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Netcraft

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Netcraft Ltd
Type of businessPrivate
Available inEnglish
Founded1994; 32 years ago (1994)
1987-09-04 (incorporation)[1]
Headquarters
London
,
United Kingdom
Area servedWorldwide
FounderMike Prettejohn
CEORyan Woodley
ServicesCybercrime Disruption
Internet Data Mining
Digital Risk Protection
URLwww.netcraft.com

Netcraft is an cybersecurity company based in London, England. The company provides cybercrime disruption and digital risk protection services, primarily focused on the automated detection and takedown of online threats.

History

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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][5]

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] 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.[7]

In November 2016, Philip Hammond, Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced plans for the UK government to work with Netcraft to develop better automatic defenses to reduce the impact of cyber-attacks affecting the UK.[8][9] As of 2022, Netcraft operated the UK government’s National Cyber Security Centre malicious website takedown service.[10]

In 2023, Netcraft received a $100 million investment from Spectrum Equity Management and appointed Ryan Woodley as chief executive. During this period, the headquarters moved from Bath to London.[2][11] In September 2023, Netcraft acquired the Australian security firm FraudWatch International.[12]

In 2024, Netcraft expanded its fraud detection capabilities to include the use of automated decoys designed to monitor and analyze scammer tactics.[13] Recent company research has focused on the intersection of AI and phishing, with findings on AI models directing users to invalid login URLs[14] and the identification of emoji usage as an indicator of AI-generated fraudulent content[15].

Services and Operations

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Cybercrime Disruption

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The company operates a global takedown service targeting phishing, malware, phone scams[16], and brand impersonation across digital channels, including websites, social media, and mobile app stores.

Internet Research and Analysis

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Since its inception, the company has performed monthly web server surveys to track the market share of web server software and hosting providers. These surveys analyze millions of sites to detect operating systems, server software and uptime statistics[17].

Brand Protection

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Netcraft offers monitoring services that identify unauthorized online use of trademarks, logos and corporate entities. These services include the detection of fake shops, fraudulent advertisements and executive impersonation on social media platforms[18].

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "NETCRAFT LTD | Company number 02161164". companieshouse.gov.uk. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
  2. ^ a b 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. ^ Aleksandersen, Daniel (19 July 2016). "Netcraft anti-phishing toolbar information misleading in IPv6 enabled networks". Slight Future. Archived from the original on 19 July 2016. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  8. ^ Lunden, Ingrid (1 November 2016). "UK commits £1.9B to National Cyber Security Strategy, working with Microsoft and more". TechCrunch. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  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 4 November 2025.
  14. ^ Mascellino, Alessandro (2 July 2025). "AI Models Mislead Users on Login URLs". Infosecurity Magazine. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  15. ^ "Excessive Emojis as an AI Indicator". www.netcraft.com. 24 March 2026. Retrieved 26 March 2026.
  16. ^ "Netcraft launches Phone Scam Disruption to protect brands from vishing and smishing attacks. | Mandy Davis posted on the topic". LinkedIn. Retrieved 26 March 2026.
  17. ^ Writer, Staff (13 February 2024). "Understanding Netcraft's Web Server Survey and Its Implications". Reference.com. Retrieved 26 March 2026.
  18. ^ "Online Brand Protection | Stop Digital Impersonation Threats". www.netcraft.com. Retrieved 26 March 2026.
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