What is Slopsquatting and is it a New Emerging Cyber Threat?

In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, new types of threats are constantly emerging. One relatively new tactic that has been gaining attention is slopsquatting, a technique that cybercriminals use to exploit common human errors and vulnerabilities in domain names. But what exactly is slopsquatting, and is it something businesses and individuals need to be worried about?

Defining Slopsquatting

At its core, slopsquatting is a variant of typosquatting, which involves registering domain names that are typographical variations of popular websites or brand names. In the case of slopsquatting, the strategy is to take advantage of common mistakes or “sloppy” behavior related to URLs, such as improper formatting, missing punctuation, or simple misspellings.

For example, users might inadvertently visit a site with a URL like gooogle.com instead of the correct google.com due to a typographical error. Slopsquatters prey on these types of errors by registering domains that exploit these common “slops” in human behavior.

How Slopsquatting Works

Slopsquatters typically identify common patterns or mistakes that people make when typing URLs and register those domains before legitimate users or companies do. These domain names might be slightly off but still look very similar to the original, potentially fooling the user into visiting them.

The malicious use of slopsquatting can vary, but here are some common tactics employed by cybercriminals:

Phishing: The slopsquatted website might host fake login pages to steal users’ credentials. For example, a domain like faceboook.com could host a page designed to look like Facebook’s login, tricking users into giving away their passwords.

Malware Distribution: Some slopsquatted domains may redirect to websites that automatically download malware or viruses to users’ devices.

Ad Fraud: Slopsquatted sites can also display misleading or fraudulent ads, generating revenue for attackers while users unknowingly interact with them.

Brand Reputation Damage: Even if a slopsquatted domain isn’t actively malicious, the mere presence of an incorrect domain that resembles a trusted brand can harm the reputation of the brand. Users may associate the error with the brand’s website, leading to confusion.

Is Slopsquatting a Growing Threat?

While slopsquatting has been around for some time, it is becoming more significant due to several factors:

Increased Internet Use: With millions of new users coming online every day, many are still unfamiliar with basic internet navigation or may be prone to making simple errors when typing web addresses.

Brand Protection: Major companies are becoming increasingly aware of the risk posed by slopsquatting, and many are actively monitoring domains to prevent cybercriminals from exploiting their brand names.

The Rise of Autonomous Systems: With automated bots and AI-driven tools becoming more prevalent in our digital lives, many of these systems can make the same errors as human users, creating more opportunities for slopsquatters to take advantage of them.

COVID-19 and Remote Work: The pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital platforms and remote work, opening more doors for attackers to target unwary users with slopsquatted websites masquerading as trusted platforms.

Protecting Against Slopsquatting

For individuals and organizations, there are several strategies to defend against slopsquatting:

Education: Educating users on how to properly type URLs and recognize phishing attempts can drastically reduce the risk of falling victim to slopsquatting.

Domain Monitoring: Companies should regularly monitor and secure domain names that resemble their own, particularly those with slight variations or common typos. Many domain registrars offer tools to help track similar domains.

Browser Security: Using web browsers with built-in phishing and malware protection can help flag suspicious sites before users interact with them.

Brand Protection Services: There are specialized services available that will monitor the web for typosquatted or slopsquatted domains related to your brand and take action to shut them down.

Conclusion: Is Slopsquatting a Serious Threat?

Though slopsquatting may not yet be as well-known or widespread as some other cyber threats, its potential for harm should not be underestimated. With the increasing number of web users, the rise of automated systems, and the sophistication of cybercriminals, slopsquatting could become a significant tool in the arsenal of malicious actors. By staying informed and adopting proactive security measures, individuals and companies can reduce their exposure to this emerging threat.