Sinkholing

Definition
Sinkholing is a technique used by the Internet security community for usurping control of a malicious server from a cybercriminal's control. By removing control of a domain name associated with a particular threat, security vendors are able to intercept traffic that was destined for the criminal's server and direct it to a server the security organization controls.

Source

 * Gunter Ollmann, "Sinkholing For Profit" (Oct. 24, 2011) (full-text).