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NSI Registers Every Domain Checked

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the that's-why-they-are-the-front-runner dept.

An anonymous reader writes "In a developing story, registrar Network Solutions has been caught front-running domain names. Any domain names searched via NSI's whois are being immediately purchased by the registrar, thereby preventing a registrant from purchasing the domain at any other registrar. There are multiple reports of this practice over at DomainState.com." Update: 01/09 01:58 GMT by KD : shashib writes to let us know that NSI has issued a response to the accusations of front running.

10 of 668 comments (clear)

  1. Any way to... by Jaysyn · · Score: 5, Interesting

    ...automate requests with a dictionary? Make them bankrupt themselves purchasing bogus domains?

    --
    There is a war going on for your mind.
    1. Re:Any way to... by mr_walrus · · Score: 3, Interesting

      which "you"? it would require thousands of people hitting the db at the same time.
      individually no-one would be capable of doing it.

      unless you are orchestrating/controlling a Botnet to do a DoS attack. ...but those who have control over botnets wouldnt be so mean as to direct
      their efforts at NSI would they? :)
      after all, they are already considered terrorists and have nothing to gain :)

      a plain DoS would cost them money in lost business.

    2. Re:Any way to... by dpilot · · Score: 3, Interesting

      So if you're domain-shopping, the obvious method is to build a loop like this, and tack your real request somewhere at the back end.

      Then when they get wise to that, and start queuing requests, checking the first N and the last N, you need a back-end loop, as well.

      --
      The living have better things to do than to continue hating the dead.
    3. Re:Any way to... by kvezach · · Score: 4, Interesting

      How about doing a whois on one of the AACS keys? DMCA-tastic!

  2. DNS and Certificate services by Deadplant · · Score: 3, Interesting

    The domain name registrars and the ssl certificate services are all run by crooks.
    It is appalling that so much of our security infrastructure relies on this pack of thieves.

    What should be we do to correct this problem?

    Perhaps a consortium of the major Internet providers could start up a new DNS system.
    I'm not talking about Comcast/verizon/aol, I'm talking about Level3, Cogent, Teleglobe etc..

    thoughts?

  3. Re:Use the /. effect to make them screw themselves by RobertB-DC · · Score: 5, Interesting

    So, we can create a link that has a simple php script to have the user check a random domain through them. That way it isn't all coming from one IP Address...

    Who needs a script when you have the power of Slashdot? /me goes off to join the crowd at the whois watering hole...
    --
    Stressed? Me? Of course not. Stress is what a rubber band feels before it breaks, silly.
  4. Don't use WHOIS by Antibozo · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Whether it's NSI or some other registrar doing it, this has been a known issue for a long time. The solution is not to use WHOIS. Instead follow DNS from the root and see if it goes anywhere. E.g.:

    dig the-domain-you-want.com. +trace
  5. Re:I always assumed they did this by MightyMartian · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Eleven years ago when I first started working for an ISP, they were called Network Hell, and they had richly earned the moniker then, but their deeds over the last five years makes me think they want to earn some sort of record as the most unethical company in history.

    ICANN didn't have the balls to kill the contract a few years ago, maybe they will finally do the right thing and rid the Internet of this vile vile monster.

    --
    The world's burning. Moped Jesus spotted on I50. Details at 11.
  6. Call for more info by Dan+East · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I checked an obscure domain name through them in the last several days and it was available. Lo and behold, it is now registered. I will be calling their support line at 1.888.642.9675, and / or their technical support line at 1.866.391.HELP to figure out what is going on.

    I sure hope I don't take up too much of their time, because 1-800 minutes aren't cheap for them, neither is tying up their support personnel. However, if you're curious about these practices, you might want to speak with them yourself - it's your right after all.

    --
    Better known as 318230.
  7. NSI doing Creative Commons Abuse, too! by schmiddy · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I Just followed the link to uselessdomain0001.com. Check out the blue globe logo at the top.. now check out this CC licensed SVG image on Wikipedia: Applications-internet.svg. Looks like someone "accidentally" forgot to include the Creative Commons Share Alike license on that page.. hmmmm.

    I think it's pretty obvious that NSI is just a scummy company, through and through.

    P.S. If uselessdomain0001.com has changed by the time you read this, just check out uselessdomain0002.com or any other similarly tasted domain.

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