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An epidemic of rogue websites selling fake products and services has sparked a rash of legal battles, with companies fighting tooth and nail to protect their brands from imposter sites. The issue has taken on a life of its own, with thousands of cases filed before the Delhi High Court since 2020.

Companies are proactively seeking guidance from consultants on digital risk management and taking initiatives to prevent threats. They employ professionals, third-party agents and technical models to keep a constant check on domains similar to theirs to avoid issues of rogue websites.

When identified, companies' representatives immediately reach out to the domain holders to pull down the rogue website in 3-5 days most cases. A domain holder is an individual or organization that registers and owns a specific domain name, securing the exclusive right to use that address for their website or email services.

Out of the 201 cases related to rogue websites filed before Delhi HC since 2020, 71, accounting for 35.32%, have been disposed. In many of the 130 pending cases, interim relief has been provided by the court in the form of injunctions while hearings continue.

For instance, if a company registers 'example.in', it becomes the domain holder of that address. The matters are taken to court in cases of resistance from domain holders.

There has been a surge in companies' efforts and reliance on third-party cybersecurity services led by the emergence of such requirements, leading to a growth of this industry. The existing legal framework, strengthened by the upcoming Digital Personal Data Protection Act, offers a strong foundation to tackle rogue websites.

A well-defined framework, developed with support from industry bodies and self-regulatory organizations, could further bolster enforcement efforts and streamline actions against fraudulent platforms. To safeguard against rogue websites, many organizations allocate an estimated 1-3% of their annual revenue to purchase lookalike domains.

Companies are preventing rogue websites by buying out all possible domains similar to theirs, so that imposters can't get them. This is a key strategy in the fight against cybercrime and brand protection.

How AI, GenAI malware is redefining cyber threats and strengthening the hands of criminals

The issue has taken on a life of its own, with thousands of cases filed before the Delhi High Court since 2020. Companies are fighting tooth and nail to protect their brands from imposter sites.

The rise of digital risk management is driven by the growing threat landscape of cyberattacks. As technology advances, so too do the tactics used by cybercriminals.

The importance of brand protection cannot be overstated in today's digital age. A single breach can have far-reaching consequences for a company's reputation and bottom line.