Typosquattng is moving into a new phase with the popular use of social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter.
By registering domain names such as facebok.com and twitr.com,
unscrupulous typosquatters are using the sites to "display
advertisements or fraudulent promotional offers ... in the [hope] that
misspellings will draw traffic - and victims," according to a report
published on MSNBC.
These sites draw "millions of people who visit Facebook and Twitter each
day by offering 'gifts' of iPads or other 'exclusive prizes.'"
The report then notes that when a user goes to facebok.com, they find the following message:
"Dear Visitor, You've been selected to take part in our anonymous
survey. Complete this 30 second questionnaire, and to say 'thank you,'
we'll offer you a few exclusive prizes. This offer is available today
only."
A similar message comes up at Twitr.com, and to win these exclusive
prizes, the user has part with their personal information, which then
becomes the property of the cybercriminal.
The full story on MSNBC is available at www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40538986
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