Brian Jeffrey
Domain abuse involves the misuse of domain names for unlawful activities online. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) identifies common abuses such as phishing, malware distribution, the use of botnets, and spam campaigns.
According to a report from the Vietnam Internet Network Information Center (VNNIC), from January 2021 to October 2024, there were around 12,838 instances of domain misuse, with a significant 81% linked to international domains.
Phishing emerged as the dominant form of domain abuse in Vietnam, constituting 58% of all cases. This often includes fraudulent websites that imitate reputable brands, disguise as government institutions, or trick users through social media and emails leading to counterfeit sites.
Additionally, illegal content accounted for 42% of domain abuse incidents over the last three years, where domains facilitated unauthorized sites, promoted illegal gaming, or enabled unregulated lending operations.
Among the international domains misused in Vietnam, a majority were registered through overseas registrars, with ‘.com’ leading at 58.3%, followed by ‘.net’, ‘.vip’, ‘.me’, ‘.org’, and ‘.cc’.
Responding to the rise in fraudulent and unlawful activities online, which have adversely affected businesses and individuals, the Ministry of Information and Communications revealed a new initiative on October 21, named “Enhancing Management and Reducing Domain Abuse.”
This extensive plan aims to combat domain misuse, particularly for international domains, by establishing methods to prevent, identify, and address websites that flout legal standards in Vietnam. A vital aspect of this initiative is raising public consciousness about safe domain and website practices, bolstered by a national promotion program for ‘.vn’ domains.
The action plan comprises four key areas: policy formulation and enforcement, technological solutions, monitoring and cooperation, and educational outreach. VNNIC will oversee these coordinated efforts.
VNNIC, together with pertinent ministries, will pursue five new strategic objectives:
1. Establish a unified response system within the Ministry of Information and Communications and other government agencies to combat domain abuse, primarily concerning international domains.
2. Leverage advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, to proactively identify violations during registration, while developing systems to oversee both ‘.vn’ and international domain usage.
3. Collaborate with global organizations to address transnational domain abuse impacting Vietnam’s digital landscape.
4. Promote understanding of compliance with Vietnamese regulations relating to domain registration and management, particularly for international domains.
5. Encourage public awareness and reporting of suspicious domains through dedicated platforms such as dnsabuse.vnnic.vn, canhbao.khonggianmang.vn, abei.gov.vn/phan-anh-ott, and cucbaochi.gov.vn/hoi-dap.htm.
VNNIC has stressed the importance of vigilance from both the public and businesses, suggesting that users verify domain information via tracuutenmien.gov.vn.
With this new strategy, the Ministry of Information and Communications seeks to engage the broader Vietnamese Internet community in actively monitoring, detecting, and reporting instances of domain abuse. This united effort is targeted at bolstering the safety and credibility of online activities, particularly given the expanding concerns surrounding cross-border domain misuse.
