A website cloning attack is the process of duplicating or replicating an existing website in order to create a new one that is identical to or significantly modified from the original.
What is the purpose for website cloning?
The following are some of the most common motivations for website cloning:
- A website owner may choose to clone their own site to perform updates safely before pushing the changes live or for backup reasons.
- In an attempt to obtain a competitive advantage, a competitor may steal portions of the website of another company.
- Cybercriminals can steal traffic by impersonating a trusted entity. In which they can then engage in further hostile behaviour by launching phishing scams luring a user into providing credentials, or to follow a malicious link.
Malicious website cloning
Cybercriminals often choose deceptive domain names that mimic reputable brands when they clone a website to divert traffic to the fraudulent website – otherwise known as ‘cybersquatting’. The hacker can then leverage these traffics to their advantage by spreading malware, tricking users into buying fake products, phishing, and obtaining user passwords, among other tactics.
Consequences of a malicious website cloning attack
- Negative SEO performance: Clone sites take organic search views and traffic away from your original website, resulting in a loss of competitive advantage.
- Brand reputation damage: Misinformation can spread due to the ability of cybercriminals to alter content during website cloning. Additionally, after visiting a duplicate website and having a bad experience, customers may lose trust in the brand and look for alternatives.
- Malware distribution and account takeovers: Cloned websites can act as a distribution platform for malware if users unintentionally download malicious software or credential access, leading to account breaches.
How to prevent website cloning?
- Install Security Plugins
- Use HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS)
- Update your website regularly
- Use a secure password for your website
- Take precautions when accepting file uploads through your site
- Submit takedown requests to both the hosting provider and the tool responsible for registering the domain
