Typosquatting Malware

Definition ∞ Typosquatting malware is malicious software distributed through websites that mimic legitimate sites, exploiting common typing errors. Attackers register domain names that are slight misspellings of popular or trusted websites, then host malware on these “typosquatted” domains. When a user accidentally types the wrong address, they are redirected to the fraudulent site, which then attempts to download and install malicious software onto their device. This method capitalizes on human error to bypass conventional security measures, aiming to compromise user systems or steal sensitive data.
Context ∞ Typosquatting malware poses a notable security risk in the digital asset space, often targeting users seeking cryptocurrency exchanges, wallet providers, or decentralized applications. Crypto news frequently reports on new instances of such attacks, warning users about fraudulent websites designed to steal credentials or private keys. The proliferation of these threats underscores the need for extreme caution when interacting with web addresses and verifying site authenticity. Security advisories consistently recommend bookmarking trusted sites and employing robust antivirus solutions to mitigate this specific vector of attack.