Cybersquatting

Cybersquatting is the act of registering, trafficking in or using an Internet domain name with bad faith intent to profit from the goodwill of a trademark belonging to someone else. The cybersquatter then offers to sell the domain to the person or company with a trademark contained within the name at an inflated price.  

Cybersquatting can happen with external digital entities, including cloud and SaaS applications. These entities often have domain names, which cybersquatters can register. For example, a cybersquatter could register the domain name mycloudapp.com and then try to sell it to a company developing a cloud-based application called "MyCloudApp."

Cybersquatting can be a serious cybersecurity threat because it can redirect users to malicious websites or phish for their personal information. For example, a cybersquatter could create a fake website that looks like the actual website for a cloud-based application. When users try to log in to the bogus website, the cybersquatter could steal their credentials.

Here are some examples of how cybersquatting can happen with cloud and SaaS applications:

• A cybersquatter registers the domain name salesforce-login.com and creates a fake website that looks like the actual Salesforce login page. When users try to log in to the bogus website, their credentials are stolen by the cybersquatter.

• A cybersquatter registers the domain name dropbox-support.com and creates a fake website resembling the actual Dropbox support website. When users visit the fake website, they are tricked into downloading malware.

• A cybersquatter registers the domain name google-docs.net and creates a fake website resembling the actual Google Docs website. When users try to create a new document on the fake website, their personal information is stolen by the cybersquatter.

Here are some ways to protect yourself from cybersquatting:

• Be careful about the links you click on. Only click on links from trusted sources.

• Pay attention to the domain name of the website you are visiting. Make sure the domain name is correct for the website you are trying to reach.

• Use a strong password and two-factor authentication for your online accounts.

• Keep your software up to date. Software updates often include security patches that can help protect you from cybersquatting attacks.

• If you think you have been the victim of cybersquatting, you can report it to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).

ThreatNG is a comprehensive platform with a robust set of features that can indeed help with cybersquatting. Here's how its various modules and capabilities contribute:

1. Domain Intelligence: This is the core of ThreatNG's cybersquatting defense.

• Domain Name Permutations: ThreatNG proactively identifies potential cybersquatting attempts by generating and analyzing variations of your domain name (typos, different TLDs, etc.) and checking if they are registered. This allows you to identify and address cybersquatting attempts early on.

• DNS Intelligence: Helps identify who owns suspicious domains, providing crucial information for legal action or takedown requests.

• Subdomain Intelligence: Detects unauthorized subdomains that could be used for phishing or malware distribution, a common tactic in cybersquatting.

• Certificate Intelligence: Analyzing SSL certificates can reveal inconsistencies or fraudulent certificates used on cybersquatted sites.

2. Dark Web Presence:

• Organizational Mentions: ThreatNG monitors the dark web for mentions of your organization, which could indicate cybersquatting activity being discussed or domains being traded.

• Associated Compromised Credentials: If credentials related to your domain are found on the dark web, it could signal a successful phishing attack from a cybersquatted site.

3. Sentiment and Financials:

• SEC Filings: Analyzing SEC filings for publicly traded companies can reveal if cybersquatting impacts your brand reputation or financial performance.

4. Reporting and Collaboration:

• Executive Reporting: Provides high-level summaries of cybersquatting risks and trends, enabling informed decision-making.

• Technical Reporting: Offers detailed information for security teams to investigate and remediate cybersquatting incidents.

• Correlation Evidence Questionnaires: Helps gather information from different departments to understand the scope and impact of cybersquatting.

5. Continuous Monitoring:

• Alerts: ThreatNG can send alerts when potential cybersquatting activity is detected, allowing for immediate action.

How ThreatNG Works with Complementary Solutions:

ThreatNG can integrate with other security tools to enhance cybersquatting protection. For example:

• Threat Intelligence Platforms: Combining ThreatNG's data with external threat intelligence can provide a more complete picture of cybersquatting trends and tactics.

• Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) Systems: Integrating with a SIEM allows for centralized logging and analysis of cybersquatting incidents.

• Legal and Brand Protection Services: ThreatNG's findings can be used as evidence in legal proceedings against cybersquatters.

Examples:

• Scenario: A company discovers that the domain that is registered by an unknown entity.

  • ThreatNG Action: Domain Intelligence identifies the registrant, Dark Web Presence checks for domain mentions, and Reporting tools generate alerts and evidence for legal action.

• Scenario: A surge in negative sentiment is detected.

  • ThreatNG Action: Sentiment and Financials analysis correlates this with potential cybersquatting activity, prompting investigation and response.

Key Takeaway:

ThreatNG's multi-faceted approach, combining domain analysis, dark web monitoring, and continuous monitoring, provides a strong defense against cybersquatting. By proactively identifying and mitigating these threats, ThreatNG helps organizations protect their brand reputation, customer trust, and sensitive data.