Technology
Facebook sues OnlineNIC for domain name fraud
San Francisco, Nov 1
Facebook has filed a lawsuit against domain name registrar OnlineNIC for registering domain names or web addresses that pretended to be affiliated with the social networking giant.
The domain names like www-facebook-login.com and facebook-mails.com are designed to mislead and confuse the users who believe they're interacting with Facebook.
"By mentioning our apps and services in the domain names, OnlineNIC and ID Shield intended to make them appear legitimate and confuse people. This activity is known as cybersquatting and OnlineNIC has a history of this behaviour," Facebook said in a statement on Thursday.
The company has filed a lawsuit in California against the state-based OnlineNIC and its proxy service ID Shield.
"We don't want people to be deceived, so we track and take action against suspicious and misleading domains, including those registered using privacy/proxy services that allow owners to hide their identity," said Facebook.
There are tens of millions of domain names on the web that have been registered using these privacy/proxy services.
"We proactively report instances of abuse to domain name registrars and privacy/proxy services and often collaborate with them to take down these malicious domains," it added.
In many instances, however, domain name registrars and privacy/proxy services will not investigate or respond to abuse reports, which enables bad actors and delays our efforts to fight fraud and abuse.
"This was the case with OnlineNIC and ID Shield," said Facebook.
The lawsuit also references some 20 other domain names that are similar to Facebook and Instagram.
The domain names like www-facebook-login.com and facebook-mails.com are designed to mislead and confuse the users who believe they're interacting with Facebook.
"By mentioning our apps and services in the domain names, OnlineNIC and ID Shield intended to make them appear legitimate and confuse people. This activity is known as cybersquatting and OnlineNIC has a history of this behaviour," Facebook said in a statement on Thursday.
The company has filed a lawsuit in California against the state-based OnlineNIC and its proxy service ID Shield.
"We don't want people to be deceived, so we track and take action against suspicious and misleading domains, including those registered using privacy/proxy services that allow owners to hide their identity," said Facebook.
There are tens of millions of domain names on the web that have been registered using these privacy/proxy services.
"We proactively report instances of abuse to domain name registrars and privacy/proxy services and often collaborate with them to take down these malicious domains," it added.
In many instances, however, domain name registrars and privacy/proxy services will not investigate or respond to abuse reports, which enables bad actors and delays our efforts to fight fraud and abuse.
"This was the case with OnlineNIC and ID Shield," said Facebook.
The lawsuit also references some 20 other domain names that are similar to Facebook and Instagram.
2 hours ago
IOCUSA Welcomes AICC directive to freeze KPCC appointments of OICC posts
2 hours ago
The Third Eye: A new Cold War with a difference
21 hours ago
Indian Americans caution US university on demand to display 'flag of Kashmir'
21 hours ago
Sadiq Khan re-elected as London Mayor despite criticism over rising crime rate
1 day ago
Hundred million dollars to support Amritsar startups pledged by Indian-Americans
1 day ago
Sikh activist's murder leads to three arrests in Canada
1 day ago
Members of Congress from Indian-American communities send best wishes during AANHPI Heritage Month
1 day ago
Rutgers University faces criticism from GOPIO over its policy of displaying the separatist Kashmiri flag on campus.
1 day ago
Young child and elderly Indian couple killed in tragic Canadian collision
1 day ago
The foreign minister of India has spoken out against Biden's "xenophobia" statement.
1 day ago
UNGA president invokes Mahatma Gandhi to call for protecting journalists
1 day ago
CMFRI holds awareness campaign on climate change for fishing communities
1 day ago
President Murmu reaches Shimla for five-day visit