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NetSol Locks Domains, But Others Say Concerns Are Overblown
Network Solutions is among a number of domain registrars who have automatically locked down all domain names registered by its customers to prevent errant transfers under new ICANN guidelines on domain transfers, which take effect Friday.
But some domain providers say concerns about fraudulent transfers are overblown, noting that ICANN's guidelines still require registrars requesting a transfer from another provider to seek approvals. If all the new ICANN rules are followed, the domain owner should be required to approve any changes with the new registrar - but not their current registrar.
"Much of the fear regarding this change in policy stems from the assumption that a Gaining Registrar will be violating the policy and submitting requests that have not been properly validated," DynDNS notes in a message to customers. "It is our firm belief that no registrar is going to do that, as it would likely result in the termination of their accreditation by ICANN if performed on any significant scale."
Other registrars appear more concerned, and are advising customers to lock domains ahead of the new ICANN policy, which places stricter guidelines on how "losing" domain registrars handle transfer requests. Domain locking prevents changes in the registrar, contact information and nameservers for a domain, and is offered by most registrars.
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One change mandates that if a current registrar does not reject a transfer request within five days, the request is automatically approved. The rules state that losing registrars may not deny a transfer request simply because there has been no response from the domain contact. Acceptable grounds for denial include fraud, an ongoing domain name dispute, non-payment of past (not future) fees, or a "reasonable dispute" over the identity of an existing domain contact.
While many registrars, such as Go Daddy, are urging customers to lock their domains, Network Solutions opted to do it for them.
"We are concerned that this policy change puts your domain name at greater risk for being "slammed" (fraudulently transferred)," Network Solutions wrote in an message to customers in September. "To further enhance the security of the domain names you have registered with Network Solutions and to protect you against unauthorized or fraudulent transfers, we will activate our free Domain Protect service for all of your domain names beginning October 18, 2004."
PairNIC, the domain arm of hosting provider Pair Networks, also is putting all its domains on locked status.
Register.com is among the registrars that require written documentation before transferring a domain, including a valid photo ID or business letterhead. Register.com only contacts the domain owner after a completed form with documentation has been submitted and reviewed.
Domain owners can check whether their domain is locked by doing a WHOIS inquiry, which is available through most registrars as well as web services such as Whois Source, GeekTools, ZoneEdit or InterNIC. A locked domain will reflect its status as REGISTRAR-LOCK.
An unlocked domain will usually say "Status: ACTIVE." Contact your domain registrar for details of the locking options and process.
Source : http://news.netcraft.com/
