In my recent Editors’ Notes post on Consumer Reports’ recommendation that Mac users dump Safari because the Apple browser lacks the anti-phishing tools of Firefox and Opera, I focused on behavioral changes one can make that minimize the risks of phishing attempts. I didn’t, however, discuss a relatively simple configuration change you can make to your Mac that will give you a real anti-phishing tool–in Safari or any other browser you might want to use.

Consumer Reports touted Firefox or Opera over Safari because of the built-in anti-phishing tools in those first two browser; Safari has no such built-in capability. There is, however, a free service you can use that will give every browser on your Mac a full set of anti-phishing tools (and additional tools, if you choose to use them). This service is called OpenDNS, and it’s a free replacement for your Internet service provider’s (ISP) domain name servers.

So just what are domain name servers? A domain name server looks up addresses in the Domain Name System (DNS). In other words, a domain name server is the phone book for the Internet–it translates domain names (www.macworld.com, for example) into Internet protocol (IP) addresses (70.42.185.230, in the case of macworld.com). When you load a Web site, it’s this IP address that’s used to find the server, not the server’s name you typed into the URL bar. Without the DNS, you’d have to know the IP address of any Web site you wanted to use–not a very practical method for browsing the Web.

By default, you are more than likely using the DNS servers provided by your ISP. These are typically included in the setup instructions you used when setting up your Internet connection. But just as there are many companies providing telephone books, there are many different DNS servers you can use–you aren’t required to use the DNS servers provided by your ISP. OpenDNS is one such alternative “phone book,” and it’s one that comes with many features (most are optional) that you probably won’t find in your ISP’s DNS servers. One of those features is phishing protection, based on OpenDNS’ PhishTank project. Once you’ve set your Mac to use OpenDNS’ DNS servers, you get this protection automatically, in any application that uses DNS servers to resolve names.

Note that OpenDNS is able to provide its services for free because it changes how your browser behaves when you enter a non-existent URL, say for asdfjklasjxznn.com. If you enter that URL using your normal DNS servers, you’ll get a standard “page not found” error message. If you load that URL using OpenDNS, however, you’ll see the image at right (click the image for a larger version). The ads you see there are what help OpenDNS pay for its services. If the prospect of seeing such ads when you enter a bad URL concerns you, then you’ll want to pass on this solution. For me, though, it’s a small price to pay for an excellent free service.

Setting up OpenDNS

So how do you use OpenDNS in place of your ISP’s DNS servers? The answer depends on which version of OS X you’re using, how you connect to the Internet, and how your current DNS server information has been set. Answering this question for every version of OS X and every possible network configuration simply isn’t possible in this space. Instead, I’ll provide some generic configuration advice, a specific example, and a pointer to OpenDNS’ own very usable installation instructions.

First, the generic advice: To replace your ISP’s DNS servers with the OpenDNS DNS servers, re-read the installation instructions that your ISP provided. When you get to the step about setting up the DNS servers, replace whatever DNS server IP addresses you’ve been provided with the OpenDNS DNS server addresses: 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220. Save your changes, and you’re done.

As one specific example of a configuration change, here’s what you’d do if you’re using OS X 10.5 on a machine that connects to the network via AirPort, but has a locally-assigned DNS server (that is, defined on that Mac). Launch System Preferences and open the Network pane. Select AirPort in the leftmost column, then click Advanced. A new sheet will drop down, displaying a number of tabs across the top. Click on the DNS tab, and then click the plus sign at the bottom left of the DNS Servers window. The cursor will move to a blank line in the DNS Servers window; type the first OpenDNS DNS server address here, 208.67.222.222. Click the plus sign again, and enter the second OpenDNS DNS server address, 208.67.220.220.

If you see any other addresses listed above these new entries, click on each one and then click the minus sign to remove them. (If you see entries that are grayed out, that means that another machine–your AirPort Base Station or other router, for instance–is providing the DNS server information. If that’s the case, you’ll need to change that machine’s DNS server information to point to the OpenDNS DNS servers.) Once you’ve only got the two OpenDNS DNS servers’ information visible, click OK. This will return you to the AirPort screen; once that appears, click Apply to, well, apply the changes you just made.

If you need more specific installation instructions, the OpenDNS’ Web site has a number of how-to guides for many different computers and operating systems, as well as 14 different brands of home routers (including the AirPort Base Station).

Confirm the setting

After clicking Apply, the changes you’ve made should take effect in about a minute or less. To confirm that your system is using the new DNS, the quickest thing to do is open up Terminal (in Applications -) Utilities), and run a quick nslookup, which runs a name system lookup on the URL you specify. Included in the results is the IP address of the name server that was used to run the query:

As seen here, the Server and Address both point to the OpenDNS DNS server addresses I entered earlier, meaning that my machine is using the OpenDNS DNS servers for address lookups.

Conclusion

Changing your DNS servers isn’t very difficult to do, and by using OpenDNS, you’ll get the benefit of an active and constantly-updated anti-phishing tool, regardless of your browser of choice. If you don’t feel you’ll always be able to spot a potential phishing scam in your e-mail, using OpenDNS is a great solution that will allow you to keep using Safari with some peace of mind. (But remember, no anti-phishing tool is going to be 100 percent accurate, so you’ll want to practice “safe clicking” as I described in the prior article, too.)

In the long run, I really think that something like an Internet-wide anti-phishing tool, such as the one offered by OpenDNS, makes more sense than any number of browser-specific tools. With individual tools, your phishing protection will vary based on which browser you’re using; with a DNS-level tool, though, you’ve got the same level of protection regardless of your browser choice. Hopefully we’ll eventually see an Internet-wide solution, so that you’ll have the freedom to use whichever browser you prefer without worrying about the quality (or lack thereof) of its built-in anti-phishing tools. Until that happens, though, OpenDNS is a great alternative.

author: Rob Griffiths, Macworld.com
source WashingtonPost

A £20,000 grant to secure a “dot cym” internet address for Wales is to be given by the assembly government.

Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones said the money was to support the DotCYM campaign for a Welsh version of the .com or co.uk endings.

He said it would “open up new marketing opportunities and help promote the Wales brand.”

But a Cardiff Business School report said there was little evidence to show .cym would promote Welsh culture.

In its report in June 2007, it also said: “There is little evidence to suggest that a .cym domain will have substantial short-term economic benefit for Wales.”

And CBI Wales said although .cym could be a useful tool for some the trend was towards using international web names.

Support for the bid is part of the One Wales agreement between Labour and Plaid Cymru.

The assembly government’s funding, announced at the National Eisteddfod in Cardiff, will go towards putting together a bid to Icann, the international body which manages domain names.

In June it announced an extension of the system which will allow new domain names to be registered alongside the existing .com .co.uk and .org endings.

Mr Jones said: “This announcement reflects a more strategic approach to put Wales on the world map and enhance Welsh culture and identity on the worldwide web.”

DotCYM was set up to campaign for a Welsh domain name and claims the support of businesses, local authorities and public bodies.

Campaign chief executive Siôn Jobbins said: “The internet is the e-engine for economic growth and Wales needs top level access to deliver the innovation that we need.”

“The internet is about to change radically and Wales must be fully on board the new internet with a top level domain identity .cym, on a par with other economically-growing communities.”

But the insurance company Admiral, the only Welsh group listed on the FTSE 100 index, said it was worried a .cym ending could cause confusion to its customers.

Justin Beddows, a spokesman for the company said: “Most of our customers come from London, the south east and Scotland but for tourist companies it’s a great idea.”

David Rosser, the director of the business organisation CBI Wales welcomed the extra choice a new name would give businesses.

“I think it offers another option for businesses to consider which is never a bad thing,” he said.

“For companies for which Welshness is a key part of their proposition to their customers it maybe a useful marketing tool.”

But he added: “The trend is probably towards globalisation and the removal of local domain names. There are more companies opting for .com rather than .co.uk.”

source BBCNews

As shadowy and as inexplicable as the domain name industry may be, it is remarkable how common people have been earning millions of dollars from the technical undertaking of domain name investing.

Armed with an investigative journalism experience as a staff reporter for The Wall Street Journal, David Kesmodel dares to delve deeper into the phenomenon that is domain investing and sums up his findings in the Xlibris release, The Domain Game.

The Domain Game is a narrative on the progression of the domain name industry, the true to life dealings of some of the most successful domain investors, and the secrets to taking advantage of the opportunities that are present in the domain industry. This self-published book provides facts and historical data on the domain name industry and incorporates these in a structured accounting of the domain world.

Kesmodel offers his insights and assessment of the industry to guide those who are willing to take a chance in the high-risk game of domain investing. In addition, the author brings to light major domain contenders and domain industry resources.

Stories as diverse as that of an Oklahoma watermelon farmer becoming the owner of some of the world’s most priceless Web addresses, and that of a Canadian high school graduate-turned-multimillionaire – who bought domain names that expired during the dot-com crash in the late 1990s – are dissected in this book.

The role of the rapid growth of key search engines like Google and Yahoo in escalating the wealth of domain investors is also rationalized in The Domain Game, as well as the subsequent move of opportunity-seeking individuals to jump in the bandwagon of domain investing after learning the potential of earning millions of dollars in this endeavor.

Undeniably, The Domain Game is an eye-opening must-read for discerning Internet junkies seeking to venture into this high stakes game and looking to gain riches by becoming a domain name investor.

source BigNews.biz

Podgorica, Montenegro - July 22, 2008 – The .ME Registry officially opened for live, real-time registrations July 17, 2008 and was met with huge international demand. More than 50,000 new domain names were registered in the first two days, with the first “live” name registered being: yusu.me.

“While English speaking countries led the way in registration volume, many non-English speaking countries such as Germany, China, and France made a strong showing,” said Predrag Lesic, the registry’s executive director. “We believe this bodes well for the international success of .ME as the only domain that is all about YOU! .ME is a domain space that offers personalized names for your products and services, or your personal presence on the web, including email, in a more generic way than any other.”

Top 10 Countries of .ME Registration by Percentage

1. United States 50 %

2. United Kingdom 11%

3. Germany 9%

4. Canada 5%

5. China 3%

6. France 3%

7. Netherlands 2%

8. Australia 1.5%

9. Israel 1%

10. Spain 1%

“The .ME registry performed extremely well and was able to accommodate the high demand for .ME domain names,” said Ram Mohan, Afilias’ Chief Technology Officer. “Afilias’ registry system performed reliably, recording new create requests in under 21 milliseconds and processing more than 5,000 names in the first minute of open registration. In total, the registry seamlessly accommodated more than 60 registrars vying for .ME names.”

The registration process for .ME began in May with the Sunrise period for trademark holders. Land Rush for the general public to register names began in June. In total more than 30,000 domains were applied for in Sunrise and Land Rush periods, and more than 50,000 new registrations were adding in the initial days of live, real-time registration.

How safe is your domain name?

For businesses, your domain name can become you of your most important assets. Your website becomes who you are and how you are perceived by your customers. If your website is not up and running, easy to navigate, and gives the customer everything they need quickly the customer will move on to somewhere else.

Suppose one day you log on your website and find out it has been parked and no longer yours. That is the scenario that the Small Business Trends blog talks about today. They give three suggestions to make sure that does not happen to you.

Make sure that you are the one the registers your domain name and that you are the primary contact person. Do not allow your web designer to put in their name or have an employee register it for you. Either one of these could cost you your website and ultimately your business.

Also make sure you know when your domain names expire and keep them up to date. Some companies will automatically renew your domain names for you when they come up so you do not have to worry about it. This should be on your checklist of services you look at one shopping for the right hosting service.

source BizPlanHacks

The Com/Net Production environment will be taken offline on Sunday, August 24, 2008 UTC (Saturday, August 23, 2008 EDT) for a scheduled maintenance.

Date: Sunday, August 24, 2008 UTC (Saturday, August 23, 2008 EDT)
Time: 0100 hrs - 0145 hrs UTC (2100 hrs - 2145 hrs EDT)
Duration: 45 Minutes
Purpose: Routine Maintenance

Podgorica, Montenegro - July 22, 2008 – The .ME Registry officially opened for live, real-time registrations July 17, 2008 and was met with huge international demand. More than 50,000 new domain names were registered in the first two days, with the first “live” name registered being: yusu.me.

“While English speaking countries led the way in registration volume, many non-English speaking countries such as Germany, China, and France made a strong showing,” said Predrag Lesic, the registry’s executive director. “We believe this bodes well for the international success of .ME as the only domain that is all about YOU! .ME is a domain space that offers personalized names for your products and services, or your personal presence on the web, including email, in a more generic way than any other.”

Top 10 Countries of .ME Registration by Percentage:
1. United States 50 %
2. United Kingdom 11%
3. Germany 9%
4. Canada 5%
5. China 3%
6. France 3%
7. Netherlands 2%
8. Australia 1.5%
9. Israel 1%
10. Spain 1%

“The .ME registry performed extremely well and was able to accommodate the high demand for .ME domain names,” said Ram Mohan, Afilias’ Chief Technology Officer. “Afilias’ registry system performed reliably, recording new create requests in under 21 milliseconds and processing more than 5,000 names in the first minute of open registration. In total, the registry seamlessly accommodated more than 60 registrars vying for .ME names.”

The registration process for .ME began in May with the Sunrise period for trademark holders. Land Rush for the general public to register names began in June. In total more than 30,000 domains were applied for in Sunrise and Land Rush periods, and more than 50,000 new registrations were adding in the initial days of live, real-time registration.

Angelina Jolie has shown that she is not just an accomplished actress but also a savvy domainer.

The 33 year old superstar celebrated the birth of her and Brad Pitt’s twins, Vivienne Marcheline and Knox Leon, by registering a total of 50 domain names (including 4 .mobis!), increasing her total number of domains owned to a respectable 258.

Domains registered by Angelina Jolie on July 12, 2008:

viviennemarchelinejoliepitt.biz, .com. .eu, .info, .mobi, .net, .org, .us
knoxleonjoliepitt.biz, .com. .eu, .info, .mobi, .net, .org, .us

viviennejoliepitt.biz, .com. .eu, .info, .mobi, .net, .org, .us
knoxjoliepitt.biz, .com. .eu, .info, .mobi, .net, .org, .us

viviennejolie.com, .net, .org
knoxjolie.com, .net, .org

viviennepitt.com, .net, .org
knoxpitt.com, .net, .org

knoxleon.com, .net, .org
viviennemarcheline.com, .net, .org

A number of domainers snapped up some of the remaining combinations that were left unregistered by Angelina:

knoxleonjolie.com, .net, .org
viviennemarchelinejolie.com, .net, .org

knoxleonpitt.com, .net, .org
viviennemarchelinepitt.com, .net, .org

viviennemarcheline.info, .mobi
knoxleon.info, .mobi

If you want to do your part to honor this month’s most famous newborns, don’t despair!

Still available (at the time of writing):

knoxjolie.biz, .eu, .info, .mobi, .us
viviennejolie.biz, .eu, .info, .mobi, .us

viviennepitt.biz, .eu, .info, .mobi, .us
knoxpitt.biz, .eu, .info, .mobi, .us

viviennemarchelinejolie.biz, .eu, .info, .mobi, .us
knoxleonjolie.biz, .eu, .info, .mobi, .us

viviennemarchelinepitt.biz, .eu, .info, .mobi, .us
knoxleonpitt.biz, .eu, .info, .mobi, .us

viviennemarcheline.biz, .eu, .us
knoxleon.biz, .eu, .us

If you or someone you know is expecting children in the near future, consider that there may be no better gift to set aside for your child than his or her own domain.

source DailyDomainer

The .ASIA Registry is scheduled for maintenance on 2 August 2008 between 15:00 - 19:00 UTC.

During the maintenance, you may expect the following:

SRS: Not Available
Web Based Administrative Interface: Not Available
DNS: Available; names will continue to resolve normally.
WHOIS: Not Available
OT&E: Available

The Com/Net Production environment will be taken offline on Sunday, September 28, 2008 UTC (Saturday, September 27, 2008 EDT) for a scheduled maintenance.

Date: Sunday, September 28, 2008 UTC (Saturday, September 27, 2008 EDT)
Time: 0000 hrs - 0400 hrs UTC (2000 hrs - 0000 hrs EDT)
Duration: 4 hours
Purpose: Hardware Upgrades