Netcraft has acquired FraudWatch and plans to deliver "high-quality, high-speed cybercrime detection and takedowns with even greater capabilities to new and existing customers," the companies announced.
Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
This is technology M&A deal number 253 that MSSP Alert and sister site ChannelE2E have covered so far in 2023.
Netcraft, founded in 1994, is based in Bath, England. The company has 176 employees listed on LinkedIn. Netcraft's areas of expertise include cybercrime detection and disruption.
FraudWatch, founded in 2003, is based in Melbourne, Australia. The company has 47 employees listed on LinkedIn. FraudWatch specializes in online brand protection.
What FraudWatch Brings to Netcraft
Netcraft customers will be able to use the company's global threat feeds and automated attack detection, disruption and takedown solutions with FraudWatch's managed online brand protection services, the businesses noted. That way, they can protect against phishing, fraud and cybercrime.
In addition, Netcraft will maintain its own API-based and commercial partnerships and FraudWatch's relationships with hosting providers, domain registrars and social media platforms through the business' security operations center (SOC), the companies said. This will help Netcraft enhance its support and services and accelerate its growth in North America and the Asia-Pacific region.
Netcraft Adds Funding, Appoints CEO
The FraudWatch acquisition comes after Netcraft in July 2023 raised over $100 million in funding from growth equity firm Spectrum Equity and named Ryan Woodley as its CEO.
Spectrum's funding supports Netcraft's strategic plans to expand globally, the business said. Meanwhile, Woodley brings decades of experience leading technology companies to Netcraft.
Prior to joining Netcraft, Woodley served as CEO of financial technology company Progressive Leasing where he helped the business boost its revenues from $220 million to $2.5 billion and go public. He also served as chief operating officer and chief financial officer at digital security certificate authority DigiCert, which roughly tripled in size during his tenure.
A Closer Look at Netcraft
Netcraft offers an automated digital risk protection platform that combines cyber threat detection, disruption and takedown services, the business said. It also provides mobile apps and browser extensions to protect users against phishing, cryptomining, card skimming and malicious JavaScript across different device types, browsers and email platforms.
Currently, Netcraft does not offer a partner program for MSSPs, MSPs and other technology providers. However, Netcraft has developed integrations with Splunk, Slack, Palo Alto Networks and Microsoft Azure Sentinel.
