*************************************************** The domain name news is supported by auDA *************************************************** WEBINAR: WHOIS Accuracy Reporting System Phase 2 Report < <https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2016-01-06-en> https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2016-01-06-en> .SWISS General Availability Commences 11 January < <http://www.domainpulse.com/2016/01/06/swiss-general-availability-commences- 11-january/> http://www.domainpulse.com/2016/01/06/swiss-general-availability-commences-1 1-january/> Christmas Comes For New gTLDs As Total Registrations Pass 11 Million < <http://www.domainpulse.com/2015/12/27/christmas-comes-for-new-gtlds/> http://www.domainpulse.com/2015/12/27/christmas-comes-for-new-gtlds/> Expert roundup: What?s next for the new TLDs in 2016? < <http://blog.europeandomaincentre.com/expert-roundup-whats-next-for-the-new- tlds-in-2016/> http://blog.europeandomaincentre.com/expert-roundup-whats-next-for-the-new-t lds-in-2016/> Rights protection mechanisms for new internet layer outlined, but could more have been done? < <http://www.worldtrademarkreview.com/blog/Detail.aspx?g=7670cb6a-5c4c-4b25-a 0d6-8be489a797d0> http://www.worldtrademarkreview.com/blog/Detail.aspx?g=7670cb6a-5c4c-4b25-a0 d6-8be489a797d0> Associations Offer Innovative Benefits To Consumers, Members Through New gTLD Program < <http://blog.fairwindspartners.com/gtld-usage/associations-offer-innovative- benefits-to-consumers-members-through-new-gtld-program> http://blog.fairwindspartners.com/gtld-usage/associations-offer-innovative-b enefits-to-consumers-members-through-new-gtld-program> Pirate Bay is Back to Square One After Months of Domain Hopping < <https://torrentfreak.com/pirate-bay-is-back-to-square-one-after-months-of-d omain-hopping-151231/> https://torrentfreak.com/pirate-bay-is-back-to-square-one-after-months-of-do main-hopping-151231/> IPv6 celebrates its 20th birthday by reaching 10 percent deployment < <http://arstechnica.com/business/2016/01/ipv6-celebrates-its-20th-birthday-b y-reaching-10-percent-deployment/> http://arstechnica.com/business/2016/01/ipv6-celebrates-its-20th-birthday-by -reaching-10-percent-deployment/> Are TLDs Property? < <https://www.lawfareblog.com/are-top-level-domains-property> https://www.lawfareblog.com/are-top-level-domains-property> ********************** GOVERNANCE ********************** Why WSIS+10 Matters to the Future of the Internet by Charles H. Rivkin, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs As more and more people use and rely on the Internet around the globe, one of the key questions is how it should be governed - and who should set the rules. Now, the question of Internet governance might not keep everyone up at night, but the answer affects all of us, which is why a U.S. State Department-led team was up negotiating this issue at three in the morning at a critical United Nations meeting earlier this month. < <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/charles-h-rivkin/why-wsis10-matters-to-the_b_ 8869154.html> http://www.huffingtonpost.com/charles-h-rivkin/why-wsis10-matters-to-the_b_8 869154.html> Meet discusses latest trends in internet governance Neutral treatment of all content on the Internet is an essential pre-requisite for fostering ?permission-less innovation? which is one of the guiding principles of the Internet, said Satish Babu, Chair of the Internet Society-Trivandrum Chapter, and Vice Chair of the Asia-Pacific Regional At-Large Organisation of ICANN. < <http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/meet-discusses-l atest-trends-in-internet-governance/article8047681.ece> http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/meet-discusses-la test-trends-in-internet-governance/article8047681.ece> The Wuzhen Compradors by Milton Mueller The World Internet Conference is China?s attempt to assert itself as a leader in global Internet governance. Held in the lovely, historically preserved town of Wuzhen, there have now been two annual events; the latest just concluded December 18. The conference could be seen as just another Chinese business networking event, full of empty speeches and suited men trying to forge connections and ingratiate themselves to the gatekeepers of the China market. Yet WIC has become another source of ICANN controversy. < <http://www.internetgovernance.org/2015/12/29/the-chinese-netmundial-initiat ive/> http://www.internetgovernance.org/2015/12/29/the-chinese-netmundial-initiati ve/> Toward WSIS 3.0: Adopting Next-Gen Governance Solutions for Tomorrow's Information Society by Stefaan Verhulst For the WSIS community to be effective in meeting its ambitious goals adopted in December 2015, it will have to become more evidence-based and innovative. At the beginning of the new millennium -- before the arrival of Facebook and Twitter -- Kofi Annan, then Secretary General of the United Nations, called for the creation of an inclusive "information society" -- "one in which human capacity is expanded, built up, nourished and liberated, by giving people access to the tools and technologies they need, with the education and training to use them effectively." < <http://www.circleid.com/posts/20160104_toward_wsis_3_adopting_next_gen_gove rnance_solutions/> http://www.circleid.com/posts/20160104_toward_wsis_3_adopting_next_gen_gover nance_solutions/> ********************** ICANN ********************** Request for Proposal for the Independent Review of the At-Large Community ICANN is seeking a provider to conduct an independent review of the At-Large Community ("At-Large"), as mandated by ICANN's Bylaws. The At-Large serves an important function ? it represents the community of individual Internet users who participate in the policy development work of ICANN. < <https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2016-01-05-en> https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2016-01-05-en> Call for Volunteers: New GNSO Policy Development Process Working Group to Establish a Policy Framework for a Next-Generation gTLD Registration Directory Service to Replace WHOIS (Next-Gen RDS) The GNSO Council seeks volunteers to serve on a PDP Working Group to establish a policy framework for a next-generation gTLD Registration Directory Service to replace WHOIS (Next-Gen RDS). < <https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2016-01-04-en> https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2016-01-04-en> GAC Input into the CCWG-Accountability Public Comment Period on its 3rd Draft Proposal of 30 November 2015 The GAC recognizes the important efforts of the CCWG members and participants and has preliminarily considered the recommendations contained in the CCWG-Accountability 3rd Draft Proposal, but is not in a position to give an indication of its position as a Chartering Organisation at this stage. < <https://gacweb.icann.org/display/gacweb/Governmental+Advisory+Committee?pre view=/27132037/41091522/GAC%20Public%20Comment%20CCWG-ACC21Dec15.pdf> https://gacweb.icann.org/display/gacweb/Governmental+Advisory+Committee?prev iew=/27132037/41091522/GAC Public Comment CCWG-ACC21Dec15.pdf> WEBINAR: WHOIS Accuracy Reporting System Phase 2 Report ICANN published the WHOIS Accuracy Reporting System Phase 2 report on 23 December 2015. This webinar, scheduled for 12 January 2016, will focus on the findings of the report and its implications for the community. < <https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2016-01-06-en> https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2016-01-06-en> < <http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/announcements-and-media/announcement-06jan16-e n> http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/announcements-and-media/announcement-06jan16-en > ICANN: A Year in Review and a Look Ahead 2015 was a year that ICANN and its community were immersed in the work necessary to execute the impending IANA Stewardship transition and the accountability reforms it necessitated. However, there were a number of additional developments and progress made on a variety of topics. Here are five notable developments from 2015 and a look at what?s ahead for the new year. < <http://blog.fairwindspartners.com/internet-governance-and-policy/looking-ba ck-on-icann-in-2015> http://blog.fairwindspartners.com/internet-governance-and-policy/looking-bac k-on-icann-in-2015> ICANN TURNING FROM TRANSITION PLANNING TO OTHER POLICY ISSUES IN 2016 If unlawful activity ? such as copyright infringement ? is occurring on a Web site, what?s an Internet domain name registrar to do? Figuring out an answer to that question tops the list of stuff the ICANN is expected to tackle in the new year. < <http://www.bna.com/icann-turning-transition-b57982065813/> http://www.bna.com/icann-turning-transition-b57982065813/> CENTR supports 3rd draft proposal on ICANN Accountability improvements CENTR, the association for exchange, dialogue and innovation of country code domain registries in Europe has published the following comment: < <https://centr.org/news/icann/12-22-2015/4627/centr-supports-3rd-draft-propo sal-icann-accountability-improvements> https://centr.org/news/icann/12-22-2015/4627/centr-supports-3rd-draft-propos al-icann-accountability-improvements> ********************** ccTLD & gTLD NEWS ********************** .at-report: The .at year 2015 We still wonder, what happened to 2015! As Christmas is just around the corner we thing it's a good time to look back and reflect on what we succeeded in doing. A glance into our project plans and calendars shows: There has been a lot going on! < <https://www.nic.at/en/aboutnic/current-issues/nicat-news/news-view/article/ at-report-jahresrueckblick-2015/?cHash=769756cc84c46ace14a6ddef6caf4d89> https://www.nic.at/en/aboutnic/current-issues/nicat-news/news-view/article// at-report-jahresrueckblick-2015/?cHash=769756cc84c46ace14a6ddef6caf4d89> New .BET Domain Sunrise Period Begins Today Afilias, a leading domain registry operator announces that the Sunrise Period for the new ?dot BET? or .BET TLD is now open for eligible trademark holders only. < <http://www.afilias.info/news/2016/01/05/new-bet-domain-sunrise-period-begin s-today> http://www.afilias.info/news/2016/01/05/new-bet-domain-sunrise-period-begins -today> < <http://get.bet/newsroom/press-release/new-bet-domain-sunrise-period-begins- today> http://get.bet/newsroom/press-release/new-bet-domain-sunrise-period-begins-t oday> ca: Web Hosting Canada adds expanded cybersecurity protection to its small business web hosting solutions Web Hosting Canada has selected the .CA D-Zone Anycast DNS from the Canadian Internet Registration Authority to deliver a Canadian-first DNS service for small businesses. < <https://cira.ca/news/web-hosting-canada-adds-expanded-cybersecurity-protect ion-its-small-business-web-hosting> https://cira.ca/news/web-hosting-canada-adds-expanded-cybersecurity-protecti on-its-small-business-web-hosting> Price of .ee domain will be reduced to 7 euros from 1 January 2016 An .ee domain can be registered for one, two or three years. The domain name registration fee in 2016 will be 7, 14 or 21 euros depending on the length of the registration period. < <http://www.internet.ee/news/price-of-ee-domain-will-be-reduced-to-7-euros-f rom-1-january-2016> http://www.internet.ee/news/price-of-ee-domain-will-be-reduced-to-7-euros-fr om-1-january-2016> .eu and EURid well coping with challenges, EC bi-yearly report states The EC 2015 report to the European Parliament and the Council on the implementation, functioning and effectiveness of the .eu TLD was published by the EC on 18 December 2015, COM (2015) 680 final. < <http://www.eurid.eu/en/news/dec-2015/eu-and-eurid-well-coping-challenges-ec -bi-yearly-report-states> http://www.eurid.eu/en/news/dec-2015/eu-and-eurid-well-coping-challenges-ec- bi-yearly-report-states> Rights-holders: how to protect your rights under the .fr TLD Afnic has published a practical guide for rights-holders, the first in its new collection of practical guides. < <http://www.afnic.fr/en/about-afnic/news/general-news/9544/show/rights-holde rs-how-to-protect-your-rights-under-the-fr-tld-1.html> http://www.afnic.fr/en/about-afnic/news/general-news/9544/show/rights-holder s-how-to-protect-your-rights-under-the-fr-tld-1.html> ru: Number of violator domains cut to one-fourth in November In November 2015, accredited registrars received 102 requests to terminate the delegation of domain names from the Group-IB cybersecurity company, one-fourth of October?s level. < <http://cctld.ru/en/news/news_detail.php?ID=9200> http://cctld.ru/en/news/news_detail.php?ID=9200> .SWISS General Availability Commences 11 January General Availability for the .swiss gTLD will commence on 11 January, but domains will still only be available for applicants that have a registered office and actual administrative site in Switzerland as well as a clear connection with the requested domain. < <http://www.domainpulse.com/2016/01/06/swiss-general-availability-commences- 11-january/> http://www.domainpulse.com/2016/01/06/swiss-general-availability-commences-1 1-january/> .swiss internet addresses: generalised opening The 11 January launch of the second phase of registration of .swiss internet addresses extends the range of possible domain names and potential candidates. It also opens up the possibility for umbrella organisations or sector representatives to submit a dossier in order to obtain a generic address, such as hotel.swiss or watch.swiss, which will then be put at the disposal of the sector as a whole. The first phase has already enabled some 7000 .swiss internet addresses to be assigned. < <http://www.bakom.admin.ch/dokumentation/medieninformationen/00471/index.htm l?lang=en&msg-id=60189> http://www.bakom.admin.ch/dokumentation/medieninformationen/00471/index.html ?lang=en&msg-id=60189> VN sees more than 31,500 cyber attacks in 2015 Viet Nam suffered more than 31,500 cyber attacks in the past year, according to the Viet Nam Computer Emergency Response Team (VNCert). < <http://vietnamnews.vn/economy/280409/vn-sees-more-than-31500-cyber-attacks- in-2015.html> http://vietnamnews.vn/economy/280409/vn-sees-more-than-31500-cyber-attacks-i n-2015.html> ********************** NEW TLDS ********************** Christmas Comes For New gTLDs As Total Registrations Pass 11 Million On 23 December, the number of domain names registered across all delegated new gTLDs passed the 11 million mark, according to nTLDstats.com, out of a total of just over 300 million domains registered across all TLDs. < <http://www.domainpulse.com/2015/12/27/christmas-comes-for-new-gtlds/> http://www.domainpulse.com/2015/12/27/christmas-comes-for-new-gtlds/> Expert roundup: What?s next for the new TLDs in 2016? Looking back at 2015 it was an exciting year for the new TLDs such as .club, .link and .london. We reached 11M domain registrations, hundreds of new TLDs were released, celebrities and businesses adopted these new web addresses and the aftermarket sales increased. < <http://blog.europeandomaincentre.com/expert-roundup-whats-next-for-the-new- tlds-in-2016/> http://blog.europeandomaincentre.com/expert-roundup-whats-next-for-the-new-t lds-in-2016/> Councillor hopes to make Toronto the master of its own domain name There are 176 reasons Toronto will never own the ?.to? domain name. One for each island that makes up the Polynesian kingdom of Tonga, the rightful owner of the domain in which a city councillor hoped Toronto could plant its virtual flag. < <http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/01/04/city-councillor-wants-torontos-v ery-own-domain-name.html> http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/01/04/city-councillor-wants-torontos-ve ry-own-domain-name.html> < <http://www.metronews.ca/news/toronto/2016/01/04/city-councillor-wants-toron to-domain-name-.html> http://www.metronews.ca/news/toronto/2016/01/04/city-councillor-wants-toront o-domain-name-.html> Rights protection mechanisms for new internet layer outlined, but could more have been done? OP3FT, the non-profit organisation whose purpose is to hold, promote and protect the new Frogans layer of the internet, has expanded on the rights protection mechanisms being made available to trademark owners. However, a leading commentator has expressed disappointment at the conservative approach it has taken towards intellectual property protection. < <http://www.worldtrademarkreview.com/blog/Detail.aspx?g=7670cb6a-5c4c-4b25-a 0d6-8be489a797d0> http://www.worldtrademarkreview.com/blog/Detail.aspx?g=7670cb6a-5c4c-4b25-a0 d6-8be489a797d0> Associations Offer Innovative Benefits To Consumers, Members Through New gTLD Program There?s little question that the Internet has profoundly changed the way that brands do business and the way that associations relate to their members. But while the impact of the Internet on the businesses has been largely positive ? giving companies the ability to drive growth and brand awareness through ecommerce, social media, and paid search advertising ? the impact on associations has been, until more recently, less overwhelmingly beneficial. < <http://blog.fairwindspartners.com/gtld-usage/associations-offer-innovative- benefits-to-consumers-members-through-new-gtld-program> http://blog.fairwindspartners.com/gtld-usage/associations-offer-innovative-b enefits-to-consumers-members-through-new-gtld-program> Will your dot brand help your SEO ranking? Dot brand sites have the potential to be better ranked than other TLDs, but it will actually be the brands? responsibility to make it happen. < <http://www.digitalbrandinsider.com/will-your-dot-brand-help-your-seo-rankin g/> http://www.digitalbrandinsider.com/will-your-dot-brand-help-your-seo-ranking /> How .MUSIC Will Go Mainstream and Benefit ICANN's New gTLD Program by Constantine Roussos Since the launch of the New gTLD Program in 2012, it has become evident that new gTLD registries overestimated the demand for new TLD name extensions. Furthermore, new gTLD registries did not anticipate the hurdles in raising awareness, not to mention creating adoption for new domains. Even the most pessimistic New gTLD Program critic did not expect such uninspiring results. It was a wake up call for many in the domain industry. The New gTLD Program currently lacks credibility. No new gTLD has yet to go mainstream and capture the world's imagination. < <http://www.circleid.com/posts/20161206_how_dot_music_will_go_mainstream_and _benefit_new_gtld_program/> http://www.circleid.com/posts/20161206_how_dot_music_will_go_mainstream_and_ benefit_new_gtld_program/> Barclays Banks on Not-Coms As we approach the two-year anniversary of not-com availability, the signs of widespread new gTLD adoption continue to become more visible. New gTLD registrations recently surged past 10 million and each week more and more big brands are embracing not-com naming options. < <http://www.donuts.domains/donuts-media/blog/barclays-banks-on-not-coms> http://www.donuts.domains/donuts-media/blog/barclays-banks-on-not-coms> Not-Coms End the Year on a High The ?not-com? movement has made it to prime time. Hundreds of new domain name extensions?the part to the right of the dot?are available to the general public, with hundreds more on the way. < <http://www.donuts.domains/donuts-media/blog/not-coms-end-the-year-on-a-high > http://www.donuts.domains/donuts-media/blog/not-coms-end-the-year-on-a-high> Premium TLDs, Real Value for Money by St?phane Van Gelder There is an intrinsic value proposition to new gTLDs. They mean to give users fresh naming possibilities and provide more meaningful Internet addresses. And to do so at much reduced prices. Reduced prices? Really? This is where eyebrows start being raised. How so? Well before the advent of new gTLDs, few suffixes offered any real ability to differentiate. Users thus looked to the second level, not the top level, for a way to get their web addresses to stand out from the crowd. So began a vicious circle of value going to the limited number of meaningful second level names since at TLD level, the only string with any real equity was .COM. < <http://www.circleid.com/posts/20160105_premium_tlds_real_value_for_money/> http://www.circleid.com/posts/20160105_premium_tlds_real_value_for_money/> Baidu, China?s Google, gets its dot-brand gTLD Chinese web giant Baidu had its dot-brand gTLD, .baidu, go live in the DNS root zone today. < <http://domainincite.com/19751-baidu-chinas-google-gets-its-dot-brand-gtld> http://domainincite.com/19751-baidu-chinas-google-gets-its-dot-brand-gtld> Year End 2015 Update - gTLD Sunrise Periods Now Open New gTLDs have launched their "Sunrise" registration periods. As of the date of this newsletter, Sunrise periods are open for the following new gTLDs: < <http://www.natlawreview.com/article/year-end-2015-update-gtld-sunrise-perio ds-now-open> http://www.natlawreview.com/article/year-end-2015-update-gtld-sunrise-period s-now-open> The Uniform Rapid Suspension System ? ICANN?s fast-track domain name complaints procedure ICANN?s URS seeks to offer trademark holders a quick and cost-effective way of tackling infringing domain names. The URS is designed to sit alongside the existing UDRP system, as a quicker, cheaper alternative to the UDRP. However, the high burden of proof in the URS and the limited extent of its jurisdiction mean that the UDRP will continue to be the appropriate forum in many cases. < <http://sites.edechert.com/10/6058/december-2015/urs---icann-s-fast-track-do main-name-complaints-procedure(1).asp> http://sites.edechert.com/10/6058/december-2015/urs---icann-s-fast-track-dom ain-name-complaints-procedure(1).asp> < <http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=37828cf6-9137-4bfb-8958-886b3 a815a54> http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=37828cf6-9137-4bfb-8958-886b3a 815a54> 2015 in Review: New TLDs New TLDs came out with a whimper in 2014, with plenty of birth pangs. < <http://domainnamewire.com/2015/12/29/2015-in-review-new-tlds/> http://domainnamewire.com/2015/12/29/2015-in-review-new-tlds/> ********************** DNS SECURITY ********************** Best 6 free DNS services 2016 ? boost Internet performance and security Ditching the default DNS service can boost performance, reliability and security. Here are the options < <http://www.computerworlduk.com/security/best-6-free-dns-services-2016-boost -internet-performance-security-3632790/> http://www.computerworlduk.com/security/best-6-free-dns-services-2016-boost- internet-performance-security-3632790/> OpenDNSSEC doesn't want you to ... ride into the danger zone A new version of OpenDNSSEC ? an open-source implementation of DNSSEC ? is hoping to plug a problem it is happy to have: increased use. < <http://www.theregister.co.uk/2016/01/04/opendnssec_catches_up_with_expandin g_use/> http://www.theregister.co.uk/2016/01/04/opendnssec_catches_up_with_expanding _use/> Microsoft to start notifying victims of 'state sponsored' hacking Microsoft has announced that it will start notifying users it believes have been targeted by government-linked hackers, after failing to do so when Chinese authorities allegedly compromised over 1,000 Hotmail accounts. < <http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/dec/31/microsoft-will-tell-you-i f-youre-hacked-into-by-a-government-after-failing-to-do-so> http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/dec/31/microsoft-will-tell-you-if -youre-hacked-into-by-a-government-after-failing-to-do-so> BBC Websites Said to Be Target of Online Attack The British Broadcasting Corporation said on Thursday that its digital services had been shut down temporarily in what its news operation described as a hacking attack. < <http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/01/business/media/bbc-websites-said-to-be-ta rget-of-online-attack.html> http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/01/business/media/bbc-websites-said-to-be-tar get-of-online-attack.html> Anti-Isis hackers claim responsibility for BBC cyber-attack [Press Association] Activists who say their goal is to disrupt online propaganda by Islamic State have claimed responsibility for a cyber-attack on the BBC website. < <http://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/jan/02/bbc-cyber-attack-anti-isis-hac kers-claim-responsibility> http://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/jan/02/bbc-cyber-attack-anti-isis-hack ers-claim-responsibility> BBC websites back to normal, DDoS mitigation reverted The BBC's websites are now back to normal, four days after being taken down by an effective DDoS attack on New Year's Eve. < <http://news.netcraft.com/archives/2016/01/05/bbc-websites-back-to-normal-dd os-mitigation-reverted.html> http://news.netcraft.com/archives/2016/01/05/bbc-websites-back-to-normal-ddo s-mitigation-reverted.html> Group Claiming to Oppose ISIS Says It Committed Cyberattack on BBC [Reuters] A group of computer hackers who say they want to disrupt the online activities of the Islamic State have claimed that they were behind a recent cyberattack on the British Broadcasting Corporation. They said the attack was intended as a test of their capabilities, according to messages sent to a BBC reporter Saturday. < <http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/03/world/europe/group-claiming-to-oppose-isi s-says-it-committed-cyberattack-on-bbc.html> http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/03/world/europe/group-claiming-to-oppose-isis -says-it-committed-cyberattack-on-bbc.html> Call for applications for the EC3 Advisory Boards In 2013 the Programme Board of Europol's European Cybercrime Centre (EC3) identified the need for establishing Advisory Groups to provide guidance to EC3. In 2013, Advisory Groups were established in the areas of Financial Services and Internet Security. < <https://www.europol.europa.eu/latest_news/call-applications-ec3-advisory-bo ards-0> https://www.europol.europa.eu/latest_news/call-applications-ec3-advisory-boa rds-0> Expect Phishers to Up Their Game in 2016 Expect phishers and other password thieves to up their game in 2016: Both Google and Yahoo! are taking steps to kill off the password as we know it. < <http://krebsonsecurity.com/2015/12/expect-phishers-to-up-their-game-in-2016 /> http://krebsonsecurity.com/2015/12/expect-phishers-to-up-their-game-in-2016/ > Phishing Messages Deliver Chaos to Consumers this Christmas Delivery notifications could dampen the festive mood this holiday as cybercriminals exploit users? online shopping sprees with phishing messages masquerading as genuine emails from big name delivery brands. Research from Kaspersky Lab finds that DHL and FedEx users are being heavily targeted by scammers during the holiday period. < <http://www.kaspersky.com/about/news/spam/2015/Phishing-Messages-Deliver-Cha os-to-Consumers-this-Christmas> http://www.kaspersky.com/about/news/spam/2015/Phishing-Messages-Deliver-Chao s-to-Consumers-this-Christmas> Security experts urge websites and apps to adhere to new security standards to prevent 'mini-Y2K' Websites and apps have been given the deadline of January 1, 2017 to adhere to new security standards to minimise the risk of hacking and prevent a "mini-Y2K", or have access to their websites taken away. < <http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-04/new-security-standards-for-online/706 6428> http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-04/new-security-standards-for-online/7066 428> au: Oxford University tackles cyber crime from Melbourne [The Times - subscription] The University of Oxford has stepped up its fight against global cyber hackers after establishing its first foothold overseas in Melbourne. < <http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/the-times/oxford-university-tack les-cyber-crime-from-melbourne/news-story/33568e0531a0ebd12c4c20c910c7d82d> http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/the-times/oxford-university-tackl es-cyber-crime-from-melbourne/news-story/33568e0531a0ebd12c4c20c910c7d82d> ********************** DOMAIN DISPUTES & SEIZURES ********************** 5 Years and $7 Later, U.S. Returns a Seized Hip-Hop Site In the early hours of Thanksgiving Day in 2010, all the music at OnSmash.com, a popular hip-hop blog, disappeared. In place of its usual feed of videos, song links and industry gossip, the site displayed a seizure notice from the federal government, a result of a raid of dozens of websites suspected of trafficking in counterfeit goods and pirated content. < <http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/02/business/media/5-years-and-7-later-us-ret urns-a-seized-hip-hop-site.html> http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/02/business/media/5-years-and-7-later-us-retu rns-a-seized-hip-hop-site.html> Pirate Bay is Back to Square One After Months of Domain Hopping This week The Pirate Bay lost use of several of its 'hydra' domain names that millions of people have become accustomed to over the past year. The great irony here is that the site is now back to using its original domains which have worked perfectly all along. In fact, it was only fear of losing these domains that caused the hopping in the first place. < <https://torrentfreak.com/pirate-bay-is-back-to-square-one-after-months-of-d omain-hopping-151231/> https://torrentfreak.com/pirate-bay-is-back-to-square-one-after-months-of-do main-hopping-151231/> Registrar Shuts Down Pirate Bay Domain Names The Pirate Bay lost all of its active "Hydra" domain names this morning. ThePirateBay.LA, .GD, .MN and .VG were suspended by their registrar, alongside several other TPB related domains. The domain troubles make the site hard to reach through the usual channels, but The Pirate Bay still has some backups in reserve. < <https://torrentfreak.com/registrar-shuts-down-pirate-bay-domain-names-15122 8/> https://torrentfreak.com/registrar-shuts-down-pirate-bay-domain-names-151228 /> UDRP complainant fails to recover domain name consisting of her personal name [registration] In a recent decision under the UDRP before the WIPO, a panel has denied the transfer of a domain name consisting of a personal name for failure to prove common law or unregistered trademark rights in the name. < <http://www.worldtrademarkreview.com/daily/detail.aspx?g=908dd4ee-2cd8-46d0- bfc6-645c9f999a34> http://www.worldtrademarkreview.com/daily/detail.aspx?g=908dd4ee-2cd8-46d0-b fc6-645c9f999a34> EFF obtains transfer of domain name used for cyber attack under UDRP [registration] In a recent decision under the UDRP before the WIPO, a panel has ordered the transfer of a domain name used to facilitate the dissemination of malware. < <http://www.worldtrademarkreview.com/daily/detail.aspx?g=5f6d9d46-fd16-4174- afe1-91cde9fc56c4> http://www.worldtrademarkreview.com/daily/detail.aspx?g=5f6d9d46-fd16-4174-a fe1-91cde9fc56c4> I?ll pay $500k for your domain name. Psych! Here?s a UDRP. Plug ?buy followers? into Google and you?ll get 624,000 results. In a rush to look important online, companies spend lots of money buying low-quality social media followers. < <http://domainnamewire.com/2016/01/05/ill-pay-500k-for-your-domain-name-psyc h-heres-a-udrp/> http://domainnamewire.com/2016/01/05/ill-pay-500k-for-your-domain-name-psych -heres-a-udrp/> Screen capture of website to which disputed domain names were pointing insufficient to establish bad faith [registration] In a recent decision under the UDRP before the WIPO, a panel has denied the transfer of two domain names because the complainant had failed to provide sufficient probative evidence to establish bad-faith registration and use of the disputed domain names. < <http://www.worldtrademarkreview.com/daily/detail.aspx?g=b1d10ded-8939-420e- 8553-01af2b5706d2> http://www.worldtrademarkreview.com/daily/detail.aspx?g=b1d10ded-8939-420e-8 553-01af2b5706d2> au: Questionmark Computing Limited v. Question Mark Solutions Pty Ltd - Case No. DAU2015-0038 1. The Parties: The Complainant is Questionmark Computing Limited of London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (?United Kingdom?), internally represented. The Respondent is Question Mark Solutions Pty Ltd of Albion, Queensland, Australia, internally represented. 2. The Domain Name and Registrar: The disputed domain name <questionmark.com.au> is registered with NetRegistryPty Ltd. (the ?Registrar?). < <http://www.wipo.int/amc/en/domains/search/text.jsp?case=DAU2015-0038> http://www.wipo.int/amc/en/domains/search/text.jsp?case=DAU2015-0038> ********************** IPv4/IPv6 ********************** Net reaches new addressing scheme milestone Efforts to convert net users to a new addressing scheme have hit a key milestone. The novel scheme is needed to help the net support more users and many more smart devices and gadgets. Now more than 10% of net users are visiting websites using the new system, statistics suggest. < <http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-35221689> http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-35221689> IPv6 celebrates its 20th birthday by reaching 10 percent deployment Twenty years ago this month, RFC 1883 was published: IPv6 Specification. So what's an Internet Protocol, and what's wrong with the previous five versions? And if version 6 is so great, why has it only been adopted by half a percent of the Internet's users each year over the past two decades? < <http://arstechnica.com/business/2016/01/ipv6-celebrates-its-20th-birthday-b y-reaching-10-percent-deployment/> http://arstechnica.com/business/2016/01/ipv6-celebrates-its-20th-birthday-by -reaching-10-percent-deployment/> IPv6 Adoption Grows to 10 Percent as Internet Protocol Turns 20 As the IPv6 protocol celebrates its 20th birthday this month, new statistics from Google indicate that IPv6 adoption among its users has surpassed 10 percent. < <http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/ipv6-adoption-grows-to-10-percent-a s-internet-protocol-turns-20> http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/ipv6-adoption-grows-to-10-percent-as -internet-protocol-turns-20> Global IPv6 Deployment Now Passes 10%! by Dan York Global IPv6 deployment just passed a major milestone over the past few days when Google's IPv6 adoption statistics showed over 10% of users connecting to Google's sites coming in over IPv6. Considering that only two years ago I wrote here on CircleID about IPv6 passing the 3% adoption mark, this is a great amount of growth to see! If you look on the "per-country" tab of Google's stats you will see that in some countries deployment is much higher. For example, around 25% in the USA, Portugal and Germany, 31% in Switzerland and 44% in Belgium. < <http://www.circleid.com/posts/20160104_global_ipv6_deployment_now_passes_10 /> http://www.circleid.com/posts/20160104_global_ipv6_deployment_now_passes_10/ > Brands: What you need to know about IPv6 There will be some significant changes to how brands use the Internet in 2016, and the changes won't all be about marketing strategy. The change to IPv6 promises to hold some unique challenges to online businesses. < <http://www.bizreport.com/2015/12/brands-what-you-need-to-know-about-ipv6.ht ml> http://www.bizreport.com/2015/12/brands-what-you-need-to-know-about-ipv6.htm l> IGF IPv6 Best Practice Document now available IPv6 has been deployed almost everywhere. But it is still stigmatized with old assumptions that are no longer true these days, such as equipment readiness, upstream IPv6 support, and skill availability. < <http://blog.apnic.net/2015/12/28/igf-ipv6-best-practice-document-now-availa ble/> http://blog.apnic.net/2015/12/28/igf-ipv6-best-practice-document-now-availab le/> ********************** MISCELLANEOUS ********************** Are TLDs Property? On December 28, the Justice Department filed an amicus brief in Weinstein v. Islamic Republic of Iran, a case pending before the D.C. Circuit. At issue is whether ccTLDs are the property of those countries? foreign governments. < <https://www.lawfareblog.com/are-top-level-domains-property> https://www.lawfareblog.com/are-top-level-domains-property> Coca-Cola owns 61 variants on the domain Ahh.com, including one with 61 Hs If you?re a doctor looking for a catchy new website that isn?t just your boring old name, you?re straight out of luck if you want ahh.com. Or ahhhhhh.com. Or even ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.com. Soft drink manufacturer Supreme Leader Coca-Cola has the market cornered on all things surrounding the sound you make when you open your mouth wide and say ?ahh.? < <http://www.geek.com/news/coca-cola-owns-61-variants-on-the-domain-name-ahh- com-including-one-with-61-hs-1643066/> http://www.geek.com/news/coca-cola-owns-61-variants-on-the-domain-name-ahh-c om-including-one-with-61-hs-1643066/> 7 Domain Name Considerations 1. Size Matters: Generally, the shorter your domain name, the better. That?s because it?s easier for people to remember and type in a shorter domain than a longer one. Consider the above example, Pets.com is better than something like PetsPetEmporiumAndPuppyStore.com. < <http://www.searchenginepeople.com/blog/15122-domain-names.html> http://www.searchenginepeople.com/blog/15122-domain-names.html> The year?s biggest internet happenings 2015 by Patrik Wallstr?m For the fifth year in a row, I?m listing the year?s biggest internet happenings. 2015 has been an especially eventful year. Therefore, in addition to the top ten list, I?ve also made a list of up-and-coming suggestions. Please leave your contribution in the comments section if you think I missed anything! < <https://www.iis.se/english/blog/the-years-biggest-internet-happenings-2015/ > https://www.iis.se/english/blog/the-years-biggest-internet-happenings-2015/> What will happen on the internet during 2016? by M?ns Jonasson Yes, another new year and again it?s time for me to take out my crystal ball and make some guesses about what we will be seeing on the internet during the next year. I?m starting to suspect that I?ve taken on an impossible task. < <https://www.iis.se/english/blog/what-will-happen-on-the-internet-during-201 6/> https://www.iis.se/english/blog/what-will-happen-on-the-internet-during-2016 /> RIPE NCC Activity Plan and Budget 2016 The RIPE NCC Activity Plan and Budget 2016 is now available. This definitive document has been approved by the RIPE NCC Executive Board with input from the RIPE NCC membership. < <https://www.ripe.net/publications/news/announcements/ripe-ncc-activity-plan -and-budget-2016> https://www.ripe.net/publications/news/announcements/ripe-ncc-activity-plan- and-budget-2016> Domains Should Be Complementary, Not Complicated by Taryn Naidu One of Rightside's missions is to help registrars, resellers, and domain specialists grow their business. As the domain industry once again convenes at NamesCon, it's important to discuss what we've been doing (what worked, what didn't) and still must do to build global awareness for new domain names. From a technological perspective, I think the tools and services being offered have never been faster, more stable, or secure. What I want to explore is not on the technical side of the business, but on the marketing side, and that's the opportunity presented by complementary domains. < <http://www.circleid.com/posts/20160106_domains_should_be_complementary_not_ complicated/> http://www.circleid.com/posts/20160106_domains_should_be_complementary_not_c omplicated/> Zhuang Jia: Chinese Pump and Dump An article just published by Bloomberg gives us an x-ray glimpse into a Chinese investment culture reliant on pump-and-dump schemes. The parallels with domain market activity during 2015 are so obvious that even this sentence feels a bit redundant. < <http://domainnamewire.com/2015/12/31/zhuang-jia-chinese-pump-and-dump/> http://domainnamewire.com/2015/12/31/zhuang-jia-chinese-pump-and-dump/> 2016 Domain Name Biz Predictions ? DNW Podcast #64 It?s the annual predictions podcast! Listen to predictions from over a dozen people in the domain name business about what?s on tap for 2016: Bill Sweetman, Michael Castello, Rightside CEO Taryn Naidu, Igloo, Sedo CEO Tobias Flaitz, Braden Pollock, Richard Tindal, Giuseppe Graziano, .Club, THE Domain Conference, Christa Taylor, Richard Lau, Public Interest Registry CEO Brian Cute, Dan Adamson, Joe Alagna, Michele Neylon and InterNetX. < <http://domainnamewire.com/2015/12/28/2016-domain-name-biz-predictions-dnw-p odcast-64/> http://domainnamewire.com/2015/12/28/2016-domain-name-biz-predictions-dnw-po dcast-64/> Efty Takes Landing Pages to a New Level - SnapNames Gets a New Look - Experts in EDC Roundup Weigh In On New gTLDs Efty.com has come up with a new service that should prove popular with domain sellers looking to spruce up their landing pages. < <http://www.dnjournal.com/archive/lowdown/2016/dailyposts/20160105.htm> http://www.dnjournal.com/archive/lowdown/2016/dailyposts/20160105.htm> PIR CEO Brian Cute ? DNW Podcast #65 Public Interest Registry is a not-for-profit that operates the popular .Org domain name. CEO Brian Cute explains the unique nature of his registry, as well as its rollout of .Ngo, .Ong and IDN domain names. Cute explains what needs to happen for these new domain names to be successful, and why he believes validation will be key for domain names in the future. < <http://domainnamewire.com/2016/01/04/pir-ceo-brian-cute-dnw-podcast-65/> http://domainnamewire.com/2016/01/04/pir-ceo-brian-cute-dnw-podcast-65/> ********************** WEBHOSTING ********************** Most Reliable Hosting Company Sites in December 2015 EveryCity had the most reliable hosting company site in December 2015. Despite moving into new offices, its website was the only one to respond to all of Netcraft's requests. EveryCity has maintained its 100% uptime record throughout 2015, and has made it into the top ten 11 times during the year. It also had the most reliable hosting company site in May. < <http://news.netcraft.com/archives/2016/01/04/most-reliable-hosting-company- sites-in-december-2015.html> http://news.netcraft.com/archives/2016/01/04/most-reliable-hosting-company-s ites-in-december-2015.html> December 2015 Web Server Survey In the December 2015 survey we received responses from 901,002,770 sites and 5,579,077 web-facing computers, reflecting a loss of 2.0 million sites, but a gain of 39,900 computers. < <http://news.netcraft.com/archives/2015/12/31/december-2015-web-server-surve y.html> http://news.netcraft.com/archives/2015/12/31/december-2015-web-server-survey .html> ********************** DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET ********************** The Complexities of Domain Name Transactions: Contracts for a Market Where Value Increases with Time by Cedric Manara, EDHEC Business School Abstract: The scarcity of premium domain names has given birth to an active secondary market where these names are often sold for a 5 to 7 figures sum, or to licenses on those names. This chapter draws the attention of practitioners on legal issues pertaining to domain name transactions that all have in common to be transnational and ancillary to the registration rules under which the name was created. < <http://ssrn.com/abstract=2708509> http://ssrn.com/abstract=2708509> Rightside Goes Domain-Wild at NamesCon 2016 in Las Vegas Rightside ... announced that it will be participating in an auction of some of the Internet's most valuable domain names as part of NamesCon's January 10-13 celebration of all things domain-related in Las Vegas. < <http://investors.rightside.co/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=948678> http://investors.rightside.co/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=948678> Rightside to auction ?xyz? domains at NamesCon .xyz made a bit of a splash with domain investors in 2015, but is the meaningless string ?xyz? inherently attractive? Even at the second level? < <http://domainincite.com/19749-rightside-to-auction-xyz-domains-at-namescon> http://domainincite.com/19749-rightside-to-auction-xyz-domains-at-namescon> ------ David Goldstein email: <mailto:david at goldsteinreport.com> david at goldsteinreport.com web: <http://goldsteinreport.com/> http://goldsteinreport.com/ Twitter: <https://twitter.com/goldsteinreport> https://twitter.com/goldsteinreport phone: +61 418 228 605 - mobile; +61 2 9663 3430 - office/home "Every time you use fossil fuels, you're adding to the problem. Every time you forgo fossil fuels, you're being part of the solution" - Dr Tim Flannery -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://lists.cynosure.com.au/mailman/private/dns/attachments/20160107/89844c29/attachment-0001.html>Received on Thu Jan 07 2016 - 05:46:27 UTC
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