The public attention COVID -- 19 got was truly reflected in the Domain Name System (DNS). And Monkeypox seems to be following the trail the pandemic blazed, though to a smaller extent, as threat actors seem to be using it as the latest phishing lure. How has this new virus been affecting domain registration?
Changes in modern-day habits and acceleration of digital transformation have led to an astronomical increase in demands for data transmission speed, capacity, and security. To keep up with these demands, IT firms have to intensify efforts to be better equipped to meet modern-day demands.
When Covid hit in early 2020, domain names, along with all sorts of digital products and services, saw a sharp boost followed by a sustainable acceleration in growth. A report by McKinsey claimed that 10 years’ worth of progress in terms of ecommerce transition was achieved within the first three months of the lockdown. IBM said it was worth 5 years of digital progress.
Over the past few months, the Western world has begun to slowly recover from the economic disaster COVID caused. Many countries have been able to speed up their vaccination program and abandon lockdowns, or at least loosen restrictions. Shops, bars, cinemas, and so on are opening up again, and with that, the desire people have to spend money.
The year 2020 saw a marked increase in fraudulent domain registrations, phishing attacks, hacks and hijacking attempts, as well as the sale of counterfeit goods. Companies must protect themselves from revenue and reputation losses, as well as the risks of data breaches -- and not just react to the new face of commerce.
Addressing Domain Name System (DNS) abuse has been a priority of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), notably since March 2020. During its 70th conference, the organization's members talked about creating a web page defining DNS abuse-related terms, which should be updated over time, to help users report cases.
Increased use of internet services, broader application of IoT devices, and COVID-related shift to remote work are just a few factors accelerating the transition to the new era of the Internet. However, the current network architecture is falling behind the imposed expectations to support new-age integrations, leaving one to wonder if the gap will close up any time soon.
In a recent CSC webinar, we welcomed information security expert Robin Schouten of ABN AMRO Bank N.V. to share his thoughts and experiences of online fraud during the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.
The 2020 COVID pandemic forced businesses to double down on their digital investments as in-person moved online. Brands refined and upped their marketing investments across digital channels - email, websites, social media, apps, and advertising - to serve their customers along their digital buying journeys.
Increased domain name registrations are only part of the picture. As the number of legitimate domain name registrations increase, so to do those registered by criminals in bad faith.