Typos can cost you
Published: January 24, 2008
If you accidentally type the wrong Internet address into
your Web browser, you could end up on a site where you might be
tricked into entering personal information that could be used
to steal your identity or commit other kinds of fraud.
This is because scammers sometimes register Internet
addresses (also called "domain names" or "URLs") that are similar
to the Internet addresses of popular Web sites or are common
misspellings of popular Web sites.
For example, instead of
www.microsoft.com, the scammer might create a Web page
with the address:
www.micrsoft.com
www.micosoft.com
www.mircosoft.com
This is called "typo-squatting" or "cybersquatting." Scammers
register these domain names in order to compete with the popular
site or to earn money through advertisements.
If you enter the
wrong URL you might be taken to a site where you'll see an ad
for the site you really wanted. If you click on that ad, you
might get to where you want to go: You've made an extra click and the scammer has earned some money.
Typo-squatters and cybersquatters can also create more insidious scams, such as downloading malicious software applications and spyware onto unprotected computers that connect to their sites.
The United States and other countries have passed legislation to help challenge cybersquatting registrations, and the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has worked to remedy the situation, but cybersquatters are still out there.
How to help avoid being typo-scammed:
| • | Add Web sites you use often and any financial Web
sites you use to your
Favorites list and only
access them through your
Favorites menu. |
| • | Use a Web browser that includes phishing protection,
like
Internet Explorer 7 with
Phishing Filter. To turn on the Microsoft Phishing
Filter, go to
Tools and click
Phishing
Filter. |
| • | Check for Extended Validation SSL Certificates.
Internet Explorer 7 visually displays the validation of
this certificate with a green address bar. |
For information on how to protect your business from
cybersquatting, read
Protecting Your Business from Online Threats, a white
paper by Craig Spiezle, Director of Online Safety Technologies
& Practices at Microsoft and Christian Merida, Director of
Congressional & Public Affairs at the U.S. Chamber of
Commerce.
