Owletguide.com Uses Fake Bot Check to Spam Ads

During our investigation of suspicious websites, our research team came across Owletguide.com, a deceitful webpage with malicious intent. This webpage aims to bombard visitors with browser notification spam and redirect them to potentially unreliable or harmful sites.

Typically, users are directed to webpages like Owletguide.com through redirects generated by sites that utilize untrustworthy advertising networks.

It's worth noting that the content displayed on rogue websites like Owletguide.com may vary based on the visitor's geolocation, determined by their IP address. When analyzing the Owletguide.com page, we identified two deceptive tactics employed to deceive visitors into enabling browser notification delivery.

Owletguide.com presented a pop-up overlay with instructions stating, "CLICK ALLOW TO CLOSE THIS PAGE." However, these instructions likely referred to the pop-up itself rather than the webpage. The background of the page featured an image depicting robots, accompanied by the text, "Click 'Allow' if you are not a robot." This false CAPTCHA verification is designed to trick users into granting permission for Owletguide.com to display browser notifications in the form of ads.

Advertisements delivered through such websites primarily promote scams, untrustworthy or harmful software, and even malware. As a result, users who encounter webpages like Owletguide.com may experience system infections, significant privacy concerns, financial losses, and the risk of identity theft.

What Are the Top Signs that an Anti-Bot Check is Fake?

There are several signs that can indicate an anti-bot check is fake or potentially malicious. Here are some of the top signs to look out for:

• Poor design or branding: Fake anti-bot checks often lack professional design or display inconsistent branding. They may use generic or low-quality graphics, mismatched fonts, or outdated visual elements.
• Unusual or excessive requests: Legitimate anti-bot checks typically require users to perform simple tasks to prove their human presence, such as solving a captcha or clicking on specific images. If the requested actions seem overly complex, time-consuming, or unrelated to bot detection, it could be a red flag.
• Suspicious URLs or domains: Fake anti-bot checks may be hosted on suspicious or unfamiliar domains. Check the URL carefully to ensure it matches the legitimate website you intended to visit. Be cautious of URLs that contain misspellings or additional numbers or symbols.
• Unexpected appearance or timing: If an anti-bot check suddenly appears without any prior indication or if it pops up too frequently during your browsing session, it could be a sign of a fake check. Legitimate websites usually implement anti-bot measures discreetly and sparingly.
• Aggressive or threatening language: Fake anti-bot checks may use aggressive or urgent language to pressure users into taking immediate action. They might include warnings of dire consequences or claims that your account will be locked or suspended if you fail to comply. Legitimate checks are typically more neutral or informative in tone.
• Unverified sources or third-party requests: Fake anti-bot checks may prompt you to download additional software or provide personal information to proceed. Legitimate anti-bot checks rarely require such actions, especially from unverified sources or third-party websites.
• Lack of encryption or security indicators: Legitimate websites generally employ secure connections and display security indicators such as HTTPS in the URL or a lock icon in the browser's address bar. If the anti-bot check is served over an insecure connection (HTTP) or lacks security indicators, it may be fake.

Remember, these signs are not definitive proof of a fake anti-bot check, but they can help you identify potential risks. If you suspect a check is fake or malicious, it's best to err on the side of caution and avoid interacting with it.