Have you ever misspelled a website's domain name while typing in a URL? It happens all the time, and usually, you are just directed to an error page. But, some clever hackers have caught onto this, and have been taking advantage of common typographical errors for popular websites that generate a lot of traffic by creating fake websites with similar domain names. This is known as URL hijacking, or typosquatting.

For example, this week, two fake websites were kicked off the internet and each fined $156,000 by British internet service, Phonepayplus, for posing as Wikipedia and Twitter and coercing users into clicking on fake ads that ending up costing them money. Their domain names: "Wikapedia.com" and "Twtter.com."

"In both cases, the landing pages for the 'squatted' sites looked like the genuine sites the consumer was searching for – the 'squatted' sites used the same logos, coloring and fonts," reads Phonepayplus's company statement regarding the incident on its website. "These 'squatted' sites informed consumers that they had won or could claim a prize, such as an iPad. In both cases, consumers were given the impression that to enter or claim they simply had to enter their contact details and answer some questions."

Instead, users had to enter their cell phone numbers and were asked to complete a survey, but every time they opened a text message or responded to a question, their phones were charged.

Since the websites failed to inform the consumers of the charges, the companies have also been ordered to reimburse each customer.

For this reason, it is important to double check the URL and domain name of a website, particularly before clicking on any advertisement, survey or other link that pops up. If you have clicked on a link or are concerned that you've given private information to a fake company, contact a local Virginia virus removal center, and ask them about spyware removal, too.