Ah Windows.com. It’s been around forever and it’s still one of the most popular operating systems out there. But did you know that there’s a way to hack it? It’s called bitsquatting and it can wreak unknown havoc on your system.
Bitsquatting is a type of cyber-attack which involves the registration of domain names that differ from legitimate domain names by a single bit. This means that the domain name may be almost identical to the legitimate domain except for one or two characters. For example if the legitimate domain is ‘windows.com’ a bitsquatter may register ‘wind0ws.com’.
The purpose of bitsquatting is to gain access to a user’s confidential information such as passwords credit card numbers and other personal information. It can also be used to redirect traffic to malicious websites or to distribute malware.
| Type of Attack | Description |
|---|---|
| Bitsquatting | Registering domain names that differ from legitimate domain names by a single bit. |
| Phishing | Attempting to acquire sensitive information such as usernames passwords and credit card details by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication. |
| Malware Distribution | Distributing malicious software through malicious websites or emails. |
Ever heard the likeable term ‘bitsquatting’? No points for guessing it has something to do with computers the internet and cyber-hacks. Well let’s just say that bitsquatting is like a wolf in cyber-sheep’s clothing. It’s a relatively new hacking bug that’s capable of unleashing potential havoc on unsuspecting websites online game databases social media etiquette and much more.
Essentially bitsquatting is a cyber-hacking bug that masquerades as an unassuming site but has totally different final outcomes. It sniffs out any weak link or gap in the web protocol and launches itself into the targeted website’s or application’s source code. It then takes over the servers and starts creating new pages out of thin air or possibly even taking over existing pages.
Once the hack takes hold all sorts of nasty or unwanted things can happen. It could be used to upload viruses and other malicious software hijack account passwords redirect users to malicious websites insert ads or steal valuable data such as credit cards numbers. The list of possibilities is endless.
Furthermore bitsquatting has the potential to take over a website’s entire navigation and makes modifications to other webpages that are totally outside the original website parameters. So in essence your website is no longer limited to what the creator intended; the hacker has the ability to alter whatever they want how they want.
No wonder bitsquatting is considered a nasty piece of online elusion. But at the same time it’s a great illustration of the lengths that some cyber criminals will take to wreak havoc on the web.
If you’ve been following the news you’ve likely seen the recent headlines about a Windows.com hack. It goes something like this: Someone came up with a way to ‘bitsquat’ Windows.com which means they registered a few variants of the domain name with slight misspellings.
This was made possible through a loophole in the way Windows.com was registered. Instead of the standard ‘.com’ extension the hackers registered a few ‘bitsquatted’ versions of the name including ‘wind-ows.com’ and ‘wndows.com’.
The danger here: Unsuspecting users who mistyped the domain name of Windows.com could unwittingly land on these ‘bitsquatted’ domains only to be met with pages of questionable content. The pages while they did not contain any malicious software raised serious privacy concerns.
Luckily the loophole was quickly closed and the hack thankfully appears to not have had any lasting or significant damage. But it proves one thing: that no matter how big or small you are hackers will always find a way to exploit vulnerabilities.
Now more than ever it’s important to double-check your website security measures. A few extra steps and a few extra layers of security could save you from a world of hurt.
In today’s ever-evolving cyber risk landscape bitsquatting has become a new and uneasy reality. Bitsquatting is a form of cyber attack in which a malicious actor can register a domain name that appears to be similar to a legitimate Windows.com domain. In many cases the subdomains and websites created by these actors can remain undetected for weeks months and even years allowing them to launch malicious activities with impunity.
Thankfully there are a few steps you can take to protect yourself from bitsquatting. First and foremost it is important to always be aware of the domains you are visiting. Any domain that appears to be similar to a trusted Windows.com domain should be avoided. Additionally it is important to use a reputable domain name registrar when purchasing domains as these services are typically more proactive in spotting and responding to suspicious domain registrations.
Another key step in protecting against bitsquatting is to use a strong and unique password for each domain you own. Passwords should contain at least 8 characters including at least one number one symbol and one capital letter. It is also useful to use a password manager to help you keep track of all your passwords.
Finally always remember to keep all of your systems up-to-date with the latest security patches. This will help ensure that any security vulnerabilities in your system are addressed and decrease the likelihood of a successful bitsquatting attack.
By following these steps and remaining vigilant you can greatly reduce the chances of becoming a victim of bitsquatting. Keep in mind however that even with the best practices in place bitsquatting is still a real and ever-present threat in the digital age.
