Beware Of Cybersquatters ! BY DAVID JAVAHERI
Have you ever searched for a specific website but landed on a completely different one after misspelling a letter or two in the URL ? This deceptive tactic is known as cybsersquatting . This practice not only jeopardizes the online presence of businesses and individuals but also poses a significant challenge in the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity . The scariest part is that you can be a victim of a cybersquatted domain and not even realize it .
Here ’ s what you need to know about this type of cybercrime : WHAT IS CYBERSQUATTING ?
Cybersquatting , also known as domain squatting , involves the malevolent act of registering a domain name that is confusingly similar to that of a legitimate entity , be it a business , organization , or individual . The primary motive behind this maneuver is often financial gain , with cybersquatters aiming to exploit the recognition and success of well-known brands . However , the repercussions extend beyond monetary losses as cybersquatting can stain the reputation of its victims .
TYPES OF CYBERSQUATTING
There are many types of cybersquatting scams , but here are the most common ones that you need to be aware of :
1 . Top-Level Domain ( TLD ) Exploitation : A TLD is the final element of a domain name , such as “. com ,” “. co . uk ,” and “. org .” Because there are so many variations , it ’ s difficult for small to medium-sized businesses to register all of them for their brand , and it ’ s even more difficult for celebrities or famous individuals .
Cybercriminals will register matching domains using different TLDs and either create offensive or inappropriate websites , requesting the original domain owner to pay them to take them down , or they will use these websites to gain customers ’ trust and make them susceptible to phishing attacks .
2 . Typosquatting : This form of cybersquatting involves intentionally registering misspelled domain names to capitalize on common typos , leading unsuspecting users to malicious sites .
Using the domain name Facebook . com as an example , here ’ s how a cybersquatter might buy their domains : Faecbook . com , Facebokk . com or Faceboook . com
Typos are easy to make , so misspelled domains can generate a lot of traffic .
3 . Look-Alike Cybersquatting : This form of cybersquatting involves creating domains with common words added to mislead customers , even if they aren ’ t confusingly similar at first glance .
Here are a few examples : 1 . Original : Google . com . Lookalike : G00gle . com . 2 . Original : Amazon . com . Lookalike : amaz0n . com or amazon1 . com . 3 . Original : Microsoft . com . Lookalike : Microsofty . com .
Looking at these , you might not think they ’ d easily trick users , but they still do !
HOW TO AVOID BEING A CYBERSQUATTING VICTIM
You can avoid being a cybersquatting victim by taking a proactive approach . Here are a few steps to take :
1 . Register Your Trademark : To benefit from the full protection of the Anti-Cybersquatting Consumer Protection Act ( ACPA ) and Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy ( UDRP ), it can be helpful to register your trademark early . These regulations will still apply if a cybercriminal registers a cybersquatting domain name and you have an unregistered trademark ; however , you ’ ll need to prove you were using it for business before the domain was registered . Trademarks aren ’ t required , but they can make this easier .
2 . Invest in Multiple Prominent TLDs : When you register your domain , also register it with the most popular TLDs , like . co and . org .
3 . Be Cautious of What Websites You Visit : When typing URLs into a web browser ’ s address bar , doublecheck to make sure you ’ re going to the correct website .
This applies to links you click too ! Hover over links with your mouse to confirm that it is the correct link . For extra security , skip clicking links and type them into the search bar on your own .
Cybersquatting is only one method hackers use to cause chaos . Cybercriminals are constantly coming up with new ways to scam businesses and individuals alike . If you want to double down on security to make sure you and your company are protected from sneaky attackers , we can help .
David Javaheri is President & CEO of Direct iT . They are based in Massachusetts and to find out more about what they do and how they could help you , please visit directitcorp . com .
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