Netcraft

Netcraft Ltd

Type of business	Private
Available in	English
Founded	1994; 30 years ago (1994) 1987-09-04 (incorporation)[1]
Headquarters	London , United Kingdom
Area served	Worldwide
Founder(s)	Mike Prettejohn
CEO	Ryan Woodley
Services	Cybercrime Disruption Internet Data Mining PCI Security Scanning & Web Application Security Testing
URL	www.netcraft.com

Netcraft is an Internet services company based in London, England. The company provides cybercrime disruption services across a range of industries.

History

Netcraft was founded by Mike Prettejohn in Bath, Somerset.^[2] The company provides web server and web hosting market-share analysis, including web server and operating system detection. In some cases, depending on the queried server's operating system, their service is able to monitor uptimes;^[3] uptime performance monitoring is a commonly used factor in determining the reliability of a web hosting provider.^[4] Netcraft has explored the internet since 1995^[5] and is a respected authority on the market share of web servers, operating systems, hosting providers, ISPs, encrypted transactions, electronic commerce, scripting languages and content technologies on the internet.

As a PCI-DSS approved scanning vendor, Netcraft also provides security testing, and publishes news releases about the state of various networks that make up the Internet.

The company is also known for its free anti-phishing toolbar for the Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Chrome browsers. Starting with version 9.5, the built-in anti-phishing filter in the Opera browser uses the same data as Netcraft's toolbar, eliminating the need for a separately installed toolbar. A study commissioned by Microsoft concluded that Netcraft's toolbar was among the most effective tools to combat phishing on the Internet, although this has since been superseded by Microsoft's own Internet Explorer 7 with Microsoft Phishing Filter,^[6] possibly as a result of licensing Netcraft's data.^[7] The service can only process public IPv4 servers at the exclusion of IPv6. The browser extensions will display security information for a domain's IPv4 servers even when the user is connected to a different server over IPv6.^[8]

In November 2016, Philip Hammond, Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced plans for the UK government to work with Netcraft to develop better automatic defences to reduce the impact of cyber-attacks affecting the UK.^[9] As of 2022, Netcraft operated the UK government’s National Cyber Security Centre malicious website takedown service.^[10]

In 2023, Netcraft secured growth investment of $100 million from Spectrum Equity Management and appointed a new chief executive, Ryan Woodley. It also moved its headquarters from Bath to London.^[2][11] In September 2023, Netcraft announced the acquisition of Australian internet security analysts FraudWatch International, who have 70 staff.^[12]

In 2024, Netcraft released its innovative approach to combating online fraud. By leveraging its AI platform, Netcraft creates decoys to lure scammers, allowing it to monitor and analyze their tactics in real-time. This method enhances their ability to detect and counteract fraudulent activities, improving online security and safeguarding users.^[13]

See also

• List of most-visited websites
• Search engine optimization metrics
• DShield, Cybercrime analytics
• WOT Services, community of volunteer users ranking website reputation

References

1. "NETCRAFT LTD | Company number 02161164". companieshouse.gov.uk. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
2. Rundle, James (18 July 2023). "Netcraft Raises $100 Million From Spectrum Equity". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
3. "Hosting Providers Network Performance". Retrieved 18 February 2007.
4. "The Best Web Hosting Companies". Archived from the original on 9 March 2008. Retrieved 24 January 2008.
5. "Part of the internet since 1994". Netcraft. Archived from the original on 23 April 2021.
6. "3Sharp Study finds Internet Explorer 7 Edges Out Netcraft As Most Accurate for Anti-Phishing Protection". Archived from the original on 30 November 2007. Retrieved 25 May 2008.
7. "Netcraft Phishing Feed To Protect Microsoft Customers". 6 February 2007. Retrieved 25 May 2008.
8. Aleksandersen, Daniel (19 July 2016). "Netcraft anti-phishing toolbar information misleading in IPv6 enabled networks". Slight Future. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
9. "Britain's cyber security bolstered by world-class strategy". gov.uk (Press release). 1 November 2016. Retrieved 23 November 2018. We will do this through working in partnership with industry - including companies such as the innovative SME Netcraft...
10. Corfield, Gareth (10 May 2022). "Scammers impersonate Britain's top cyber crime chief in fake £5m heist". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
11. Law, Ross Henry (19 July 2023). "UK cybersecurity firm Netcraft announces $100m fundraise". National Technology News. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
12. Novinson, Michael (12 September 2023). "Netcraft Buys FraudWatch to Boost Cybercrime Takedown Skills". BankInfoSecurity. Information Security Media Group. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
13. Burt, Jeffrey (13 June 2024). "Netcraft Uses Its AI Platform to Trick and Track Online Scammers". Security Boulevard. Retrieved 3 September 2024.

External links

• Official website