Table of contents
- What is pharming
- How pharming works
- Difference between pharming and phishing
- Goals and risks of pharming
- A practical example of an attack
- Types of pharming
- How to recognize a fraudulent website
- How to protect yourself from pharming
- Business solutions against pharming
Have you ever wondered how it is possible that, after typing the address of a legitimate site into the address bar, your browser takes you to a counterfeit page that looks identical to the original? This phenomenon is not science fiction, but one of the most insidious types of cyberattack: pharming.
Many people confuse pharming with phishing, but they are two distinct threats, although often connected. While phishing requires you to click on a malicious link received via email or message, pharming works in a more subtle way, redirecting the user to fake websites even when the correct address has been typed manually.
In other words, you may think you are browsing a legitimate website, but in reality, you are trapped in a fraudulent website designed to steal your personal information and login credentials.
In this article, we will explore what pharming is, how it works technically by exploiting the domain name system (DNS) and IP addresses, which variants exist, how to recognize the warning signs, and most importantly, which strategies you can adopt to protect yourself from pharming.
What is pharming
The term pharming comes from the combination of “phishing” and “farming.” It is a type of cyberattack that exploits vulnerabilities in a DNS server or the victim’s computer to redirect Internet traffic to a malicious website.
When we browse the Internet, we rarely type an IP address directly. Instead, we use a domain name (for example, www.onlinebank.com). The task of the domain name system is to translate that name into a numerical address understandable to computers, the IP address.
In the case of a pharming attack, this translation process is compromised: the user types in the correct address but is redirected to a fake website that perfectly imitates the original one. The goal is to trick the victim into entering sensitive data, such as credit card numbers, passwords, or online banking credentials.
How pharming works
The pharming mechanism can be carried out in different ways, but the two main ones are:
- Malware-based pharming
In this case, the attack starts from the victim’s computer. Malware infects the machine and modifies the local DNS settings. As a result, whenever the user types in an address, the browser consults the compromised settings and is directed to a fraudulent website.
- DNS poisoning
This method directly targets DNS servers. The hacker manages to manipulate the table that associates domain names with IP addresses. When the user requests access to a legitimate website, the compromised server returns the address of a malicious website.
Both techniques have the same result: a silent redirection to websites controlled by cybercriminals, without the user suspecting anything.
Difference between pharming and phishing
It is important to distinguish pharming from phishing.
- Phishing
Requires an action by the victim, such as clicking on a link in a deceptive email. - Pharming
Requires no direct interaction. Even by manually typing the correct address, the user can still be redirected to a fake website.
Pharming, therefore, represents a more insidious threat, as it can also affect cautious users who avoid clicking on suspicious links.
Goals and risks of pharming
Pharming internet attacks have one specific goal: to steal sensitive data. The most common include:
- Login credentials for online banking services.
- Personal information, such as phone numbers, tax codes, addresses.
- Financial data, including credit cards and PayPal accounts.
The consequences for the victim can be devastating: financial fraud, identity theft, loss of trust in online services. For businesses, such an attack can damage reputation and lead to significant financial losses.
A practical example of an attack
Imagine you want to access your online bank account. You type into the address bar “www.onlinebank.com”. Normally, the browser contacts the DNS server, which translates that name into the IP address of your bank’s site.
In the case of DNS poisoning, however, the domain name system has been compromised: instead of providing the real address, it returns that of a fraudulent website. You see a page identical to the bank’s and enter your login credentials. In seconds, these end up in the hands of hackers.
Types of pharming
Pharming attacks can mainly be divided into two categories:
- Local pharming
Occurs when malware modifies the host files or DNS settings on the victim’s computer. - Remote pharming
Occurs when the attack targets DNS servers, manipulating data for millions of users simultaneously.
The second case is particularly dangerous, as a single attack can compromise access to countless sites for thousands of users.
How to recognize a fraudulent website
Recognizing a fake website is not always easy, but some clues can help:
- Missing https protocol or invalid SSL certificates.
- Spelling mistakes in the domain name.
- Slightly different graphics compared to the legitimate website.
- Unusual requests to enter personal information.
How to protect yourself from pharming
Defending against a pharming internet attack requires caution and some good practices:
- Keep antivirus and operating systems updated to prevent malware-based pharming.
- Use a reliable DNS provider that offers protection against DNS poisoning.
- Always check the domain name and make sure it matches the original site.
- Look at the address bar to confirm you are on a legitimate website.
- Never enter sensitive data on suspicious pages.
- Regularly check your computer’s DNS settings.
Business solutions against pharming
For companies, the risk is even higher. Some protection strategies include:
- Implementing DNS traffic monitoring systems.
- Adopting firewalls and intrusion detection systems.
- Training employees to recognize suspicious sites and behaviors.
- Using managed security services that monitor the network in real time.
Conclusion
Pharming is one of the most insidious types of cyberattack because it strikes at the root of the domain name resolution process, making the manipulation invisible to the user. Knowing what pharming is, how it works, and how to defend against it is essential for anyone using online services and wanting to protect their personal information.
With a bit of caution, updated tools, and reliable providers, it is possible to significantly reduce the risk and browse the Internet more safely.
Questions and answers
- What is pharming?
It is a type of cyberattack that redirects users to a fake website, even when they type the correct address. - What is the difference between phishing and pharming?
Phishing requires clicking on malicious links, while pharming doesn’t: it works by manipulating the DNS or the computer. - How does malware-based pharming work?
It infects the victim’s computer by altering local DNS settings. - What is DNS poisoning?
It is the compromise of a DNS server that associates a domain name with the wrong IP address. - What risks does pharming involve?
Theft of sensitive data, personal information, and login credentials, leading to financial fraud. - How can you recognize a fraudulent website?
Check the SSL certificate, the address bar, and the correctness of the domain name. - How can you protect yourself from pharming?
Keep systems updated, check DNS settings, use antivirus software and reliable DNS providers. - Which companies are most exposed to pharming risk?
Banks, e-commerce sites, and online services handling personal and financial information. - Can pharming risk be completely eliminated?
No, but it can be minimized with security tools and prudent behavior. - What should you do if you suspect a pharming attack?
Do not enter any data, close the site, and immediately contact your provider or the affected company.
