Analysis: Lookalike Confusable Domains Fuel Phishing Attacks
By John E. Dunn Phishing attacks depend on creating huge numbers of lookalike ‘confusable’ domains. A new report has highlighted the most prevalent examples and suggested a way to detect phishing domains before they are used in anger. Ever since phishing attacks gathered steam two decades ago, the ability of criminals to create ‘confusable’ or typosquatting domains that look plausibly similar to real ones has been a thorn in everyone’s side. Companies have their brands hijacked, users are tricked into clicking on phishing emails that look genuine, and registrars are roundly criticized for allowing all of this to happen. Large…