New rules from ICANN

[wun]

For all those webmasters out there, this is something to pay attention to.
ICANN has put out a new policy that makes it quite easy for people to highjack your domain.
You can read the slashdot story here:
http://yro.slashdot.org/yro/04/11/10...?tid=95&tid=17

Originally Posted by Slashdot

Essentially, if someone tries to take your domain, and you don't answer within 5 days, they now assume you are okay with the transfer. Previously, the default answer was no, and you had to explicitly state your acceptance of the domain transfer. Owners of small domains, beware: no more computerless vacations that last more than 4 days at a time!

[edit]
added /. quote
[/edit]

[Alan Anderson]

[I'm putting my reply in both places because I don't know a better way to do it.]

This "rule change" is about transferring a domain you own from one registrar to another. It has nothing to do with transferring ownership of a domain. This is either a non-issue or a good thing, depending on how hard the "from" registrar made the process previously.

[wun]

Originally Posted by Alan Anderson

This "rule change" is about transferring a domain you own from one registrar to another. It has nothing to do with transferring ownership of a domain. This is either a non-issue or a good thing, depending on how hard the "from" registrar made the process previously.

Are you sure about that? I could have read it wrong, but I got the feeling you could also transfer ownership.

Originally Posted by Netcraft

This is a change from current procedure, in which a domain's ownership and nameservers remain unchanged if there is no response to a transfer request.

Either way, I dont like the idea that someone could mess around with my domains just because I miss an e-mail.

[Joe Ross]

As usual, slashdot is overdramatic and Alan is correct. Read this comment for what is really happening: http://yro.slashdot.org/comments.pl?...2&cid=10774545

[wun]

Originally Posted by Joe Ross

As usual, slashdot is overdramatic and Alan is correct. Read this comment for what is really happening: http://yro.slashdot.org/comments.pl?...2&cid=10774545

Ah, thank you for your clarification. I guess I need to brush up on my legalese.
I still dont like the idea that my domains can be thrown around with out my knowing thou...

[Alan Anderson]

Originally Posted by wun

I still dont like the idea that my domains can be thrown around with out my knowing thou...

They can't.

Transfer of a domain from one registrar to another must be initiated by the domain owner (i.e., you.) All that the "new rule" says is that the original registrar may not refuse to relinquish the domain to the new registrar simply because the owner didn't satisfy an arbitrary requirement on their part.

[Goobergunch]

Meh.

I just got the following e-mail from my registrar:

******************************************
Important Notice Regarding your Domain(s)
******************************************

Dear Valued Go Daddy Customer,

On November 12, 2004, ICANN, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, put in place its new transfer policy for all accredited domain name service providers.

The previous ICANN policy allowed us to deny requests to transfer your domain names to another registrar unless you explicitly confirmed to us your intent to transfer. The new ICANN policy removes that protection. When we receive a request to transfer your domain name to a new registrar, we will still attempt to contact you to confirm that you authorized the request. However, if you do not respond, or are not able to respond within 5 days, your domain name WILL be transferred.

Rest assured, IT IS UNLIKELY that this will happen. Your domains have NOT been transferred.

Nonetheless, with this change in mind, we are recommending that all Go Daddy domain customers visit GoDaddy.com and "lock" their domain name(s). Locking your domain(s) is free and prevents unauthorized changes to contacts and name servers. Most importantly, it prevents the domain name from being transferred to another registrar without your knowledge. You may lock or unlock your domain at any time by revisiting your account. It takes only a minute, and it WILL protect your domains.

To login and lock your domains, click here:
[redacted]

If you have multiple domains, we've made it easy: Just click the blue, "Lock All Domains" button, and the click "OK" to confirm.

After your changes have been submitted, there will be a short duration while your request is pending update. During this period, details of the domain(s) will be temporarily unavailable.

If you have any questions please email us at support[at]supportwebsite.com or call our customer support line at (480) 505-8899.

Again, this email is simply a notification of a change in ICANN policy. Your domains have NOT been transferred, and IT IS UNLIKELY that they will be. Locking your domains will assure that they won't.

To review the new ICANN transfer policy, please visit: http://www.icann.org/transfers/policy-12jul04.htm

Thank you for your attention.

Sincerely,
GoDaddy.com Domain Support