Therefore, a Web search is as likely to yield a mimic site as it is a genuine site. Users with their online meters ticking away are unlikely to be amused at the ruse. For those attempting to conduct business on the Web, malicious mischief is perhaps the area of most concern. The company and its customers bear the consequences. Or a cyber bandit remakes an authentic sales site, then collects credit card and other personal information from unsuspecting customers.
Corporations can also fall prey to critics.
These para-sites camoflage themselves to look like their host, then proceed to chip away at its reputation. Parody sites are kissing cousins of para-sites. Like para-sites, they emulate an existing site, but their intent is to spoof or mock the original site, not to derive commercial gain or damage credibility.