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ARTICLE · 22 NOVEMBER 2007

Domain Name Update: Front Running

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The Security and Stability Advisory Committee of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers which administers domain names has launched a probe into the practice of what it calls domain name "front running".

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The Security and Stability Advisory Committee (SSAC) of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) which administers domain names has launched a probe into the practice of what it calls domain name "front running". ICANN said that there are widespread suspicions that checks for availability are being monitored and the information used to register desired addresses in order to sell them back to the user at a profit. People who want to buy a domain name usually check its availability first on websites such as whois.net, or through registrar companies. It is at that point that unscrupulous operators may be registering names in order to profit from the demand.

Whilst there is no evidence of how or even if the practice was widespread, ICANN has received sufficient complaints to suggest that the practice may be taking place.

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