UK based .co.uk web sites

WLM21

I have just seen an article on television, stating that not all web sites ending with .co.uk are actually based in the UK, which was a bit of a surprise.

Maybe not 100% accurate, but if you have the Firefox browser, you can download an add-on, called Flagfox. This then puts a wee flag at the end of the web site address when you open it in the browser. Obviously there's a wee Union Flag on my screen now

The download is here :-

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/5791

If you want any other add-on, go here:-

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/browse/type:1/cat:14

HAPPY SURFING

jmarko

i'm confused as to what difference it makes. my blog is hosted in Denmark but has a .co.uk domain. enlighten me!

CHR15

jmarko wrote: »

i'm confused as to what difference it makes. my blog is hosted in Denmark but has a .co.uk domain. enlighten me!

People see the .co.uk and buy their UGG boots and GHD straighteners only to find out it is a Far Eastern based knock off website.

jmarko

CHR15 wrote: »

People see the .co.uk and buy their UGG boots and GHD straighteners only to find out it is a Far Eastern based knock off website.

surely that's a different issue. lots of .co.uk websites are hosted overseas partly because lots of big companies are based overseas - think the big electrical conglomerates - that's not a reason to dismiss websites just because they're hosted abroad imho.

CHR15

Agreed, but that was the point of the BBC article.

People are getting ripped off by overseas scammers. They see the .co.uk and think it must be legitimate.

Only after purchasing do they find out they have bought fake goods from the Far East

jmarko

fair enough!

faevilangel

A lot of companies are using .co.uk, but are not UK based...

Whenever I see a website that I want to buy from and not sure on it's validity, I check the domain info @ https://www.who.is .

This is a basic definition of everything displayed on the site.

Domain name:
amazon.co.uk

Registrant:
Amazon Europe Holding Technologies SCS

Registrant type:
Unknown <!-- should either be unknown or registered business... If it says individual, then walk away

Registrant's address:
65 boulevard G-D. Charlotte
Luxembourg City
Luxembourg
LU-1311
Luxembourg

Registrar:
Amazon.com [Tag = AMAZON-COM]

Relevant dates:
Registered on: before Aug-1996 <!-- age of domain shows a lot about the site
Renewal date: 05-Dec-2010
Last updated: 11-Oct-2008

Also Looking for the businesses address / phone number on the site would help (it's part of UK law to display it), and also Google the website name, it might show a few pages of why you should avoid them.

The best defense against being scammed, is being vigilant. Always look for the padlock on your browser when paying for goods, and do your own research. Make sure you're on the right site e.g. https://www.g00gle.com isn't google ... People will try and decieve anyone.

Also if the product is highly popular (like GHD's) then the manufacturers website may have a list of reputable suppliers of the product.

Saving £30 on the latest gizmo may make you happy, but you may lose your money, and be left open to them raiding your bank account, and identity theft may occur.

Be vigilant shopping online...

p.s. Some companies may host their site in another country for a few reasons,
1. It's cheaper (generally) than UK hosting
2. The companies HQ may be in that country

dogmaryxx

Use CallingID toolbar http://callingid.com/Default.aspx

Inactive

The UK Direct.gov website is hosted in Spain.:rotfl:

Bikertov

Inactive wrote: »

The UK Direct.gov website is hosted in Spain.:rotfl:

Could the last person to leave the country turn off the lights, please

-TangleFoot-

dogmaryxx wrote: »

Use CallingID toolbar http://callingid.com/Default.aspx

One of these would probably be better. Toolbars are a waste of space.