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August 2025・Web Security

Requiring registrants to show ID is a Bad Idea

We all want to be safe online. Whether we’re browsing and shopping, interacting with people on social media, or hosting our own content, there’s a shared need for security. As a domain name registrar, we think about this topic a lot. What processes and policies can we put in place to help protect our customers […]

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Words associated with Web3 floating in pill boxes, the .locker logo underneath.

Help your clients take their first step into Web3 with .locker

The Internet has been evolving in waves. First came Web1: static pages and limited interaction. Then, Web2 transformed the experience into today’s dynamic, user-driven web. Now, the next wave is taking shape: Web3, built on decentralization, transparency, and individual ownership. Web3 introduces new ways of managing identity, assets, and presence online—using blockchain to keep records […]

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Different types of SSL certificates

What are the different TLS/SSL certificate types? A complete guide for agencies and MSPs

When you visit a website, one way to tell it’s secure is by checking for a TLS/SSL certificate. These certificates do two important things: they verify the website’s identity, and they encrypt any data exchanged between your browser and the site—both the information you send (like passwords or credit card numbers) and the information it […]

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Common Domain Extensions

The top domain extensions people are registering—and why it matters for you

You’ve seen them everywhere— .com, .org, and .net. These domain extensions—also called top-level domains (TLDs)— are more than just web addresses; they’ve shaped how we navigate the Internet. Whether you’re naming your next project or advising clients, knowing which extensions dominate the web is a valuable edge. The most familiar TLDs While there are thousands […]

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reserved domains

What is a reserved domain?

Did you know that even if you wanted to register example.com, you can’t? No one can. This isn’t a system bug—it’s the registry enforcing rules that intentionally block certain domains from being registered. These are called reserved domains. When you search for a domain, the registrar (e.g., OpenSRS) queries the registry (e.g., Verisign for .com) […]

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Prague, Czechia

ICANN83 policy recap

The ICANN83 meeting in Prague, Czechia, brought the Community together for four days of policy-focused sessions. Contrasted with other ICANN meetings, which include a Public Forum, Annual General Meeting for the Board, and other more business-oriented sessions, the Policy forum centers on current policy and implementation work, so it’s usually the most jam-packed for the […]

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Whois lookup example

What is Whois?

“Whois” can be difficult to define as it is both a protocol and a broader system of services and databases that provide responses to queries about domain name registrations. By performing a Whois search for a domain, you can find its basic information, including when it was registered, which registrar it’s registered with, and often, […]

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Tiered Access Compliance and Operations (TACO) statistics

Tiered Access update: Reviewing “urgent” requests and updated statistics

The lead-up to ICANN83, which will be held next week in Prague, feels much shorter than usual, as ICANN-accredited registrars and registries just held our Contracted Parties Summit in early May. This was a useful series of working sessions and discussions. Most focused around operational issues—especially addressing DNS Abuse—but another topic came up in conversations […]

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subdomain, second-level domains, top-level domain
May 2025・Domains Explained

What are gTLDs and ccTLDs?

Whether you’re launching a business, starting a blog, or kicking off a side project, your domain extension matters more than you think. In this article, we’ll break down what gTLDs and ccTLDs are, how they work, and which one might be the best fit for your needs. The basics of domain names Every website has […]

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premium DNS
May 2025・Industry Insight

What is Premium DNS?

Our earlier guide explored DNS and why proper management is essential. Now, we’re taking it a step further by looking at Premium DNS. Premium DNS is a paid upgrade to basic DNS services that typically includes enhanced infrastructure, faster response times, and stronger security—though the exact features may vary by provider. When you visit a […]

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Seattle skyline

ICANN82 Recap

ICANN82 was hosted in Seattle, which is lovely in mid-March. The crisp Pacific Northwest coast offers beautiful views and Seattle has a whole “underground city”—it’s well worth a visit.  ICANN’s new CEO Kurtis Lindqvist participated throughout the week-long meeting. With his technical background and pragmatic approach, Kurtis offers more than 30 years of experience (and […]

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DNS management services
March 2025・Web Security

What are DNS management services?

Imagine trying to access a website, but instead of typing in an easy-to-remember domain name, like example.com, you had to enter a long series of numbers, like 198.51.100.45. Thanks to the Domain Name System (DNS), you don’t have to. DNS is the infrastructure that translates user-friendly domain names into numerical IP addresses that computers understand. […]

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reseller domain storefront on website

How to create a seamless customer experience when reselling domains

Creating a smooth, reliable, and on-brand customer experience is key when reselling domain names. Whether your core business is offering hosting, building websites, or managing digital marketing services, including an intuitive domain management experience can strengthen customer loyalty and generate recurring revenue. Understand your customers’ needs Digital service providers offer domain names because it makes […]

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agency performance metrics

5 strategies to improve your agency’s profitability

Every marketing agency wants to maximize profitability. While the equation itself is pretty straightforward—revenue minus expenses equals total profits, real growth can be a big challenge, especially with increasing competition, operating costs, and fluctuating client demands. Rising to this challenge requires multiple strategic approaches to increase revenue while keeping costs in check. This means making […]

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Istanbul
November 2024・Industry Insight

ICANN81 recap

ICANN81, hosted in Istanbul, Türkiye, brought us together both in person and virtually for a week of working meetings and presentations. Before we get into the specific policy work updates, we want to highlight two important discussions happening within the ICANN community right now. Perhaps closest to our cow-print hearts, ICANN Registrars and Registries (together, […]

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