Cybersecurity Threat: Domain Squatting & Infringement

Resources to understand the risk of domain squatting and to protect against it.

What is Domain Squatting?

Threat assessment

With hundreds of generic top level domain extensions (gTLDs), almost anybody can register a domain name that matches or contains a brand or company name or other protected marks with the intention of impersonation, counterfeiting or even simply squatting on it. Countermeasure include registering protected marks with the Trademark Clearinghouse using domain blocks such as Global Block as well as ongoing domain monitoring for early detection of infrigements.

Potential impacts

Much like its counterpart in real estate, domain squatting is a violation of property rights, only in this instance of intellectual property. The potential impact could range from impersonation for phishing emails using the infringing domain, to counterfeit sales or even as a vehicle to infiltrate an organization for corporate espionage. The impact depends on intent, which in some cases could simply be a parked page for a future sale to the rightful owner at a price premium.

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PROACTIVE RISK MITIGATION

Prevent Domain Squatting

Register all key brand marks in the Trademark Clearinghouse and enroll protected marks under domain blocking programs such as Global Block. Make use of defensive domain registrations and automated domain renewals to protect your brand against infringements from copy-cat fraud and drop-catchers.

REactive risk mitigation

Recover from Domain Squatting

Domain monitoring is essential to identify instances of infringements early. Combine monitoring with social listening and search engine alerts for detection and engage your legal team to issue takedown notices for infringing domains and pages, followed by stakeholder communications.