Clearnet Search Tips

This is a mini-guide (notes) about how to search the web more effectively. This means finding what you're searching for safely and hopefully faster. I keep updating this list as things change and I learn more.

• Skip the sponsored ads: Tech support scammers frequently buy "Sponsored" placements at the top of search engine results. Scroll past any sponsored links and click on the organic results, which are far more likely to point to the actual manufacturer's domain.
• Scrutinize the domain for typosquatting: Scammers register URLs that look nearly identical to official sites by swapping letters for numbers (e.g., amaz0n.com) or adding hyphens and extra words (e.g., apple-support-login.com). Watch out for unusual domain extensions like .net or .org if the company traditionally uses .com.
• Look past the HTTPS padlock: While you should always verify the site uses an encrypted "HTTPS" connection, do not rely on it as proof of legitimacy. Scammers easily obtain free SSL certificates to make fraudulent sites appear secure.
• Check the domain age: Fake technical support sites are often spun up quickly. Use a WHOIS domain lookup tool to check the site's creation date. If a major tech brand's support site was registered just a few months ago, it is almost certainly a scam.
• Beware of aggressive contact tactics: Legitimate manufacturers maintain robust contact pages. If a site immediately prompts you to call a phone number via a pop-up "security warning," leave immediately. Real tech companies will never lock your screen or instruct you to call a phone number to fix a problem.
• Use an external URL scanner: If a documentation link looks suspicious, paste it into a transparency tool like Google Safe Browsing or ScamAdviser. These services check the URL against live databases of known phishing traps, malware, and compromised sites.