Does a sophisticated scam that includes using a domain name count as DNS abuse? Yesterday, I wrote about how data suggest DNS abuse has decreased over the past few years. A key question about all DNS abuse data is how you define it. What exactly ... Continue Reading3 Comments
I wish there were an easier way to report scam websites
· Policy & LawCould there be an easier way to alert domain registrars about domains being used for scams? This morning I woke up to a spam SMS message promoting a scam site (see picture). The scam tries to trick people into disclosing their social security ... Continue Reading7 Comments
Why I hate zero click so much
· Domain ParkingZero click advertising is full of scammers. The idea behind zero click domain monetization makes perfect sense. Instead of making a website visitor click a link on a parked page, why not just forward them to a relevant advertiser? The problem, ... Continue Reading4 Comments
Scammers target Australian domain owners
· Policy & LawPerpetrators posing as Australia's domain name registry are requesting identification documents. auDA, the organization that oversees Australia's .au domain names, has issued a second warning this year about scammers targeting .au domain name ... Continue Reading1 Comment
This is how thieves trick customers into wiring money to them
· UncategorizedThis lawsuit explains a prevalent scam. More and more companies and their clients are falling victim to scams in which the customer wires money to the wrong account. A typo domain name is often involved. For a simple explanation of how this ... Continue Reading6 Comments
The problem with branded URL shorteners
· UncategorizedThey train customers to click links that don't match the company's main domain name. Brands love branded URL shorteners. When sharing shortlinks, why use a default bitly link when you can include your brand in the domain? Many companies use ... Continue Reading8 Comments
Beware this PayPal invoice for GoDaddy domains
· Domain RegistrarsScammer is sending PayPal invoices for domain renewals. Fake domain name renewal emails are nothing new, but some aspects of one making the rounds are. A Domain Name Wire reader received a fake renewal notice today. Instead of being sent from the ... Continue Reading13 Comments
Scams versus mistakes and why it’s important
· UncategorizedCalling a mistake a scam belittles actual scams. Some people have extreme reactions when something goes wrong at a domain name company: they say they were scammed. Such was the case last week with the person who thought he'd won a GoDaddy ... Continue ReadingLeave a Comment
How a Whois check could have halted a scam
· UncategorizedVictims failed to notice the registration date of the domain name used to initiate the scam. A Wendi Deng Murdoch imposter tricked photographers into paying for flights to and photography permits in Indonesia, and a more thorough Whois lookup could ... Continue Reading4 Comments
Fake token presale at Sale-Orchid.com dupes people looking for Orchid.com
· Policy & LawLawsuit alleges that someone made away with $66,000 in fake token presale. Even if you have a great domain name, people can get confused by other domains that use your brand name. Just ask Orchid Labs, a company creating a decentralized hosting ... Continue ReadingLeave a Comment