Online brand protection and domain name management specialist Netnames has today released research from its Internet 2020 report which identifies new online risks for internet users and brands. According to the Netnames media release,

"when asked how they expect the launch of thousands of new web address endings, such as .london, .shop and .sport, to change the internet in the next five years, 40% of consumers believe it will make it a more dangerous place – over double the amount who feel that it will be safer (17%). These concerns were mirrored by businesses, with 92% of companies surveyed recognising risks with the introduction new generic Top Level Domains (gTLDs)".

Depressingly but surprisingly, the report indicates that 87% of business respondents are worried about keeping their brands and trade marks protected with the introduction of the new gTLDs. The top risk identified by companies was cybersquatters (36%), who will effectively be offered new opportunities for domain-name hijacking, traffic diversion, counterfeiting and other forms of brand abuse.  Also, 29% of businesses worry about exposing their customers to fraud -- and almost eight in ten internet users say they would shun a brand if they found themselves on a bogus website pertaining to be that brand [this is an interesting statistic if you consider that so many consumers seem quite willing to seek out bogus websites in order to buy what they know or suspect to be infringing goods].

MARQUES takes an active interest in protecting the interests of both brand owners and consumers against cyber-fraud. In particular, it has an active Cyberspace Team.