How does a scam website exploit you?
At their core, scam websites make use of social engineering — exploits of human judgment rather than technical computer systems.
Scams using this manipulation rely on victims believing that a malicious website is legitimate and trustworthy. Some are deliberately designed to look like legitimate, trustworthy websites, such as those operated by official government organizations.
Websites designed for scamming are not always well-crafted, and a careful eye can reveal this. To avoid being scrutinized, a scam website will use an essential component of social engineering: emotion.
Emotional manipulation helps an attacker bypass your natural skeptical instincts. These scammers will often attempt to create these feelings in their victims:
Urgency: Time-sensitive offers or account security alerts can push you to immediate action before thinking critically.
Excitement: Attractive promises such as free gift cards or a rapid wealth-building scheme can trigger optimism that may lead you to overlook any potential downsides.
Fear: False virus infections and account alerts lead to panicked action that often ties in with feelings of urgency.
Whether these emotions work in tandem or alone, they each serve to promote the attacker's goals. However, a scam can only exploit you if it feels relevant or relatable to you. Many variants of online scam sites exist specifically for this reason.
