Phishing Detection Techniques
Technical methods used by security professionals to detect phishing websites and campaigns.
Multi-Layer Detection
Effective phishing detection requires analyzing multiple signals. No single indicator is definitive—instead, detection systems combine evidence from domains, content, infrastructure, and behavior.
Domain Analysis
New Domain Monitoring
Most phishing uses recently registered domains. Monitoring zone files and certificate transparency logs reveals new domains containing brand keywords.
Typosquatting Detection
Generate permutations of brand domains (character swaps, additions, omissions) and check for registrations.
Lookalike Analysis
Identify domains using homoglyphs or visual tricks to appear similar to legitimate sites.
WHOIS Analysis
Privacy protection, registrar reputation, and registration patterns provide risk indicators.
Content Analysis
Visual Similarity
Compare screenshots of suspected sites against legitimate brand properties using image hashing or ML-based similarity.
HTML Structure
Analyze page structure, form fields, and data collection patterns typical of credential harvesting.
Brand Asset Detection
Identify unauthorized use of logos, images, and other protected brand assets.
Infrastructure Analysis
Hosting Indicators
- Shared hosting with known malicious sites
- Bulletproof hosting providers
- Mismatched hosting location vs. target brand
Certificate Analysis
- Free automatic certificates (Let's Encrypt) on suspicious domains
- Recently issued certificates
- Certificate transparency log monitoring
Behavioral Signals
- Redirect chains obscuring final destination
- Cloaking based on visitor characteristics
- Form submission destinations
- JavaScript obfuscation
Detection Tools
Try our free phishing URL checker or explore our enterprise detection service.