GUIDES
Playbooks
Respond to Look-alike Domains Events
4min
The Look-alike Domains alert gives you insight into potential upcoming phishing or look-alike websites. Malicious actors frequently register an SSL certificate before their website goes live in order to prevent browser warnings and lower their victim's suspicion.
A look-alike domain is a website domain name that is intentionally or unintentionally similar to a legitimate website domain name. The risks associated with a look-alike domain include:
- Phishing: Cybercriminals can use look-alike domains to trick users into thinking they are visiting a legitimate website and steal their sensitive information such as login credentials, credit card numbers, or other personal information.
- Malware: A look-alike domain can also be used to distribute malware such as viruses, Trojans, or ransomware to unsuspecting visitors. This malware can infect the visitors' devices and compromise their security.
- Brand damage: Look-alike domains can harm the reputation and trust of legitimate companies or individuals whose names are being used. It can lead to confusion and mistrust among customers and stakeholders.
- Intellectual property infringement: If a look-alike domain is intentionally designed to resemble a legitimate website, it may infringe on the intellectual property rights of the original website owner, leading to legal disputes and penalties.
- Verify the alert: Check the details provided in the alert, such as the domain name, IP address, and other relevant information, to determine whether the alert is valid. You can cross-check the information with other sources to verify its authenticity.
- Investigate the domain: Conduct a thorough investigation of the domain and its associated IP address. Determine the intent of the domain and the potential risks it poses to your organization.
- Report the incident: If the domain impersonating your organization's brand is part of a larger cyber attack or campaign, report it to the appropriate authorities, such as law enforcement agencies or cyber incident response teams.
- Take action to mitigate the risk: If you determine that the domain has a malicious intent, request a takedown from Flare by using the Takedown tab.