Category: Domain Industry Jargon

Key DNS Record Types and Their Functions: Why You Should Care

The Domain Name System, or DNS, serves as the backbone of the internet, translating human-readable domain names into machine-friendly IP addresses. Within this system, DNS records act as the instructions that define how a domain is managed, where it points, and how it interacts with other systems. Among the myriad of DNS record types, three…

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The Differences Between URL Forwarding and URL Masking

URL forwarding and URL masking are two essential concepts in the domain industry, both serving as methods to redirect users from one web address to another. While they might appear similar at first glance, they function in distinct ways and are used for different purposes. Understanding the differences between these two techniques is critical for…

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Making Sense of the Role and Impact of ICANN Fees

ICANN fees are an integral yet often overlooked aspect of the domain name industry, representing the financial mechanism through which the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) sustains its operations and ensures the stability of the Domain Name System (DNS). These fees play a crucial role in funding ICANN’s mission to coordinate the…

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The Risks of Common DNS Attacks and Vulnerabilities

The Domain Name System (DNS) is an essential component of the internet, translating human-readable domain names into IP addresses that enable users to connect to websites and online services. Despite its critical role, DNS has inherent vulnerabilities that can be exploited by attackers to disrupt communications, redirect traffic, or steal sensitive data. Understanding the nature…

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Domain Selling Demystified: Registrar Locks in Domain Management

Registrar lock is a critical security feature in the domain name industry designed to protect domain owners from unauthorized transfers or changes to their domain settings. Often referred to as a transfer lock or domain lock, it is a status applied to a domain name at the registrar level that prevents it from being transferred…

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Domain Investing Prudence: Avoiding Reverse Domain Name Hijacking

Reverse domain name hijacking is a controversial and unethical practice within the domain industry, where a party attempts to gain control of a domain name by falsely claiming trademark rights and leveraging legal processes to wrest ownership from the rightful domain holder. Unlike traditional domain hijacking, where malicious actors use technical means to steal domain…

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Hype vs. Calculated Risks: gTLD Launch Phases Explained

The launch of a generic top-level domain (gTLD) is a carefully orchestrated process designed to ensure a fair and orderly rollout of new domain extensions. This process involves multiple phases, each serving a specific purpose to balance the needs of trademark holders, businesses, and the general public. Understanding these phases is crucial for anyone seeking…

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Creative Use (and Limitations) of Domain Hacks

Domain hacks represent one of the most innovative and creative ways to craft memorable, meaningful, and brandable web addresses. A domain hack is a clever technique that involves using the components of a domain name, including the name and its extension (top-level domain or TLD), to create a word, phrase, or expression. This unconventional use…

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Domain Grace Periods and the Lifecycle of an Expired Domain

The Domain Grace Period is a critical phase in the lifecycle of a domain name, offering a brief window for domain owners to recover their expired domain without permanently losing it. When a domain name reaches its expiration date, it does not immediately become available for public registration. Instead, it enters a series of carefully…

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Becoming a Registrar: The Accreditation Process in Plain Terms

The registrar accreditation process is a critical aspect of the domain name system (DNS), ensuring that entities entrusted with registering and managing domain names meet stringent standards of reliability, security, and compliance. Accredited registrars serve as the intermediaries between domain name registrants—businesses, organizations, and individuals—and the registries that manage top-level domains (TLDs) like .com, .org,…

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