We’ve all done it — typed a web address quickly or clicked a link in an email because it looked familiar. Most of the time, it gets us exactly where we expect to go. But attackers are counting on that quick glance. By replacing ordinary letters with nearly identical characters from other alphabets, they can build websites that look like the real thing but aren’t. This method is called a homoglyph (or IDN homograph) attack.

In this week’s “Tech Tip Tuesday,” we’ll look at how these deceptive links work, why they can fool even careful users, and the habits that can help you avoid them.

What the Attack Looks Like

Think about how many times you log into important websites: your email, bank, payroll system, or even cloud storage for work. If the site looks right, it’s easy to assume it is right. But attackers can change just one letter — swapping a Latin “a” for a Cyrillic “а,” for example — and suddenly you’re on a completely different website. To your eyes, the addresses may be indistinguishable, but to your browser, they’re separate domains.

With small changes, criminals can:

• Steal logins and financial credentials.
• Install malware that spreads across your devices or network.
• Capture company data or provide fake payment portals.

This is why homoglyph attacks are favored in phishing campaigns — they work equally well against individuals at home and professionals inside an organization.

Why It Matters

Phishing has evolved beyond clumsy scams and obvious typos. Today’s attacks are subtle and professional. A fake website might carry a brand’s exact logo, color scheme, and layout. All that stands between a secure login and stolen credentials is a single character in the address bar.

For businesses, the impact goes beyond one user’s mistake. If an employee enters company credentials on a fake site, attackers can gain access to email accounts, internal systems, or client data. The result may be reputational damage, financial loss, or regulatory consequences. For individuals, the risks include drained accounts or identity theft.

Practical Ways to Stay Protected

Here are a few effective practices that work in both personal and professional settings:

• Check URLs closely — If something feels off, copy the link into a plain-text editor like Notepad. Substituted characters often reveal themselves outside the browser.
• Enable Punycode display — Most modern browsers will show suspicious domains with prefixes like xn--. It’s a built-in safeguard worth keeping active.
• Bookmark critical sites — For banking, payroll, or business tools, create and use your own bookmarks instead of clicking through emails or search results.
• Leverage browser and security tools — Features like Microsoft Defender SmartScreen, Chrome Safe Browsing, and enterprise firewalls can block known homoglyph domains.
• Hover before you click — Whether in an email or on a webpage, hovering your mouse over a link will display the true destination in the corner of your screen.
• Encourage awareness at work — For businesses, short reminders or quick training can prevent costly mistakes across a team.

What to Do if You Clicked One

Even with caution, mistakes happen. If you realize you’ve clicked on a suspicious link or entered information into a lookalike site, here’s what to do:

• Change your password immediately — Start with the affected account, then update any others where you’ve reused the same password.
• Run a malware scan — Use your antivirus or endpoint protection software to check for anything that may have been downloaded in the background.
• Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) — If available, turn this on. It provides an extra layer of security even if your password has been exposed.
• Monitor your accounts — Keep an eye on financial activity, email logins, or system alerts for unusual behavior.
• Report it — For businesses, notify your IT or security team right away. They can reset accounts, block malicious domains, and check whether others were affected.

The Bottom Line

Homoglyph attacks succeed because they exploit something simple: our tendency to trust what looks familiar. A single swapped letter is often enough to trick even experienced users. By building habits like checking URLs, using bookmarks, and leaning on browser protections, you significantly reduce the chance of being fooled.

And if you ever do click one, responding quickly — by changing your password, scanning your system, and alerting the right people — can keep a mistake from turning into a much bigger problem.