The growth of internet traffic around the globe has increased business opportunities for people everywhere. Unfortunately, with every positive change, there's usually a negative one. In this case, the Internet has not only become a prime place for business to thrive, but it has also become a place where criminals can take advantage of people surfing the web - and do it all anonymously.
There are many kinds of cyber crimes, ranging from impersonation to basic spamming. However, when it comes to businesses, they must be always on the alert for one common threat that many fall prey to: Cybersquatting. Another name for it is "domain squatting." The short and long of it is that anonymous people are able to sell other domains for exorbitant prices. For example, when squatters occupy an empty house, that does not make it their house, therefore it would be illegal for them to rent it out to anybody or make any profit on the property. The same concept goes for domain names on the Internet. The Cybersquatters basically rent out something that does not belong to them, effectively pulling the wool over the customers' eyes and supplying him with something that he can never own.
Yet another name for this type of cyber crime is "typosquatting." Another method for getting their hands on a URL is to wait for someone to fail to re-register their website one year. Using software, the cybersquatter can then register the name, too, and sell it out. What makes this illegal is that you cannot rent out your own domain name. The other method that cybersquatters tend to use is something nicknamed, 'namejacking.' In this instance, the cybersquatter purchases someone's name as a domain, such as 'britneyspears.' They then can capitalize on all of the profits that are made as a result of all the searches on that domain. It is basically a form of impersonation. It is harder to catch online, however, because the criminals are always faceless.
Because of the constant threat of cybersquatting, it is obviously important for customers who shop online to be aware of how to protect themselves from being ripped off. One of the first things that are recommended by the Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (CANN) is to report it to the Uniform Domain Name Resolution Policy (UDRP). They deal specifically in domain disputes. However, the best way to get out of a cybersquatting problem is to avoid the problem in the first place.
First, check a domain name out before you purchase it. Do a quick search and see if it leads you to a suspicious website. Examples of this are "server under construction," "domain name for sale," etc. You may then want to contact the domain name registrant to see if they are legitimate. There are three main ways to fight a cybersquatter: pay for the domain name, regardless. You can sue under the ACPA, or use the international arbitration system set up by CANN. This strategy could get you your website back, but there are really no guarantees.
It's no fun to deal with cybersquatters, but the reality is that many people have to deal with them simply because they fail to renew their websites on time. Hopefully this article taught you a little something so that you don't end up falling victim to a cybersquatter. In the worst case scenario, you may have to hire a lawyer, and in the best case scenario, you'll get your website back without much work.
Find out more about cybersquatting domains and learn how to make money online with legitimate hard work.
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