Domain Name Cybersquatting and How to Prevent It?

What is Cybersquatting and How to Prevent it? - SOCRadar® Cyber  Intelligence Inc.

While searching for domain names, were you ever confused by two similar domain names? If so, you’re not the first or last person to experience this. 

This confusion arises due to domain cybersquatting, a standard tactic hackers use to undermine your website’s brand image and divert your website’s engagement to theirs. Thus, a website with a domain name similar to another is very much possible and is a result of domain name cybersquatting. 

Therefore, companies must understand cybersquatting and take preventive measures to safeguard their brand reputation and prevent the deliberate redirection of customer engagement by hackers. 

Also, if your website is based in New Zealand, when you buy Domains with the Website, ensure you get them from the best domain registrars in New Zealand.

This article delves into the details of cybersquatting and provides insights on how to prevent it. For instance, consider a brand like Flipkart; if hackers were to acquire a similar domain such as “Filpkart,” it could create confusion among consumers. If not adequately addressed, this poses a risk to the original company.

What is Domain Name Cybersquatting?

Cybersquatting is a cybercrime where a potential cybercriminal buys or registers a specific domain name similar to or identical to an existing business domain name. 

Their sole motive is to alter the brand reputation or generate/divert traffic from the legitimate website. Cybersquatting, domain squatting, or typosquatting is almost similar to trademark infringement.

Types of Cybersquatting

  • Typosquatting: It refers to intentionally misspelled domain names that imitate well-known sites or brand names.
  • Identity Theft: In this type of cybersquatting, a cybercriminal steals a company’s digital identity by creating a similar domain.
  • Name Jacking: Occurs when a squatter uses the personal name of someone significant to create a fake website.
  • Reverse Cybersquatting: This is a technique where cybercriminals exploit the existing legal framework to facilitate their domain squatting.

How to Prevent Domain Squatting

  1. Register the Domain Beforehand

The most basic and essential practice for keeping your brand name safe from domain squatting is to purchase the domain beforehand when building your website you can. Then, when your website is ready, you can easily connect it to your website. 

  1. Buy Domains From Accredited Domain Registrars

While choosing your domain, do it from an accredited and credible domain Registrar that the Internet Corporation authorizes for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to prevent specific security risks.

  1. Enable Privacy Protection

Further, take Domain privacy protection to conceal the personal information of domain owners in the WHOIS database, including their name, email address, and phone number.

  1. Register a Trademark

You can do Trademark registration, providing a legal basis for taking action against squatters. For example, if a squatter registers an identical domain name, you legally recover it and stop its unauthorized use.

  1. Register Different Versions of Your Domain

Secure your domains from malicious and spammy domain squatters by buying different domain name variations. 

For example, purchase different variations of the website’s address, such as those with alternative domain suffixes like .com or .net, variations with slightly different spellings, or even versions with added articles like “the.

  1. Set Up Automatic Domain Renewal

If you don’t renew your domain, some other website owner can else register it, gaining control and authority over the domain name. Enabling automatic renewal services can prevent that.

Conclusion

Safeguarding your domain is crucial for the success of your business, as it preserves your brand image and enhances overall engagement. So, ensure you choose the right and reliable registrar domain in NZ when searching your business for domain names and take the best measures above to secure it. 

These precautions will provide long-term benefits and help you maintain a secure online presence.

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