Which hacking technique involves creating a fake URL that mimics a legitimate one?

The technique of creating a fake URL that closely resembles a legitimate one is known as URL spoofing. This method is employed by attackers to deceive users into thinking they are navigating to a trusted site when, in fact, they are being directed to a malicious one. By slightly altering the web address, such as changing a few characters or using a different domain extension, attackers can effectively lure individuals into providing sensitive information like usernames, passwords, or credit card details.

This type of attack capitalizes on users' trust in recognizable websites, making it crucial for individuals to verify URLs before entering any personal information. URL spoofing is particularly dangerous because it can compromise accounts and lead to broader security issues if multiple users are tricked.

Other options like pharming involve redirecting users from a legitimate website to a fraudulent one, but it doesn’t specifically refer to the creation of a fake URL. SQL injection is a method used to manipulate databases through malicious SQL code, and a DDoS attack aims to overwhelm a service with traffic to disrupt its availability. Each of those represents different attack methodologies rather than the direct imitation of a URL itself.