Title: Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) and Security Risks Author: Kriko Published: Feb 6, 2025 Last modified: Jul 18, 2026 --- 1. [Home](https://kriko.io/) / 2. [Blog](https://kriko.io/blog) / 3. [Discover](https://kriko.io/blog/discover) # Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) and Security Risks [ ⌊Uğur Eskici⌉ Uğur Eskici ](https://kriko.io/blog/author/ugureskici) Feb 6, 2025 4 mins read ![Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) and Security Risks](https://kriko.io/wp- content/uploads/2026/07/idn-domain-ornek.jpg) ## ✍️ Contents 1. [ Homograph Attacks and Threats ](https://kriko.io/blog/discover/internationalized-domain-names-idns-and-security-risks?output_format=md#homograph-attacks-and-threats) 2. [ Security Measures Used by Browsers ](https://kriko.io/blog/discover/internationalized-domain-names-idns-and-security-risks?output_format=md#security-measures-used-by-browsers) 3. [ Security Recommendations for Users ](https://kriko.io/blog/discover/internationalized-domain-names-idns-and-security-risks?output_format=md#security-recommendations-for-users) 4. [ Google: Using Non-English URLs for Non-English Websites Is Not a Problem ](https://kriko.io/blog/discover/internationalized-domain-names-idns-and-security-risks?output_format=md#google-using-non-english-urls-for-non-english-websites-is-not-a-problem) 5. [ Conclusion ](https://kriko.io/blog/discover/internationalized-domain-names-idns-and-security-risks?output_format=md#conclusion) Unicode characters have also introduced a significant security risk known as homograph attacks, or homoglyph attacks. These attacks aim to create fake websites by using visually similar letters from different alphabets. For example, because the Cyrillic letter “а” and the Latin letter “a” look almost identical, malicious actors can create domain names such as “раураl.com”, a fake version of “paypal.com” written with Cyrillic characters. This opens the door to phishing attacks and can be used to steal users’ sensitive information. ## Homograph Attacks and Threats Homograph attacks are a form of deception that exploits visual similarities between Unicode characters. These attacks present serious risks, particularly in the following areas: **Phishing Attacks:** Users may be redirected to a fake banking or e-commerce website and tricked into sharing passwords or credit card information. **Malware Distribution:** Fake websites may contain links that distribute malicious software. **Typosquatting:** Users may be deceived through fraudulent websites with domain names that resemble those of major brands. Examples: **Legitimate:** amazon.com **Fake, using Cyrillic characters:** аmazon.com **Legitimate:** google.com **Fake, using a subtle variation:** ɢoogle.com, created with the Unicode character “ɢ” These attacks are particularly dangerous for mobile users because visual differences can be much harder to notice on smaller screens and at lower resolutions. ## Security Measures Used by Browsers Google Chrome and other modern browsers use various security measures to prevent homograph attacks: **Punycode Conversion:** Suspicious Unicode domain names may be displayed in ASCII format using Punycode. For example, instead of müzik.com, the browser may display a format such as xn--mzik-7na.com. **Mixed-Script Detection:** If a domain name contains characters from different alphabets, such as a combination of Latin and Cyrillic characters, the browser may identify it as a potential attack and display a warning. **Google Safe Browsing:** Chrome and other major browsers use Safe Browsing systems to detect phishing websites and block suspicious pages. **Use of HTTPS:** Legitimate websites are generally protected with HTTPS. Users may receive a warning when a website does not use an encrypted connection. ## Security Recommendations for Users There are several important points users should consider to protect themselves against IDN-related risks and homograph attacks: ✅ **Examine domain names carefully:** Check whether the domain name of the website you are visiting is correct. Be especially careful when using banking and shopping websites. ✅ **Check the HTTPS connection:** Secure websites are generally protected with HTTPS. Be cautious if a website opens over HTTP. ✅ **Be cautious of suspicious emails:** Phishing attacks are often carried out through fraudulent emails. Before clicking a link in an email, hover over it to check the actual destination address. ✅ **Keep your browser’s security settings up to date:** Browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, and Edge provide protection against homograph attacks. Use strong security settings and do not neglect software updates. ✅ **Use security tools:** Antivirus software and browser security extensions may detect suspicious domain names and warn you before you access them. ## Google: Using Non-English URLs for Non-English Websites Is Not a Problem Google Senior Webmaster Trends Analyst John Mueller stated in a published video that using non-English URLs for non-English websites is not a problem and that Google can crawl, index, and rank them. This also applies to non-Latin characters used in URLs. John Mueller said, “As long as the URLs are valid and unique, that is fine.” He added, “In summary, yes, non- English words and URLs are fine, and we recommend using them for non-English websites.” ## Conclusion Internationalised Domain Names, or IDNs, provide a major advantage for global internet accessibility, but they also introduce cybersecurity threats such as homograph attacks. Although modern browsers have implemented strong measures against these threats, users must still remain cautious. In summary, if a domain name appears suspicious, verify its authenticity, apply appropriate security precautions, and think twice before sharing personal information. Staying safe online begins with being an informed user. --- Share: --- ## 0 Comments [ No comments yet - be the first to share your thoughts on this article! ](https://kriko.io/blog/discover/internationalized-domain-names-idns-and-security-risks?output_format=md#respond) --- ## Leave a comment By checking this box, you confirm that you have read and agreed to the [**terms of use**](https://kriko.io/privacy-policy). ## Another Articles [ ⌊A New Line of Defense Against AI Slop: A LoRA-Powered Multimodal Defense System⌉ ](https://kriko.io/blog/discover/a-new-line-of-defense-against-ai-slop-a-lora-powered-multimodal-defense-system) * [ Discover ](https://kriko.io/blog/discover) ### 󠀁[ A New Line of Defense Against AI Slop: A LoRA-Powered Multimodal Defense System ](https://kriko.io/blog/discover/a-new-line-of-defense-against-ai-slop-a-lora-powered-multimodal-defense-system)󠁿 Programmatic and/or templated content is being mass-produced to bypass platform quality filters, direct users to off-platform scams, or promote harmful services. Today, we will… [ ⌊Microsoft Advertising UTM Auto-Tagging Update⌉ ](https://kriko.io/blog/ppc/microsoft-advertising-utm-auto-tagging-update) * [ PPC ](https://kriko.io/blog/ppc) ### 󠀁[ Microsoft Advertising UTM Auto-Tagging Update ](https://kriko.io/blog/ppc/microsoft-advertising-utm-auto-tagging-update)󠁿 Until now, different campaign formats originating from Microsoft Advertising were often grouped under a broader paid search structure within analytics platforms. This created limited… [ ⌊Pagination or Infinite Scroll?⌉ ](https://kriko.io/blog/technical-seo/pagination-or-infinite-scroll) * [ Technical SEO ](https://kriko.io/blog/seo/technical-seo) ### 󠀁[ Pagination or Infinite Scroll? ](https://kriko.io/blog/technical-seo/pagination-or-infinite-scroll)󠁿 The two most common navigation methods used for content or product listings on websites are pagination and infinite scroll. But which one is more… [ ⌊Increase your brand visibility and manage it with Google My Business⌉ ](https://kriko.io/blog/local-seo/increase-your-brand-visibility-and-manage-it-with-google-my-business) * [ Local SEO ](https://kriko.io/blog/seo/local-seo) ### 󠀁[ Increase your brand visibility and manage it with Google My Business ](https://kriko.io/blog/local-seo/increase-your-brand-visibility-and-manage-it-with-google-my-business)󠁿 Google My Business, now known as Google Business Profile, is a free tool that allows you to represent your business across Google Search and… [ ⌊The Rise of Marketplaces in Europe and Türkiye: A Transformation Worth €247.5 Billion⌉ ](https://kriko.io/blog/discover/the-rise-of-marketplaces-in-europe-and-turkiye-a-transformation-worth-e247-5-billion) * [ Discover ](https://kriko.io/blog/discover) ### 󠀁[ The Rise of Marketplaces in Europe and Türkiye: A Transformation Worth €247.5 Billion ](https://kriko.io/blog/discover/the-rise-of-marketplaces-in-europe-and-turkiye-a-transformation-worth-e247-5-billion)󠁿 The world of e-commerce has been undergoing an unprecedented transformation in recent years. At the center of this transformation are now not only brands… [ ⌊What is Sellers.json and what is its purpose?⌉ ](https://kriko.io/blog/programmatic/what-is-sellers-json-and-what-is-its-purpose) * [ Programmatic ](https://kriko.io/blog/ppc/programmatic) ### 󠀁[ What is Sellers.json and what is its purpose? ](https://kriko.io/blog/programmatic/what-is-sellers-json-and-what-is-its-purpose)󠁿 It is estimated that 18% of programmatic impressions in the United States are fraudulent and that ad fraud was at risk of reaching $88… [ ⌊We spoke with Craftgate Marketing Manager Taylan Kaymakcı about the world of Payment Orchestration.⌉ ](https://kriko.io/blog/talking/we-spoke-with-craftgate-marketing-manager-taylan-kaymakci-about-the-world-of-payment-orchestration) * [ #talking ](https://kriko.io/blog/discover/talking) ### 󠀁[ We spoke with Craftgate Marketing Manager Taylan Kaymakcı about the world of Payment Orchestration. ](https://kriko.io/blog/talking/we-spoke-with-craftgate-marketing-manager-taylan-kaymakci-about-the-world-of-payment-orchestration)󠁿 Who is Taylan Kaymakcı? Could you tell us a little about yourself? Apart from my university years in Eskişehir, I can say that I… [ ⌊What is Natural Language Processing (NLP)?⌉ ](https://kriko.io/blog/content-planning-production/what-is-natural-language-processing-nlp) * [ Content Planning & Production ](https://kriko.io/blog/content-marketing/content-planning-production) ### 󠀁[ What is Natural Language Processing (NLP)? ](https://kriko.io/blog/content-planning-production/what-is-natural-language-processing-nlp)󠁿 Natural language processing, or NLP, is a branch of artificial intelligence that aims to improve computers’ ability to understand, interpret, and generate human language.… [ ⌊We spoke with Ali Sarıkaya, Greyder’s E-Commerce & Digital Marketing Manager, About the Footwear Industry⌉ ](https://kriko.io/blog/talking/we-spoke-with-ali-sarikaya-greyders-e-commerce-digital-marketing-manager-about-the-footwear-industry) * [ #talking ](https://kriko.io/blog/discover/talking) ### 󠀁[ We spoke with Ali Sarıkaya, Greyder’s E-Commerce & Digital Marketing Manager, About the Footwear Industry ](https://kriko.io/blog/talking/we-spoke-with-ali-sarikaya-greyders-e-commerce-digital-marketing-manager-about-the-footwear-industry)󠁿 Who is Ali Sarıkaya? Ali Sarıkaya entered the world of web-based software development by beginning an associate degree in computer programming. For more than… [ ⌊Strengthen your SEO strategies with Featured Snippets⌉ ](https://kriko.io/blog/technical-seo/strengthen-your-seo-strategies-with-featured-snippets) * [ Content Planning & Production ](https://kriko.io/blog/content-marketing/content-planning-production) ### 󠀁[ Strengthen your SEO strategies with Featured Snippets ](https://kriko.io/blog/technical-seo/strengthen-your-seo-strategies-with-featured-snippets)󠁿 Featured snippets stand out in Google search results as special information boxes that provide users with quick and clear answers to their questions. In… [ ⌊Strategy, Creatives, and Optimization Tactics in TikTok Ads⌉ ](https://kriko.io/blog/tiktok/strategy-creatives-and-optimization-tactics-in-tiktok-ads) * [ TikTok ](https://kriko.io/blog/ppc/tiktok) ### 󠀁[ Strategy, Creatives, and Optimization Tactics in TikTok Ads ](https://kriko.io/blog/tiktok/strategy-creatives-and-optimization-tactics-in-tiktok-ads)󠁿 At the end of the day, the platform still has a large and distinctive audience of its own. This means it is possible to… [ ⌊Dentalpiyasa Founder M. Kemal Bilgiç: We will lead the digital transformation in the dental sector!⌉ ](https://kriko.io/blog/talking/dentalpiyasa-founder-m-kemal-bilgic-we-will-lead-the-digital-transformation-in-the-dental-sector) * [ #talking ](https://kriko.io/blog/discover/talking) ### 󠀁[ Dentalpiyasa Founder M. Kemal Bilgiç: We will lead the digital transformation in the dental sector! ](https://kriko.io/blog/talking/dentalpiyasa-founder-m-kemal-bilgic-we-will-lead-the-digital-transformation-in-the-dental-sector)󠁿 Who is Mustafa Kemal Bilgiç? I have always enjoyed solving problems and developing systematic solutions for them. For many years, I pursued this passion… ## Track the digital heartbeat with Kriko Subscribe to receive curated insights, news, and ideas shaping the digital landscape. By checking this box, you acknowledge and accept our [privacy policy](https://kriko.io/privacy-policy).