The internet is a dangerous place for companies, it’s claimed, after G4S fell victim to a hoax email that sent a bogus statement supposedly from the company, that included a link that sent clickers to a fake website looking like G4S’, in November.
Haydn Simpson, head of brand protection at NetNames commented: “Cyber criminals are well-versed in building copycat websites that look identical to the authentic versions and can cause serious damage to company valuations and hard-won reputations. It is not just banks that suffer from fraud, or luxury goods brands that suffer from counterfeiting online – all brands are vulnerable to exploitation.
“The hoax press release and fake website affecting G4S further highlights the need for companies to remain vigilant concerning internet activity that can lead to brand damage. Companies must evaluate their online strategy on an ongoing basis and ensure that they remain protected. Brands need to understand the online environment and have the capacity to detect and enforce on fake sites using their brands before issues like this come to public attention.”
