Lock your domains ?

[Whois-Search]

With Network Solutions sending out emails like this :

"Dear Valued Network Solutions Customer:

ICANN (the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) has changed the domain name transfer policy for all accredited domain name service providers. We are concerned that this policy change puts your domain name at greater risk for being "slammed" (fraudulently transferred). The prior policy allowed you to expressly approve a transfer request with your current domain name service provider before any transfer would occur. The new policy, however, eliminates this express approval safeguard, removing an additional protection against unauthorized transfer requests.

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.

Our Domain Protect feature blocks domain name transfers until you, or your designated contact, turn the feature "Off." This step allows you to control the "transferability" of your domain names, and provides protection against "domain hijackers."

If you have turned Domain Protect "Off" in the past, we will reactivate this feature by October 31, 2004. Domain Protect is quick and easy to manage through your Network Solutions account. Simply login and click on the domain name you want to change. On the Domain Details page, you can turn Domain Protect "On" or "Off."

If you have concerns about this transfer policy change, you can contact ICANN directly at icann@icann.org.

Sincerely,

Network Solutions Customer Support"

Should we make sure every name we own now has register lock on ?

[fryman04]

I read a similar post yesterday... first thing I did was run to GoDaddy and lock all my domains... you can never be too safe

[ParkQuick.com]

The prior policy allowed you to expressly approve a transfer request with your current domain name service provider before any transfer would occur. The new policy, however, eliminates this express approval safeguard, removing an additional protection against unauthorized transfer requests.

Can someone fill us in on what really changes? I'm not sure that I trust Network Solutions as the final authority on this. Their history suggests that they look out for their own interests above all.

[stevey]

i keep mine locked anyway, only takes a second to do when setting them up

[cursal]

Locked is there for a reason, why not use it?
I keep all of my domains locked. But have noticed in the past that when trying to transfer the name after unlocking it can take up 48 hour to allow the transfer.

[Domagon]

Wasn't aware the policy changed ... it's always been the case that registrar domain transfers automatically happen after 5 days if no action is taken.

Registrar-Lock has been an important security step since the beginning of the SRS ... it's not surprising that Network Solutions (own by another company these days) is a bit late to the game.

Ron

Addendum: ok, I just saw the ICANN policy change ... what I wrote above is still correct.

The main change is that "losing" registrars may no longer automatically refuse transfer-outs; must allow unless the domain is in registar-locked status, not paid, in dispute, etc.

Ron

[Bashar]

so any domain will be transferred out if the domain is not locked without the ability to deny the transfer?!

[mole]

You'ld be crazy not to lock your domains with the new ICANN auto-transfer policy. Sure, you will be notified on your (working) registrant email that a transfer has been initiated but if you don't KNACK it because you were on holiday or didn't log on to your email, bye bye domain. Netsol still uses the dinasour thin registry to manage the .COM and .NET namespace. Reason, they have no money to upgrade.

[Adam Dicker]

I lock all mine and only unlock just before a transfer.

-=DCG=-

[bidawinner]

I lock all mine and only unlock just before a transfer.

-=DCG=-

You know I was thinking of this the other day.. I am just waiting for the script that swipes names as they are unlocked.. Almost 2 easy..everyone knows a name has been sold..script hits for the next 24 hours waiting for that magical moment of "unlock" ..

You just know these thieves are already working on something like that..

[websitedeveloper]

why is there this new transfer policy? who benefits and how?

[Dave Zan]

why is there this new transfer policy? who benefits and how?

Here's your first answer: http://icann.org/transfers/index.html.

The second answer is this is supposed to benefit the domain name owners by
actually not requiring them to even receive the authorization email asking for
confirmation of transfer.

The third answer is all they have to do is file the request with their new
registrar, confirm it, have the new registrar notify your losing one about it,
then do nothing else and wait for it to push thru.

Bashar, you can still deny it. Trouble is, you have to get that authorization
email first. Otherwise, you're a dead duck.

And that's where the domain lock kicks in. At times like these you'll just have
to thank God for small mercies...

[websitedeveloper]

Thank you!