Takedown service to remove malicious content

You might be aware of how cybercriminals build ‘spoof’ sites to impersonate real sites and their brands to extract payment and data from unsuspecting browsers. But did you know there’s something you can do if your brand is impersonated online?

Takedown is a valuable, complex service, but in summary, the service scans for any malicious content impersonating your brand and website to then get it removed from the internet.

Here’s more about why having a takedown service makes you more proactive in your online security strategy and the benefits and features of a good service.

Getting a takedown service before the unthinkable happens

If you think ‘this will never happen to me’ impersonating websites and brands is on the increase so it’s a good idea to line up a reputable takedown service as soon as possible as part of your disaster planning. Then you’ll be prepared, should the unthinkable happen.

Success is a double-edged sword

Spoof websites used to only appear for extremely well-known brands, or public services where highly sensitive data is entered by the browser.

But malicious threat actors are seeking more brands to impersonate and are not confined to just global names. The more well-known or successful your brand is, even in small circles, particularly if you collect data or payments through your website, the more vulnerable you are to brand impersonation.

Your customers can be duped

It’s a horror story, and for hundreds of others that have been impersonated this way, that a loyal customer visits your website and in all good faith, clicks to buy, or, for example, enters personal details. Only for that website to then turn out to be a fake. By the time the customer, and you, have realised, it’s too late in that instance, but not too late to act to prevent it happening again.

Every second counts

Speed is everything in engaging a takedown service since it can take anything from 72 hours to get a site taken down. If you have a takedown service already sourced, set up and ready to go, it means you’re already ahead and can potentially save more of your customers from being duped.

Benefits of a takedown service

• Proactive security approach that can stop attacks before they occur
• Reduction of financial and reputational loss due to fraud and online scams
• Reduction of vulnerability to potential attack
• Leverage of takedown service provider’s expertise in support of your business

Features to look for in a takedown service

• Legal expertise on hand to navigate international law and regulations
• Rapid response to malicious threats, ideally immediately to lessen damage to your business and customers
• There are several key features to look for when engaging a provider and getting the right quality of service for your business.
• Access to extensive threat intelligence to accurately identify any malicious domains in real time
• Worldwide reach with hosting providers and registrars to ensure action can be taken wherever a malicious domain is registered
• Post-takedown monitoring capabilities to ensure threats don’t resurface

Here to protect your business

If you need help to secure a takedown service or are concerned about any aspect of your business’s online security or malicious content, get in touch with IT security team straightaway.

< Read more articles on our IT Academy