Fake UK websites

[Tony1044]

Hmmm...

This posting on the bbc news website comes at an interesting time, as I've come across a fair few sites recently that just seemed too good to be true when looking for netbooks.

BBC NEWS | Business | 'Fake UK sites' trick consumers

And it's depressingly easy to do this. Indeed I've done it since reading the bbc's post in about 15 minutes flat!

Within 5 minutes, I can provision a .co.uk address. By various nefarious means, I can even do it without my IP address ever being exposed or available (no...this is not just boasting, and no I won't tell you how but...in the interests of science, I'd be prepared to disclose the method of anonymity to Saturday in private so he can verify that I'm not lying).

After that, I can register a 'business mail handling address' - this is basically a PO box that masquerades as my business. Nothing illegal in this, and a number of companies do it to give the impression of a prestigious london office address.

Now it gets really interesting.

I signed up for an 0845 SIP phone number (and the service I used allowed me to do this even from a Belgian IP address)...

And I registered for a simple SSL certificate which made the site look 'legit'.

Again...I'll discuss the steps in private but I'm not going to divulge them here. I only brought it up because it's so damn depressingly easy to do.

I would also be willing to share the appropriate steps with the BBC to show them just how easy.

But some advice that'll help keep you safe:

If an offer seems too good to be true, then the chances are it is...think about my own example: how can an online shop sell a Dell netbook (current model) 55% cheaper than Dell themselves?
Double-click on the padlock symbol to ensure it relates to the site you are on (recent research appears to show these can now be compromised!)

This shows mine and the address and certificate clearly match:
CHECK ONLINE REVIEWS! I cannot stress this enough - ok, some of the genuine and legitimate startups will lose business but remember this is YOUR money
Pay by credit card - you have far more protection if you do
Always have up to date Antivirus and Antispyware products - out of date protection is no protection
Google their address and phone number but be aware these can be faked.

Stay safe.