CYBER-SQUATTING: What is Cyber-squatting and How to Protect Yourself?

Helping Keep Small Business CYBERSafe!
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CYBERSNIPPETS: CYBER-SQUATTING – What is Cyber-squatting and How to Protect Yourself?
By: Iain Fraser – Cybersecurity Journalist
CYBERInsights – The UK Small Business Cybersecurity Network
#CyberInsights #CyberSecurity #CyberAwareness #CyberSafe #SME #SmallBusiness #CyberSnippet

Cyber-squatting is the illegal practice of registering domain names similar to existing trademarks, brand names, or personal names to profit from the confusion it creates. Also known as typo squatting or domain squatting, it often involves fake websites designed to mislead visitors, steal personal information, or spread malicious content.

How Does Cyber-squatting Work?
Cybersquatters register domains that resemble legitimate websites, often using slight misspellings (typo squatting) or adding irrelevant prefixes/suffixes to brand names (brand squatting). This misleads users into visiting fake sites, potentially harming businesses and users alike.

Types of Cyber-squatting:

– Typo squatting: Using common misspellings of popular brands (e.g., goggle.com for Google).
– Brand Squatting: Creating fake domains similar to established brand names (e.g., netflix.tv instead of netflix.com).
– Geographic Squatting: Registering domain names related to popular locations (e.g., visitparis.org).
– Reverse Domain Squatting: Large companies claim domains from smaller ones by alleging trademark violations.

How to Protect Yourself:

1. Use a VPN: to mask browsing activities.
2. Register variations: of your domain to prevent others from exploiting it.
3. Monitor domain registrations: for suspicious activity.
4. Trademark your brand: for legal protection.
5. Take action: If victimized, file complaints, contact domain registrars, and consult with legal experts to recover your domain.

Cyber-squatting is on the rise, and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) reported over 6,000 domain disputes in 2023 alone. Protecting your digital presence is crucial in safeguarding your brand’s integrity.

CYBER Insights – Helping Keep Small Business CYBERSafe!

Launched in 2020 by Cybersecurity Journalist Iain Fraser and his team at IfOnly… CYBERInsights was developed to be the go-to platform providing definitive, reliable & actionable Cybersecurity News, Intel, Awareness & Training specifically written and curated for Small Business & Enterprise Owners, Partners and Directors throughout the UK. #CyberInsights #CyberSecurity #CyberAttack #CyberAwareness #Compliance #DDoS #Fraud #Ransomware #ScamAlert #SME #SmallBusiness #SmallBusinessOwner #ThreatIntel

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