There’s an old adage that if something isn’t broke, you shouldn’t fix it.  Online reputation management (ORM) firms have been warning clients (and the general public) for years that this isn’t the case on the internet.  This week one ORM firm has provided proof of this fallacy.  “Brands Under Attack” is a powerful online reputation management case study that proves no one’s reputation is safe. It doesn’t matter if your business is squeaky clean, you can still be attacked.

Elixir Interactive has been targeted for over four months by someone engaging in a persist attack of their online reputation.  The case study carefully outlines the tactics used by this anonymous attacker and, in doing so, provides a wake up call to anyone with a web presence – which in 2010 is pretty much every company and every individual.  In Elixir’s case, they already had a strong presence in the search engine results for their branded terms.  However, this prolonged campaign has forced them to spend valuable resources and time to defend and strengthen their online assets.

The case study demonstrates how the current climate on the web makes it easy for anyone to threaten or even destroy your reputation.  It could be an unhappy client, a disgruntled employee, a psycho ex, or even a competitor who is jealous of your position.  And it’s not just companies that are at risk.  After revealing the first round of attacks, Elixir’s CEO, Fionn Downhill, was the target of a separate attack on her own brand.  There is a separate Elixir Interactive CEO Case Study that exposes the fraudulent actions engaged in by the anonymous attacker(s) against Fionn’s stellar reputation.

All it takes is false reports, properly crafted, on the right websites, and what would be considered slander if it were in a print publication, can easily cause untold damage to your reputation. And that can result in loss of clients, potential clients, speaking engagements, advertisers, etc.  Worse yet, you have little or no legal recourse on the web, because the justice system hasn’t caught up with the state of the internet.

There are steps you can take to protect yourself before something goes wrong.  Elixir’s case study offers tips to follow.  If you find yourself under attack, Elixir also provides recommendations on how to find a good ORM company to help you, if you can’t fix it yourself.

New Case Study Highlights Threats to Brand and Individual Reputations is a post from: Search Engine Reputation Management

Me and My Web Shadow”, a new book about personal online reputation management by iCrossing’s Antony Mayfield, senior vice president, social media, is available for purchase in the U.S. beginning this week.

‘Me and My Web Shadow’ Released in U.S. is a post from: Search Engine Reputation Management

While Social Media is definitely the hot topic of conversation this year, most of the tools focus on consumer centric business, and improving communication.

How To Use Linkedin To Generate Business is a post from: Search Engine Reputation Management

Virgin Gaming launches what it’s calling ?the planet?s richest competitive gaming experience for online gamers of all skill levels? today. It features reputation tracking, tournaments with pay-outs, and a host of tools for avid online console gamers.

E3 2010: Virgin Gaming Service Launched is a post from: Search Engine Reputation Management

Despite being in their reckless years, young adults are being far more vigilant about their online digital reputations than older generations, according to new data from Pew Research Center.

Pew: Youngsters monitor, manage their online reputation is a post from: Search Engine Reputation Management

News from every state

Across the USA News from every state is a post from: Search Engine Reputation Management

(1888PressRelease) These timely new reputation management tools and services are designed to help restore credibility and rebuild buyer confidence to prospect searchers looking for products and services online says President and CEO Robert Russo.

Defendmyname.com introduces new reputation management services to help remo is a post from: Search Engine Reputation Management

(1888PressRelease) These timely new reputation management tools and services are designed to help restore credibility and rebuild buyer confidence to prospect searchers looking for products and services online says President and CEO Robert Russo.

Defendmyname.com introduces new reputation management services to help remo is a post from: Search Engine Reputation Management

(1888PressRelease) These timely new reputation management tools and services are designed to help restore credibility and rebuild buyer confidence to prospect searchers looking for products and services online says President and CEO Robert Russo.

Defendmyname.com introduces new reputation management services to help is a post from: Search Engine Reputation Management

(1888PressRelease) These timely new reputation management tools and services are designed to help restore credibility and rebuild buyer confidence to prospect searchers looking for products and services online says President and CEO Robert Russo.

Defendmyname.com introduces new reputation management services to help is a post from: Search Engine Reputation Management