In 2024, almost 1929 cybersquatting cases were filed with the World Intellectual Property Organisation(WIPO) for almost 4000 domain names. This shows how scary cybersquatting has become and how careful websites need to be regarding their Australian domain name security.

A domain name directs your audience to your website. Without a domain, your existing as well as potential prospects will struggle to reach and even locate your website. 

Whether you invest in an expensive or cheap domain hosting, you must take enough security measures to safeguard your site from domain cybersquatting. Let’s discuss the best ways to fight against cybersquatting.

What is Domain Cybersquatting?

Domain squatting is a malicious practice in which the hacker registers, uses, or sells a domain name. That is done with the intent of making a profit using someone else’s goodwill. Usually, the victims of domain cybersquatting are reputed businesses where the cyber attackers register their domain names before they can. 

The goal here is to sell the domain at inflated prices to the rightful owner. They blackmail the real owners by creating a fake website to exploit the domain for malicious purposes. Some of the consequences of domain cybersquatting include-

1. Brand Dilution for undermining the authenticity of the  website
2. Loss of revenue
3. Damaging the reputation of the Brand
4. Legal Consequences
5. Missing opportunities.

How to Secure Domain Name Against Cybersquatting?

• Understand Your Legal Options

Understanding your legal options is extremely important to stand up against domain cybersquatting-

In the case of an international domain name, you need to file a written complaint with the International Corporation of Assigned Names and Numbers. But if you have an Australian domain, you can file your complaint with any one of the following: 

• File a complaint to the Resolution Institute.
• File a complaint to the World Intellectual Property Organisation.

Note that your domain claim should be in line with the au Domain Administration(auDA), which is the regulatory body responsible for Australian domains.

Also, to register a formal complaint, you must establish the follwoing three aspects: 

• Domain name is very close to the trademark you have
• The cybersquatters don’t have any real legal interest in holding the domain name
• The domain registration is carried out in bad faith.

• Register All Permutations and Combinations

Registering different permutations and combinations is another great way to fight domain cybersquatting. When you register a domain with a different extension, you don’t leave an option for hackers to register a similar domain with an alternate extension. 

• Trademark

When you trademark your domain, you establish a strong foundation that ensures the exclusivity of the domain. You have legal grounds to sue if someone registered a closely resembled or identical domain. 

• Domain Privacy Protection

Domain Privacy Protection ensures the protection of the domain owner’s personal data on the WHOIS Lookup Database. Your mail, name, address, and telephone details are automatically saved from direct viewing, reducing the chances of spamming and offering better protection against cyber-attacks, etc.

• Choose Accredited Domain Registrar

Always prefer domain registration with a registrar accredited by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). This registrar offers standards regarding security, reliability, and transparency, guaranteeing your domain’s safety.

Conclusion

Protecting your domain name is important to maintain a strong online presence. So, make sure you adopt these simple ways to secure your domain name. It includes knowing your legal options, registering a domain with several permutations and combinations, trademarking even a free domain, adopting a domain protection policy, etc.