Parked domains redirect 90% of visitors to malware and dangerous scams

Typing a web address directly into your browser seems harmless. In fact, it seems normal. But new research shows that a simple habit is now one of the riskiest things you can do online. A recent study by cybersecurity company Infoblox reveals a worrying change.

Most parked domains now redirect visitors to scams, malware, or false security warnings. In many cases this happens instantly. You don’t have to click anything. This means that just one typo can expose your device.

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What are parked domains?

Parked domains are unused or expired web addresses. Many exist because someone forgot to renew a domain. Others are deliberate misspellings of popular sites like Google, Netflix or YouTube. For years, these domains displayed harmless reserved pages. They served ads and links to monetize accidental traffic. Although annoying, they rarely posed a serious danger. This is no longer true. Infoblox found that more than 90% of visits to parked domains now lead to malicious content. This includes scareware, fake antivirus offers, phishing pages and malware downloads.

A single incorrectly entered web address can redirect you from a trusted site to a dangerous parked domain in seconds, writes Kurt Knutsson. (PeopleImages/Getty Images)

Why direct navigation has become so risky

Direct navigation involves manually entering a website address instead of using a bookmark or search result. A missing letter can change everything. For example, typing gmail.com as gmai.com does not trigger an error. Instead, it may forward your email directly to criminals. Infoblox discovered that some of these typo domains are actively running mail servers to capture messages. Worse yet, many of these domains are part of massive portfolios. A group tracked by Infoblox controlled nearly 3,000 similar domains associated with banks, technology companies and government services.

Malicious parked domains often trigger fake security warnings or hidden redirects without requiring any clicks. (CyberGuy.com)

How these domains decide who to attack

Not everyone sees the same thing when visiting a parked estate. This is intentional. Researchers have found that parked pages often profile visitors in real time. They analyze IP address, device type, location, cookies and browsing behavior. Based on this data, the domain decides what you see next. Visitors using a VPN or non-residential connection often see harmless reserved pages. Residential users on phones or personal computers are instead redirected to scams or malware. This filtering helps attackers stay hidden while maximizing successful attacks.

Why scams linked to parked domains are increasing

Several trends are fueling the problem. First, traffic from parked domains is often resold multiple times through affiliate networks. By the time the message reaches a malicious advertiser, there is no direct relationship with the original parking company. Second, recent changes in advertising policy may have increased exposure. Google now requires advertisers to register before serving ads on parked domains. Although intended to improve security, this change may have pushed bad actors deeper into affiliate networks with weaker oversight. The result is a murky ecosystem where accountability is difficult to trace.

Even government areas are targeted

Infoblox has also observed typosquatting targeting government services. In one case, a researcher accidentally visited ic3.org instead of ic3.gov while trying to report a crime. The result was a fake warning page claiming that a cloud subscription had expired. This page might as well have distributed malware. This shows how easy it is to fall into these traps, even when doing something important.

A screenshot shows how an error typing the FBI’s IC3 web address redirects users to an unrelated parked domain. (Infoblox)

Ways to Stay Safe from Parked Domain Traps

You can reduce your risks with a few smart habits:

1) Use bookmarks for important sites

Save banks, email providers and government portals. Avoid entering these addresses manually.

2) Check URLs before hitting Enter

Slow down when typing web addresses. An extra second can prevent a costly mistake.

3) Install powerful antivirus software

Powerful antivirus software protects your device if a malicious page loads, blocking malware downloads, scripts and fake security pop-ups.

The best way to protect yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to install powerful antivirus software on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, protecting your personal information and digital assets.

Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.

4) Consider a Data Deletion Service

Data brokers often fuel targeting by selling personal information. Deleting your data can reduce exposure to fraudulent personalized redirects.

Although no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the Internet, a data deletion service is definitely a wise choice. They’re not cheap, and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically deleting your personal information across hundreds of websites. This is 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 cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.

Check out my top picks for data deletion services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already available on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.

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5) Beware of scare tactics

Fake warnings about expired subscriptions or infected devices are a major red flag. Legitimate companies do not use panic screens.

6) Keep your browser and device updated

Security updates often close the exact vulnerabilities attackers use to exploit malicious redirects.

7) Consider a VPN for Extra Protection

While not a panacea, VPNs can reduce exposure to targeted redirects linked to residential IP addresses.

For the best VPN software, check out my expert review of the best VPNs for browsing the web privately on your computer. Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices has Cyberguy.com.

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Kurt’s Key Takeaways

The web has changed in subtle but dangerous ways. Parked domains are no longer passive placeholders. In many cases, they act as active delivery systems for scams and malware. Most alarming is how little effort it takes to trigger an attack. One typo is enough. As threats become increasingly silent and automated, secure browsing habits are more important than ever.

Have you ever mistyped a web address and ended up in a suspicious place, or are you now relying solely on bookmarks? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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