What is Pharming and How It Can Trick You Without Your Notice

August 9, 2021 By admin No Comments 6 minutes

You’re just trying to pay a bill online, so you pull up your bank’s website, type in your login, and hit enter. Routine stuff, right? But what if that site isn’t your bank’s at all? What if it’s a forgery made to grab your password or secret credit card information? This is Pharming, a cyber fraud that can entrap you without the slightest activity on your part. Unlike an obvious phishing email screaming for attention, Pharming is a gentle redirect to a fake website that scams you easily.

Note: Pharming is a silent, data-stealing deception, redirecting you to fake websites to steal passwords or card numbers. It’s all done behind the scenes, making use of DNS or devices. FastestVPN encrypts your connection, shielding DNS queries to block these scams and keep your online activity secure. 

What is Pharming?

Pharming is a cyberattack when your computer system is hijacked because you enter a website name like www.mybank.com, and instead of sending you there, it sends you to the correct numerical address it needs to connect. Some hackers manipulate that process so that when you finagle it, you get hooked up to a fake site that tries to steal your login, card, or other personal information. The name Pharming comes from mixing ‘‘phishing’’ and ‘‘farming,’’ because it’s like setting a trap to steal data from anyone who falls for it. 

Your browser depends on the Domain Name System (DNS) to match URLs to IP addresses. Pharming messes that up, either by tampering with the DNS server or hacking your device to change the settings. The fake sites are often copies of the real ones with the same logos, colors, and layout. You’d need to be a detective to spot the difference. You don’t even have to click a shady link or download anything sketchy. Just going to a site you trust can land you in a trap, and you might not know until your bank account’s empty or your identity’s stolen. 

How Pharming Works?

Hackers have two main tricks for pulling off Pharming. 

• DNS Servers Manipulation

DNS servers are like the internet’s phonebook, linking website names to their IP addresses. Hackers can break into these servers and swap out the real addresses for fake ones. This is called DNS cache poisoning, and it’s a big deal because one tampered server can send thousands of people to scam sites. You type www.paypal.com, expecting the real website, but a poisoned DNS sends you to a fake site that looks identical. You log in, and suddenly your credentials are in some hacker’s hands. 

• Tampering with Your Device

The other trick hits closer to home. Hackers use malware, maybe from a dodgy download or a suspicious email, to tweak your device’s hosts file. This file is like a local shortcut that your computer checks before asking the DNS for directions. If hackers rewrite it, they can make your device send you to a fake website, no matter what URL you type. So, you enter www.amazon.com, but your computer takes you to a scam version instead. 

Why is Pharming Effective?

Pharming is like a thief who walks right past your security system. Here is why it’s so hard to spot:

• No Bait Needed: Phishing scams need you to click a link and open a file. Pharming doesn’t work like that. You just type a website’s address or click a bookmark, and you’re on a fake website. 
• Perfect Fakes: These scam websites look like the original with the same fonts, colors, and even fake security badges. You need to look very closely to catch anything. 
• Slips Past Defenses: Even if you stick to HTTPS sites, Pharming can fake those security signals, making you think you’re safe when you’re not. 
• Hits Everyone: One poisoned DNS server can redirect thousands of users, making Pharming a goldmine for hackers looking to score big. 

What Happens If Pharming Gets You?

Getting caught by Pharming is like handing a thief your wallet. The fallout can be brutal:

• Bank Account Woes: Hackers with your login or card details can clean out your accounts or rack up charges before you can blink. 
• Identity Theft: Your personal info, like Social Security number, email passwords, can be used to impersonate you or break into other accounts. 
• Business Nightmares: If a company’s customers get sent to a fake site, it could leak sensitive data, spark lawsuits, and tank their reputation. 
• Hack Device: Malware from a Pharming attack might install other harmful viruses in your device, like ransomware that can lock you out of your own files. 

How to Keep Yourself Safe from Pharming

Pharming is a clever tactic, but you’re not helpless. Here is how to prevent it:

• Get a VPN in Your Corner

A Virtual Private Network like FastestVPN is like a shield for your internet connection. It encrypts your traffic, so hackers can’t interfere with your DNS request or direct you to fake sites. FastestVPN also throws in extras like malware protection and ad-blocking, which help keep other risks at bay. 

• Two-Factor Authentication

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a must. Even if hackers grab your password, they’ll need that second step, like a code sent to your phone, to get in. Turn it on everywhere. 

• Keep Your Tech Tight

Old software is a hacker’s favorite. Update your operating system, browser, and antivirus regularly to patch holes that Pharming attacks might slip through. 

• Check the URL

Before you enter any sensitive info, eyeball the website’s address. Look for ‘‘https://’’ and a padlock, but don’t trust that alone because fake websites can mimic those. If the URL looks slightly suspicious, leave it immediately. 

• Use a Better DNS

Change your default DNS for something tougher, like Google’s Public DNS or Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1. They’re built to resist tampering. FastestVPN often packs secure DNS features for extra protection. 

• Don’t Fall for Shady Downloads

Malware is a go-to for Pharming attacks on your device. Skip downloads from sketchy sites, don’t click random email links, and scan anything you download with antivirus software. 

FAQs

Final Words!

Pharming is a dirty cyber scam that can jack your info without you even noticing. It’s like a trap waiting to spring, but you don’t have to fall for it. Using FastestVPN, locking your accounts with 2FA, and keeping a sharp eye on URLs can keep you in the clear.