--- title: "The risks associated with parked domains- a gateway to grave cyberattacks | DuoCircle" description: "The risks associated with parked domains- a gateway to grave cyberattacks." image: "https://www.duocircle.com/images/og-default.png" canonical: "https://www.duocircle.com/blog/phishing-protection/the-risks-associated-with-parked-domains-a-gateway-to-grave-cyberattacks/" --- Quick Answer Parked domains, registered but undeveloped, are an underappreciated attack surface because owners assume "no website, no risk." Attackers exploit them six ways: credential phishing via fake login pages on lookalike parked domains, malware distribution through DNS hijacking or malicious ads on parking pages, email phishing and spoofing from parked domains that lack SPF/DKIM/DMARC, search-engine poisoning to push malicious parked sites up SERPs, and command-and-control hosting using dynamic DNS. Even Microsoft and DocuSign parked domains have been abused. Defenses: publish a hard-fail SPF record (v=spf1 -all) on every parked domain, optionally publish a null DKIM record, and publish DMARC at p=reject (v=DMARC1; p=reject; rua=mailto:reports@yourdomain.com). Lock the domain at the registrar, enable 2FA on the registrar account, and use WHOIS privacy. The Emotet campaign of 2020 showed how quickly parked domains get weaponized, roughly 1% of newly parked domains were observed delivering malware within months. The risks associated with parked domains- a gateway to grave cyberattacks Your browser does not support the audio element. [ Download episode](https://media.mailhop.org/duocircle/images/2024/08/The-risks-associated-with-parked-domains-a-gateway-to-grave-cyberattacks.mp3) Share [ ](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=undefined%2Fblog%2Fphishing-protection%2Fthe-risks-associated-with-parked-domains-a-gateway-to-grave-cyberattacks%2F "Share on LinkedIn") [ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=The%20risks%20associated%20with%20parked%20domains-%20a%20gateway%20to%20grave%20cyberattacks&url=undefined%2Fblog%2Fphishing-protection%2Fthe-risks-associated-with-parked-domains-a-gateway-to-grave-cyberattacks%2F "Share on X/Twitter") [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=undefined%2Fblog%2Fphishing-protection%2Fthe-risks-associated-with-parked-domains-a-gateway-to-grave-cyberattacks%2F "Share on Facebook") [ ](https://reddit.com/submit?url=undefined%2Fblog%2Fphishing-protection%2Fthe-risks-associated-with-parked-domains-a-gateway-to-grave-cyberattacks%2F&title=The%20risks%20associated%20with%20parked%20domains-%20a%20gateway%20to%20grave%20cyberattacks "Share on Reddit") [ ](mailto:?subject=The%20risks%20associated%20with%20parked%20domains-%20a%20gateway%20to%20grave%20cyberattacks&body=Check out this article: undefined%2Fblog%2Fphishing-protection%2Fthe-risks-associated-with-parked-domains-a-gateway-to-grave-cyberattacks%2F "Share via Email") ![parked domains gateway](https://media.mailhop.org/duocircle/images/2024/08/DMARC-report-service-2505.jpg) Brand owners **buy domains** and park them for several reasons, including future use or development and [brand protection](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brand%5Fprotection). Sometimes, they also buy them because they want to hold onto a name they like or identify with, even if they don’t have the purpose of developing it anytime soon. Doesn’t this idea sound harmless at first? Well, that’s not the ground reality, actually. Off lately, parked domains, or we should say ‘unsecured’ parked domains are becoming [security vulnerabilities](https://www.spiceworks.com/it-security/vulnerability-management/articles/what-is-a-security-vulnerability/) that threat actors take advantage of due to their **dormant status**. In fact, well-known brands like [Microsoft and DocuSigns’ parked domains](https://www.northdoor.co.uk/insight/blog/2024-phishing-threat-trends-report/) have also been exploited. This is because phishing emails sent from reputed domains **enhance their legitimacy** and evade detection by [secure email gateways (SEGs)](/email-hosting/understanding-the-relevance-of-secure-email-gateways-segs/). [![ secure email gateways](https://media.mailhop.org/duocircle/images/2024/08/dmarc-report-4.jpg)](https://media.mailhop.org/duocircle/images/2024/08/dmarc-report-4.jpg) ## Common parked domain abuses **Business owners perceive** parked domains as dormant and low-risk asset, overlooking their security. This mindset has contributed to the increase of following types of cyberattacks by exploiting parked domains. ### Credential stealing Threat actors typically use domains of **trusted brands** to deceive users into giving [sensitive information](https://www.darkreading.com/application-security/privategpt-tackles-sensitive-info-chatgpt-prompts), including login credentials. They set up a [fake login page](https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/93465-fake-login-pages-are-spoofing-the-worlds-largest-brands-where-does-it-end) with a similar interface to the original website, tricking users into trusting the platforms and entering their credentials. ### Malware distribution Attackers hijack the [DNS records](https://www.ibm.com/topics/dns-records) of a parked domain to **redirect traffic** to malicious IP addresses or websites. _This can involve changing the A record (which maps the domain to an IP address) or setting up malicious subdomains_. As a result visitors to the parked domain are redirected to a site that servers malware, tries to steal credentials, or runs other [malicious codes](https://www.wired.com/story/qr-codes-phishing-attack/). Another way they can distribute malware is by buying ad space on domain parking services that use advertising networks to monetize parked domains and [injecting malicious ads](https://thehackernews.com/2024/07/alert-hotpage-adware-disguised-as-ad.html) into the **ad network**. So, whenever someone will click the advertisement, they will be taken to a website hosting malware or exploit kits. ### Email phishing, spoofing, and ransomware Parked domains with no proper **authentication protocols** (SPF, DKIM, and [DMARC](/resources/what-is-dmarc)) are often used for phishing and spoofing emails. At times, malicious actors send emails to internal employees of the brand, requesting junior or mid-level employees to share sensitive data by impersonating a senior employee. Once they get access to the data, they demand ransom in exchange of getting rid of the copy, agreeing to not make it public, or sell it. ### Search engine poisoning [Threat actors](https://thehackernews.com/2024/07/tag-100-new-threat-actor-uses-open.html) manipulate **search engine rankings** to push parked domains higher in search results, often using SEO techniques like keyword stuffing and backlinking. This way, they attract more visitors, leading them to [insecure websites](https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-51719588) that distributes malware, request entering login credentials, or ask to share sensitive information. ### Command and control servers Bad actors use the DNS manipulation technique where they use dynamic DNS services with parked domains to frequently change the [IP address](https://www.fortinet.com/resources/cyberglossary/what-is-ip-address) associated with the domain. _This makes it harder for defenders to track and block the C2 server. They may also exploit DNS queries and responses to communicate with malware by encoding commands in DNS traffic_. Parked domains can be used to host these **DNS servers**, making it harder to detect C2 traffic. ## Real-life example: Emotet Campaign Cybercriminals used parked domains to spread malware through the Emotet botnet. Parked domains are inactive and often monetized through ads. Between March and September 2020, researchers found that about [1% of newly parked domains were misused for malware and phishing attacks](https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/emotet-campaign-used-parked-domains-to-deliver-malware-payloads/). **Parking services** and ad networks often fail to filter out malicious advertisers, exposing users to threats. [Emotet’s attacks](https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/cisa-emotet-increasing-attacks-on-us-state-local-governments/) targeted multiple countries and various industries. One example is a domain, **valleymedicalandsurgicalclinic.com**, which was registered and parked in July 2020\. By September, it was being used to deliver malware through phishing emails that stole credentials and compromised devices. The Emotet botnet, initially a banking Trojan, has evolved to deliver various malware payloads, including QakBot and Trickbot, which can deploy [ransomware like Ryuk and Conti](https://securityintelligence.com/news/news-conti-ransomware-ryuks-successor/). _Some attacks also used COVID-19 themes to exploit fears, but they were not successful_. [![email security](https://media.mailhop.org/duocircle/images/2024/08/dmarc-report-1601.jpg)](https://media.mailhop.org/duocircle/images/2024/08/dmarc-report-1601.jpg) ## Preventing parked domain exploitation using SPF, DKIM, and DMARC Using SPF, DKIM, and DMARC and robust [email security](/) measures for parked domains can help protect against [email spoofing](https://www.pcmag.com/news/nsa-warns-of-north-korean-hackers-spoofing-emails-from-legit-domains) and phishing attacks that might abuse your domain name. Here’s how to **implement these protocols** for parked domains: ### 1\. SPF (Sender Policy Framework) _SPF helps specify which mail servers are allowed to send email on behalf of your domain_. For parked domains, you typically want to ensure no emails are sent, so you will set a restrictive [SPF record](/content/spf-records). ### 2\. DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) [DKIM](/resources/what-is-dkim) allows the recipient of an email to verify that it was indeed sent by the owner of the domain and that the message was not altered in transit. You won’t be sending emails for parked domains, so it’s an **optional protocol**. ### 3\. DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance) DMARC builds on [SPF](/resources/what-is-spf) and DKIM by providing instructions on handling emails that fail SPF and/or DKIM checks. It also **offers reporting capabilities**. Here is an example of a [DMARC record](/resources/create-dmarc-records)\- v=DMARC1; p=reject; rua=mailto:[your-email@example.com](mailto:your-email@example.com); ruf=mailto:[your-email@example.com](mailto:your-email@example.com); fo=1; Where: - **v=DMARC1**: Specifies the DMARC version. - **p=reject**: Instructs receiving [mail servers](https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/definition/mail-server-mail-transfer-transport-agent-MTA-mail-router-Internet-mailer) to reject all emails that fail SPF or DKIM checks. - **rua=mailto:[your-email@example.com](mailto:your-email@example.com)**: Provides an email address to **receive aggregate reports** about emails sent from your domain. - **ruf=mailto:[your-email@example.com](mailto:your-email@example.com)**: _Provides an email address to receive forensic reports on emails that fail DMARC checks_. - **fo=1**: Requests a report for every message that fails either SPF or DKIM. ## Final words To **protect parked domains**, enable domain locking and [two-factor authentication (2FA)](https://thehackernews.com/2021/10/google-to-turns-on-2-factor.html) with your registrar to prevent unauthorized changes or transfers. Additionally, consider using WHOIS privacy protection to hide your personal information from potential attackers. By taking these proactive measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of your parked domains being compromised. As for us, we can help you implement SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. [Contact us](/contact) to know more or get started. ## Topics DKIMDMARCemail securityspfSPF record ![Brad Slavin](https://media.mailhop.org/dmarcreport/images/team/brad-slavin.jpg) Brad Slavin General Manager General Manager at DuoCircle. Product strategy and commercial lead across the email security portfolio. ## Secure your email infrastructure Protect, authenticate, and deliver. Contact our team to find the right solution. [Contact Sales](/contact/) [Explore Products](/products/) ## Related Articles [ Phishing 6m How Domain Verification Helps Prevent Email Phishing Attacks Apr 1, 2026 ](/blog/phishing-protection/how-domain-verification-helps-prevent-email-phishing-attacks/)[ Phishing 11m AI-Generated Phishing Has Eliminated the Typo: Why Traditional Email Filters Are No Longer Enough Apr 28, 2026 ](/blog/ai-generated-phishing-eliminates-typos-making-traditional-email-filters-ineffective/)[ Phishing 6m Rise in cybercrime against older adults across the world- the current scenario Nov 8, 2024 ](/blog/phishing-protection/global-rise-in-cybercrime-targeting-older-adults-current-scenario/)[ Phishing 5m Threat actors are exploiting Google Calendars for phishing and spoofing attempts Mar 7, 2025 ](/blog/phishing-protection/threat-actors-exploit-google-calendar-for-phishing-and-spoofing/) ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Organization","name":"DuoCircle LLC","url":"https://www.duocircle.com","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://www.duocircle.com/images/duocircle-logo.png"},"description":"DuoCircle is a portfolio of specialized email products covering protection, authentication, delivery, and routing. 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