TLD Updates: .ZUERICH Sunrise, Singapore Launches Search For New Businesses plus Singapore National Day Promotion, TLDCON 2021 Registration Opens, LACTLD Turns 23 and NamesCon Delayed To September

The Sunrise period for the new gTLD for Switzerland’s largest city and canton by population, Zürich, commences on 30 August, and will run until 29 October.

Continue reading “TLD Updates: .ZUERICH Sunrise, Singapore Launches Search For New Businesses plus Singapore National Day Promotion, TLDCON 2021 Registration Opens, LACTLD Turns 23 and NamesCon Delayed To September”

SGNIC Offering Premium .SG Domain Names for a Limited Period

Singapore Network Information Centre SGNIC logoFrom 1 to 31 January 2018, a selected group of Premium .sg Domain Names will be released for application at a base price ranging from S$642 to $21,400 (including GST). If the name has multiple applications, it will be allocated to the applicant with the highest bid.

Singapore Network Information Centre SGNIC logoFrom 1 to 31 January 2018, a selected group of Premium .sg Domain Names will be released for application at a base price ranging from S$642 to $21,400 (including GST). If the name has multiple applications, it will be allocated to the applicant with the highest bid.

To apply, see your SGNIC Accredited Registrars to apply now!

Details of the launch can be found in the following documents:
- Application Guidelines for Premium Domain Names
- List of Premium Domain Names for Application
- Milestones for Premium Domain Name Application

Have more questions? Check out the FAQ or email dnq@sgnic.sg.

SGNIC introduces DNSSEC capability for .SG domain names

Singapore Network Information Centre SGNIC logo[news release] The Singapore Network Information Centre (SGNIC) has introduced the Domain Name System Security Extension (DNSSEC) as an optional, opt-in feature for .SG domain names. SGNIC encourages all .SG domain name registrants to enable the feature

Singapore Network Information Centre SGNIC logo[news release] The Singapore Network Information Centre (SGNIC) has introduced the Domain Name System Security Extension (DNSSEC) as an optional, opt-in feature for .SG domain names. SGNIC encourages all .SG domain name registrants to enable the feature.

DNSSEC is a security feature which uses digital signatures to protect domain names from Domain Name System (DNS) spoofing attacks – i.e. attacks that redirect an Internet end-user to malicious sites rather than the intended site. It mitigates such spoofing attacks and complements other security protection mechanisms such as Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificates and two-factor authentications.

The DNSSEC security feature must be enabled by both .SG domain name owners and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) on their respective ends for it to work. To do so, .SG domain name owners must instruct their DNS hosting provider and domain name registrar to activate it. ISPs must also activate DNSSEC-recognition for their end-users. End-users will enjoy the same user experience, while having seamless protection.

“The Domain Name System is like the ‘phone book’ of the Internet, translating domain names to the right IP addresses of a website. DNSSEC protects the integrity of the information stored in the DNS and protect the owner of a domain name against spoofing of IP addresses. With the deployment of DNSSEC in the .SG zone, registrants who wish to provide their website visitors an additional layer of assurance can enable it on their respective .SG domain names. We encourage registrants to opt-in for DNSSEC to further secure their websites.” said Mr. Queh Ser Pheng, General Manager of SGNIC.

For more information on DNSSEC, please refer to the following link:
https://www.sgnic.sg/dnssec-faq.html

RegistryLock – An additional level of security added for protecting of .sg domain names

Singapore Network Information Centre SGNIC logoThe Singapore Network Information Centre (SGNIC) will introduce a “RegistryLock” feature that aims to mitigate domain name hijacking risks

Singapore Network Information Centre SGNIC logoThe Singapore Network Information Centre (SGNIC) will introduce a “RegistryLock” feature that aims to mitigate domain name hijacking risks.

RegistryLock is an easy-to-use self-service that adds an additional layer of security, and it is available round the clock and free of charge. This opt-in feature will be implemented as a six-month pilot run starting today, with a view to convert it into a permanent feature thereafter. All “.sg” domain names (i.e. domain names ending with .sg – e.g. com.sg, org.sg, net.sg, edu.sg, per.sg, gov.sg and .sg) can be protected with RegistryLock.

RegistryLock protects domain names from being hijacked to redirect to an attacker’s website or email system. This is done by requiring the domain name’s administrative contact1 to unlock the domain name before the DNS nameserver information can be changed by the registrar. This increases the level of security for the domain name.

To enable RegistryLock, the administrative contact is required to log in via the VerifiedID@SG and RegistryLock portal using their SingPass ID or SGNICID. The same process is required to deactivate RegistryLock for the relevant domain names.

SGNIC encourages registrants to take advantage of this feature to increase the level of protection for their domain names.

For more information on the RegistryLock pilot, please refer to the following link: http://registrylock.sgnic.sg/faq.html.

 


ISSUED BY THE SINGAPORE NETWORK INFORMATION CENTRE (SGNIC)

About Singapore Network Information Centre Pte Ltd (SGNIC)

The mission of Singapore Network Information Centre Pte Ltd (SGNIC) is to provide Internet registry and information services in an efficient, effective and reliable manner to enhance the security, stability and resiliency of the Internet Domain
Name System (DNS) infrastructure in Singapore and to foster the integrity and growth of .SG domain names.  For more news and information, visit www.sgnic.sg

This SGNIC news release was sourced from:
https://www.sgnic.sg/registrylock-an-additional-level-of-security-added-for-protecting-of-.html

ICANN and SGNIC Conduct Workshop to Help Singapore Internet Community Combat DNS Abuse and Cybercrime

ICANN logo[news release] ICANN and the Singapore Network Information Centre (SGNIC) convened today, with experts from Singapore government agencies and Internet service and solutions providers, to conduct a workshop on methods and strategies to investigate and handle Domain Name System (DNS) abuse

ICANN logo[news release] ICANN and the Singapore Network Information Centre (SGNIC) convened today, with experts from Singapore government agencies and Internet service and solutions providers, to conduct a workshop on methods and strategies to investigate and handle Domain Name System (DNS) abuse.

The DNS translates domain names into IP addresses. This system ensures that anyone who enters a domain name or web address (e.g., www.icann.org) is directed to its corresponding site, defined by its IP address (192.0.34.163).

DNS abuse covers a wide range of activities. While no globally accepted definition exists, examples of DNS abuse include cybercrime and hacking. Another tactic is malicious registrations; whereby malicious actors register a domain name fraudulently for the express purpose of carrying out destructive acts such as distributing malware. Malicious actors also use shortened URLs – lengthy domain addresses that are compacted – to obfuscate a domain name and redirect unsuspecting users to malicious sites.

To help the Singapore Internet community better handle such abuses, ICANN and SGNIC organized a workshop to help them understand the different mitigation techniques against DNS abuse incidents.

Mr. Queh Ser Pheng, General Manager of SGNIC, noted that many industry practitioners may not be readily equipped with the techniques to detect and mitigate exploits on domain names. He said, “With pervasive Internet usage in Singapore and the growing cybersecurity threats, SGNIC hopes that this initiative will help to raise awareness of DNS abuse with service providers and professionals.”

Mr. Queh added, “We are delighted that ICANN and SGNIC are strategically aligned in our fight against DNS abuse, and we welcome this collaboration with ICANN.”

“As the coordinator of the Internet’s global DNS, ICANN‘s mission is to help preserve and enhance the stability, security and resiliency of the DNS by working with the global Internet community. Besides industry practitioners, we also work with law enforcement agencies to help equip them to conduct investigations into DNS abuse,” said Mr. Jia-Rong Low, Vice President and Managing Director for ICANN Asia Pacific. “The ICANN APAC hub office is in Singapore, and we are proud to be able to contribute to the community here.”

This ICANN news release was sourced from:
https://www.icann.org/resources/press-material/release-2016-04-29-en

Premium .SG Domains Available

SGNIC logoDuring July SGNIC is releasing a number of premium domain names that eligible registrants can apply for at a base price ranging from S$642 to $21,400 (including GST)

SGNIC logoDuring July SGNIC is releasing a number of premium domain names that eligible registrants can apply for at a base price ranging from S$642 to $21,400 (including GST).

Domains with multiple applications will be allocated to the applicant with the highest bid.

Eligible registrants can apply through SGNIC Accredited Registrars before 31 July.

Details of the launch can be found in the following documents:

CcTLD Updates: .au, .cr, .id, .nl, .ru, .sg

Following the 2010 Names Policy Panel, auDA, the .au policy and regulatory body, has announced they will be implementing some of the Panel’s recommendations

Following the 2010 Names Policy Panel, auDA, the .au policy and regulatory body, has announced they will be implementing some of the Panel’s recommendations.

There are two main policy changes. One relates to domain monetisation in .com.au and .net.au, which sees the policy rules in effect “incorporated into the Domain Name Eligibility and Allocation Policy Rules for Open 2LDs at Schedules C (com.au) and E (net.au).”

The second relates to the little used .id.au 2LD, previously open only to individuals using their actual name or nickname. Now registrants will be able to register a domain name in the 2LD that relates to “a personal interest or hobby of the registrant.”

NIC Costa Rica announced that on 16 October 2012, the registries from Germany (.de), Brazil (.br) and Czech Republic (.cz) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with NIC Costa Rica (.cr). In their announcement NIC Costa Rica notes “the agreements allows for mutually beneficial projects such as: promote the exchange of expertise, share best practices related to management, strategy and business models, work together on initiatives that can lead to more efficient processes among other projects.”

The registry for .id domain names (Indonesia) said there is a good chance the ccTLD will become the largest in south east Asia. According to a Tech In Asia report,  Indonesia’s 103,882 .id domains are still outnumbered by Singapore’s .sg and Malaysia’s .my domains, which have 144,591 and 206,663 registered domains respectively.” The ccTLD has seen a 62.5 percent increase in registration in 2012 with the registry, PANDI, forecasting a growth rate of up to 170 percent in 2013 which, if it happens, would mean there would be 300,000 more new .id domain names at the end of 2013.

The Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and SIDN have jointly written to ICANN on the subject of last resort redelegation. The move is linked to contingency arrangements that the ministry and SIDN made in the 2008 Covenant on Safeguarding the .nl Domain, with a view to ensuring the continuity and stability of the .nl domain under all circumstances. The letter informs ICANN about the Covenant and about the contingency arrangements made at the national level, in case a last resort redelegation should ever be necessary.

On 19 December, 2012, the Coordination Center for TLD RU/РФ hosted a press conference on the “Russian Domain Space 2012: the bottom line”. The press conference looked at the achievement os 2012 and emerging future trends.

Issues covered were the stability of Russia’s TLDs, .ru and .рф, the growth in registrations of both TLDs to go past a combined total of five million, the safety of the DNS and DNSSEC and Russian applications for new gTLDs.

And the Coordination Center for TLD RU also announced the Russian Domains stats portal now enables to compare the domain zones in a highly visual mode. Compare Data will prove useful for web analysts, media and other Internet community members as well as for the members of the domain industry.

The Singaporean registry, SGNIC, announced that from 2 January 2013, all new businesses and companies registered with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) via its BizFile system on or after 5 October 2012, will save at least S$30 for the first year of registration for their first .sg domain name (ending with “.com.sg” or “.sg”).

In another SGNIC announcement, from 1 to 31 January 2013, a selected group of Premium Domain Names (“PDNs”) will be released for application at a base price ranging from $642 to $21,400 (including GST). If the name has multiple applications, it will be allocated to the applicant with the highest bid.

Singapore Registry to Introduce Chinese Domains

SGNIC logoThe Singapore Network Information Centre (SGNIC) will be launching Chinese domain names (CDN) on 3 November. The move means businesses and consumers can look forward to using Chinese characters in their website address to better reach their customers or friends who prefer Chinese web addresses

SGNIC logoThe Singapore Network Information Centre (SGNIC) will be launching Chinese domain names (CDN) on 3 November. The move means businesses and consumers can look forward to using Chinese characters in their website address to better reach their customers or friends who prefer Chinese web addresses.

This opens up new options for domain names, as anyone can soon register addresses such as  .sg so that their target market or audience can better identify with them. SGNIC will offer these Chinese domain names at both 2nd and 3rd levels in all categories (namely, .sg, .com.sg, .gov.sg, .org.sg, .edu.sg, .net.sg, .per.sg). For instance, a 2nd level domain name would be  .sg, while a 3rd level domain name would read as  .com.sg.

The launch will take place in the following phases:

  • Phase #1: Government Applications 23 Nov 2009 – 31 Dec 2009
  • Phase #2: Trademark Owners Applications 7 Jan 2010 – 18 Feb 2010
  • Sunrise: 25 Mar 2010 – 6 May 2010
  • General Launch: 10 June 2010 onwards.

“SGNIC hopes to give users greater choices and also add to the range of domain names available here,” said Lim Choon Sai, SGNIC’s general manager.

“We believe this is timely given the growing interest, especially among businesses here, to reach the Chinese markets, which may feel more comfortable using their own language.”

Asia Registry logoRegistrations can be made with any of SGNIC’s participating accredited registrars such as Asia Registry and are available in all the domain name categories, namely .sg, .com.sg, .org.sg, .net.sg, .edu.sg, .gov.sg, .per.sg.

Registrations are subject to the “SGNIC Chinese Domain Names (CDNs) Launch Guidelines” which prescribes policies and procedures concerning applications during the various phases, priority claims, biddings and other general implementation details.

Applications during the first three phases will be on batch-processing for each phase while applications for the General Launch will be on a first-come-first-served basis. Please refer to the launch schedule and relevant documents below for more details.

Launch Schedule

Milestones Duration Activities
Phase 1: Government Applications 9:00am 23 Nov 09 to 12:00pm 31 Dec 09 Acceptance of applications from government agencies. Names will be processed as a batch.
5:00pm 6 Jan 10 Batch Activation of all names registered during Phase 1.
Phase 2: Trademark Owners Applications 9:00am 7 Jan 10 to 5:00pm 18 Feb 10 Acceptance of applications from trademark owners. Bidding will ensue if there are multiple applications for the same domain name. Names will be processed as a batch.
5:00pm 24 Mar 10 Batch Activation of all names registered during Phase 2.
Sunrise 9:00am 7 Jan 10 to 5:00pm 18 Feb 10 Acceptance of applications from trademark owners. Bidding will ensue if there are multiple applications for the same domain name. Names will be processed as a batch.
5:00pm 24 Mar 10 Batch Activation of all names registered during Phase 2.
General Launch 10 Jun 10 Acceptance of applications from all entities on a first-come-first-served basis. There will be no priority fee imposed.