Cybersecurity watchdog Netcraft exposes a growing trend where cyber scammers exploit inexpensive domain names to orchestrate deceptive health product schemes.
The scammers deploy fake news campaigns, often mimicking reputable outlets, and falsely attribute endorsements from reality shows like Shark Tank and Dragons’ Den to promote their dubious offerings.
Netcraft notes that these fraudulent activities are rampant on newly registered domain names, particularly those falling under the .cloud and .sbs global top-level domains (gTLDs).
These domains, easily obtainable for as low as $0.99, have become breeding grounds for cybercriminals to disseminate their deceptive campaigns across a multitude of platforms, making it challenging to counter these cyber-attacks effectively.
Of particular concern is the .sbs gTLD, once owned by Australia’s Special Broadcasting Service, which has witnessed a spike in registrations related to health product scams.
Netcraft’s analysts reveal a significant surge in such scams during the northern summer of 2023, with thousands of distinct IP addresses hosting fraudulent health product sites.
The .cloud domain, too, has not escaped the attention of health scammers, with approximately 30 percent of new registrations in 2023 linked to deceitful health-related websites. Netcraft underscores the importance of awareness, as cybercriminals exploit the cost-effectiveness of these domains to amplify their fraudulent activities, posing a substantial threat to online users.
