A recent study presented at the 2024 Web Conference has identified a rising cybersecurity risk known as “phantom domains.” These phantom domains result from unregistered or placeholder dot-com links that hackers can hijack, turning them into dangerous attack vectors.
Phantom domains arise in two common forms: domain errors and placeholders. Domain errors often occur when web developers misspell a domain name, leaving users vulnerable to clicking on seemingly legitimate but unregistered links.
For instance, a fictional company, Bob’s Sports Gear, might have a typo in their web link, such as “www.bobsportsgear.com” instead of “www.bobssportsgear.com,” leading to an unregistered phantom domain.
Hackers can buy these domains and create spoofed versions of the real site, tricking users into providing sensitive information.
Placeholder domains are another form of vulnerability. Developers may leave placeholder links in websites for future projects that never materialize, leaving the unregistered domains up for grabs.
If attackers acquire these domains, they can easily set up malicious sites that resemble legitimate ones.
Research suggests that phantom domains are far from rare, with over 572,000 such domains active on the web today.
These links can go unnoticed for long periods, creating a window of opportunity for cybercriminals to exploit users’ trust in familiar websites. Once hijacked, these links can direct users to spoofed websites designed to steal credentials or deliver malware.
To counter this threat, experts recommend enterprises scan their websites regularly for broken or incorrect links and educate employees about the dangers of phantom domains. In addition, using credential management tools that autofill login information only for verified domains can help prevent data breaches.
Ultimately, while phantom domains may not pose an immediate threat if detected in time, they highlight a broader cybersecurity challenge: the need for proactive monitoring and human vigilance in an increasingly digital world.