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    Typosquatting Sites ‘Wikapedia’ and ‘Twtter’ Have Been Shut Down [VIDEO]

    Two fake websites posing as Wikipedia and Twitter have been kicked off the Internet and fined £100,000 ($156,000) each.

    The companies behind typosquatting websites capitalize on typos — they register domain names that are similar to highly trafficked website names, and are usually missing a letter or have common misspellings of popular sites.

    [More from Mashable: Lawmakers to Homeland Security: Social Media Monitoring Threatens Free Speech]

    Typosquatting websites such as ‘Wikapedia’ and ‘Twtter’ are popping up on the web to trick unsuspecting web users into clicking on fake ads that claim the user has won a prize. In the case of these two sites, to receive a prize, like an iPad, people were asked for their cellphone number. The site sent a text with a pin and more texts with survey questions. Each time a person responded to the survey questions via texts he or she was charged £1.50.

    PhonepayPlus, the UK watchdog body responsible for regulating premium rate telephone services that booted ‘Wikapedia’ and ‘Twtter’ from the web, wrote in a statement:

    “In both cases, the landing pages for the ‘squatted’ sites looked like the genuine sites the consumer was searching for – the ‘squatted’ sites used the same logos, colouring and fonts.

    [More from Mashable: Why Apple’s Mountain Lion Didn’t Roar]

    "These ‘squatted’ sites informed consumers that they had won or could claim a prize, such as an iPad. In both cases, consumers were given the impression that to enter or claim they simply had to enter their contact details and answer some questions.”

    The companies, Amsterdam-based R&D Media Europe and Unavalley BV, fined for the Wikapedia and Twtter sites, were ordered to repay those who were charged for responding to survey questions, since pricing was not clearly stated on the prize ads.

    What other typosquatting sites have you encountered on the web? Tell us in the comments below.

    This story originally published on Mashable here.

     

    13 comments

    • Sputnik  •  New York, New York  •  3 mths ago
      the CEOs and all of their employees should spend 90 days in jail PLUS the fine.
    • Darrel  •  Beaverton, Oregon  •  3 mths ago
      After finding this article on Yawhoo! and checking it out on Youtoob, while researching it on Gewgle. I realized spellcheck is necessary. and I'm a complete #$%$ for giving up my phone# to ANYONE online.
    • Anthony  •  Lancaster, Pennsylvania  •  3 mths ago
      I hate those sites so much! One missed key and you're in scam-land.
      • Dark 3 mths ago
        I konw eaxctly waht yuo maen!
    • Capt AHAB  •  Cincinnati, Ohio  •  3 mths ago
      Sheeit son, you telling me I won't be getting that IPAD they promised me?....LOL
    • washnfold  •  Buffalo, New York  •  3 mths ago
      facebok!
    • GWB  •  3 mths ago
      Time to change the economy to "seller beware." Start attacking the frauds, not their victims.
    • William  •  Austin, Texas  •  3 mths ago
      Next go after those companies on here that post for a millionare dating websight
    • DavidW  •  Los Angeles, California  •  3 mths ago
      Bookmarks...use them.

      Protip: NOBODY IS GIVING AWAY FREE IPADS...

      Idiots...
    • MichaelS  •  Port St Lucie, Florida  •  3 mths ago
      Shut em' down!
    • Sharky  •  Springfield, Missouri  •  3 mths ago
      People need to learn to spell and type correctly, the proper use of punctuation would be nice to see as well. If you mistype something, that is on you.
    • GoldenBoy  •  Minneapolis, Minnesota  •  3 mths ago
      There we go, lets punish the people trying to make money and reward the idiots who think like slaves and slobber all over anything online. Congratulations
      • MichaelS 3 mths ago
        You are an idiot...you are honestly defending people who rip other people off for a living..#$%$
    • Will.E304  •  Stockton, California  •  3 mths ago
      Anyone else discover "youtub" yet? I hear they're giving out free iPads!
    • Walter  •  Washington, District of Columbia  •  3 mths ago
      I was almost caught by an incorrect link to Hampton Inn, having mistyoed the URL with an "s" at the end of www.hamptoninns.com. I quit the LONG sequence of steps to get my "Free" iPad before completing -- but still get annoying telemarketing calls from some early entries in the process. See the fine print I captured when looking at it again today:

      SUMMARY OF PROMOTION PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS. To receive your free "Gift" you must be 1) a resident of the United States at least 18 years of age or older; 2) register on this web site with valid contact information; 3) complete ALL the program requirements, which includes completing a set number of advertiser "Offers"; - 2 Silver, 3 Gold and 3 Platinum in accordance with Sponsor terms and conditions. Click on the following hyperlinks to go to the offer pages; Silver Offers; Gold Offers; and Platinum Offers.; 4) NOT cancel out on ANY Offers you are completing until you print the Gift Redemption Certificate; 5) and then NOT cancel out on two or more Offers within thirty days of printing the Gift Redemption Certificate; and 6) complete all Offers within 90 days of signing up to complete the first Offer and complete the remaining program requirements within 180 days of signing up to complete the first Offer. Upon successful completion of all the formal program requirements set out in the Terms and Conditions including sending us your Gift Redemption Voucher, your Gift will be shipped to the shipping address you provided on registration. LIMIT one gift per participant household per Promotion Period per participant lifetime. Void where prohibited by law. Available advertiser Offers will vary and change over time - so check back for any changes. You may be required to purchase a product or service (some on a recurring basis) in order to complete a sponsor Offer. (SEE TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR FULL DETAILS.) Your information will be shared with our marketing Sponsors. (SEE PRIVACY POLICY FOR FULL DETAILS) PopularProductsOnline is NOT affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any of the listed products or services that comprise the "Gift". These and other trademarks, service marks, logos and/or domain names associated with the "Gift(s)" are the property of their respective owners.
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