Virgin Media Joins Typosquatting Club
Virgin ISP starts typosquatting.
European internet service provider Virgin Media is the latest ISP to start an error redirect service typosquatting operation. On an F.A.Q. on its web site, the firm writes:
We are introducing this fresh service that we hope our clients will find useful. It’s designed to help you find the websites you’re looking for more easily. We think it offers a better client experience and more convenience, but if you disagree, you can opt out in seconds, and you won’t see it again.
Like similar schemes, the first thing that will jump out at you when mistype a domain using Virgin Media is an ad. In an example shown at TheRegister, a typo of VirginMedia.com returns a paid ad for…Virgin Media.
Most major ISPs in the United States use such typosquatting schemes, even while they battle cybersquatters of their own trademarks. As I’ve written many times, these redirect services are inherently evil compared to domain parking; with basically all good generic domains registered these services serve up on 99% trademark typos.
Verizon, Comcast, Time Warner, and even computer manufacturers such as Gateway and Dell have used similar “error redirect” service.
(Via TheRegister)
