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Pro audit program · v1.0

Brand Monitoring & Lookalike Domain Defence

Lookalike domains, typo-squatting and brand abuse outside your own perimeter. The cheap part of "attack surface" most people skip.

  • General target area
  • CIS Controls framework
  • 6 controls in this program
  • Cyentrix Cyentrix Trusted Author
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About this program

Lookalike domains, typo-squatting and brand abuse outside your own perimeter. The cheap part of “attack surface” most people skip.

Risks addressed

  • Critical Lookalike domain hosts phishing kit targeting your customers
  • High Marketplaces sell counterfeit goods under your brand
  • Medium Stolen logos / trademarks used in scam pages and ads

Controls (6)

  1. Defensive registrations of obvious typos

    Medium

    This control requires the organization to proactively register domain names that are common typographical variations (typosquatting variants) of legitimate organizational domains, such as switching adjacent letters, omitting characters, or using alternative top-level domains. These defensive registrations prevent attackers from exploiting…

    How to test + evidence

    Testing procedure: Top 20 typo / TLD variations registered or redirected.

    Evidence to collect: Defensive-registration list.

  2. Takedown workflow with registrar + hosting providers

    High

    This control establishes a documented and tested workflow for rapidly taking down malicious or fraudulent infrastructure that impersonates the organization, such as phishing sites, typosquatted domains, or rogue mobile apps. The workflow defines roles, contact lists for registrars and hosting…

    How to test + evidence

    Testing procedure: Documented contacts + templates to fast-track abuse takedowns.

    Evidence to collect: Takedown SLA tracker.

  3. Trademark + brand IP monitoring on marketplaces

    Medium

    This control establishes continuous monitoring of online marketplaces, domain registrars, app stores, and social media platforms to detect unauthorized use of organizational trademarks, brand names, logos, and other intellectual property. Monitoring typically employs automated scanning tools, manual review, or third-party…

    How to test + evidence

    Testing procedure: eBay / Amazon / Alibaba scanning for counterfeit listings under your marks.

    Evidence to collect: Monitoring tool reports.

  4. Search-engine + ad monitoring for impersonation

    Medium

    This control establishes continuous monitoring of search engine results and online advertising platforms to detect malicious actors impersonating the organization through typosquatting domains, fraudulent ads, or manipulated search listings. Automated tooling or third-party services scan for brand name variations, executive…

    How to test + evidence

    Testing procedure: Brand ad impersonation flagged via Google / Bing programs.

    Evidence to collect: Ad monitoring evidence.

  5. Quarterly external-attack-surface review

    Low

    This control requires the organization to conduct a structured review of its external attack surface at least once per quarter. The review identifies all internet-facing assets (web applications, APIs, cloud services, IP ranges, domains, subdomains, certificates, and third-party integrations), maps…

    How to test + evidence

    Testing procedure: External-attack-surface monitoring tool covers domains, certs, sub-domains, leaked credentials.

    Evidence to collect: EASM tool config + last review.