your privacy. These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically deleting your personal information from hundreds of websites. That’s what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of fraudsters transferring data from information breaches they may find on the dark web, making it harder for them to identify you.
Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out there on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.
Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out there on the web: Cyberguy.com.
5) Beware of scare tactics
False warnings about expired subscriptions or infected devices are a big red flag. Legitimate companies do not use panic screens.
6) Keep your browser and device updated
Security updates often close loopholes that attackers use to exploit malicious redirects.
7) Consider a VPN for extra protection
While not a panacea, VPNs can reduce exposure to targeted redirects tied to residential IP addresses.
For the best VPN software, see my expert review of the best VPNs for private web browsing Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices of Cyberguy.com.
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Kurt’s priority is taking
The web has changed in subtle but dangerous ways. Parked domains are no longer placeholders. In many cases, they act as effective delivery systems for scams and malware. The scariest part is how little effort it takes to start an attack. Typing is enough. As threats evolve and become more automated, safe browsing habits are more important than ever.
Have you ever mistyped a web address and ended up somewhere suspicious, or do you rely entirely on bookmarks now? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.
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