Category: Domain Blocking and Seizures

Collateral Damage How Domain Blocking Affects Legitimate Sites

The internet is a vast and intricate ecosystem where domain names serve as the foundation for accessibility and communication. As governments, corporations, and cybersecurity agencies work to combat threats such as malware, piracy, fraud, and disinformation, domain blocking has become a widely used tactic to restrict access to harmful websites. While this strategy can be…

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The Chilling Effect of Aggressive Domain Seizure Policies

The ability of governments and law enforcement agencies to seize domain names has become an increasingly powerful tool in regulating the internet. Originally designed to combat cybercrime, intellectual property theft, and illegal trade, domain seizures have expanded into broader areas, often targeting websites that fall into gray zones of legality or political controversy. While some…

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Domain Seizures for National Security Where to Draw the Line

The intersection of national security and domain name governance has become a highly contested issue in the modern digital age. As the internet has evolved into a critical infrastructure for communication, commerce, and political discourse, governments have increasingly turned to domain seizures as a tool for protecting national interests. Whether in response to cyber threats,…

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Decentralized DNS Can Blockchain Counter Internet Censorship

The traditional Domain Name System, or DNS, has long served as the foundation of the internet, translating human-readable website addresses into numerical IP addresses that computers use to communicate. However, its centralized structure has made it a point of vulnerability, allowing governments, corporations, and malicious actors to exert control over access to information. Censorship, domain…

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Evaluating the Effectiveness of Domain Blacklist Databases

Domain blacklist databases have long been a key tool in the fight against cyber threats, helping security teams, internet service providers, and businesses block access to malicious websites. These databases maintain lists of domains associated with phishing, malware distribution, spam, and other cyber risks, allowing organizations to proactively prevent users from interacting with harmful online…

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Domain Seizures and the Future of Internet Law

The ability to seize domain names has become a powerful legal tool used by governments and law enforcement agencies around the world. Initially developed as a means to combat cybercrime, domain seizures have evolved into a mechanism for enforcing intellectual property laws, regulating online commerce, and even influencing geopolitical conflicts. As the internet continues to…

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Regional Variations in Domain Censorship Practices

The practice of domain censorship varies significantly across different regions, reflecting a complex interplay of political, legal, and technological factors. While some governments impose strict controls over online content to maintain political stability, enforce cultural norms, or protect national security, others adopt a more laissez-faire approach, prioritizing digital freedoms and open access to information. The…

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Shutting Down Pirate Sites Successes and Failures of Domain Seizures

The battle against online piracy has been a long and complex struggle involving governments, copyright holders, and law enforcement agencies. One of the most widely used tactics to combat piracy has been domain seizures, where authorities take control of website addresses that facilitate unauthorized distribution of copyrighted material. While domain takedowns have led to high-profile…

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Private vs Public Domain Blocking Differences and Implications

Domain blocking has become a widely used strategy for controlling access to online content, but the approach differs significantly depending on whether the blocking is implemented by public authorities or private entities. While governments enforce domain blocking for reasons such as national security, copyright enforcement, or content regulation, private organizations, including corporations, internet service providers,…

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DNS Redirection A Closer Look at Censorship by Redirection

DNS redirection is one of the most subtle yet effective methods of internet censorship, allowing governments, corporations, and internet service providers to control access to online content without outright blocking domains. Unlike traditional domain seizures or blacklisting, which make a website entirely inaccessible, DNS redirection manipulates the domain name resolution process to reroute users to…

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