Elizabeth "Jake" Feinler, known as the "Mother of Whois," transformed internet infrastructure as the ARPANET Network Information Center's lead. Her work in organizing data and pioneering Whois set the foundation for modern internet protocols. A trailblazer in technology, she championed inclusivity, mentoring women and minorities, while her legacy endures as a cornerstone of the digital age. more
The conventional wisdom in the world of legacy standards-making is that monolithic standards produce, if not accelerate, better products and services. Conformance, certification, and associated labelling schemes to implement those standards were believed essential to trust. Although competition law seems now evolving in the other direction, regulatory standards-making bodies themselves have been accorded considerable anticompetitive cartel liability protection. more
Cybersecurity and artificial intelligence were among the key topics at the 79th UN General Assembly (UNGA). UNGA's 1st Committee, responsible for disarmament and international security, concluded its negotiations in mid-November 2024. It discussed the 3rd Annual Progress Report (APR) of the Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) and adopted a resolution that recommends, inter alia, the establishment of a new permanent cybersecurity mechanism within the UN system. Furthermore, it adopted two resolutions on autonomous weapon systems (AWS). more
Senator Elizabeth Warren and Rep. Jerry Nadler recently wrote a letter complaining that VeriSign overcharges for .com domains due to its market power. They sent it to the Department of Justice and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). While you can make a reasonable case that the claim is true, two more interesting questions are "Why now?" and "Why bother?" more
Starlink launched maritime service in July 2022, and by January 2023 Elcome International LLC, a maritime technology solution provider since 1970, had installed multi-antenna Starlink Maritime arrays on two super yachts with more than 100 passengers and crew. Elcome launched its Starlink maritime service in May 2024 and now has over 3,000 terminals under management. more
I recently saw that AT&T is offering a $10,000 reward to anybody who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of people stealing copper wiring. The particular announcement is related to a recent theft of copper in South Dallas, Texas, but there have been numerous other thefts. This is not a small problem, and the estimated value of stolen telephone copper is between $1.5 and $2 billion annually. more
Nearly 90% of the internet's generic top-level (gTLD) domain names do not have identifying contact information in the Registration Data Directory Services (RDDS) system, according to a report by Interisle Consulting Group. A key finding of the report is the rapid growth of registrar-provided proxy service offerings and the inclusion of these services for both new and existing registrations. more
Recent court rulings hold ISPs accountable for failing to disconnect users accused of copyright infringement, sparking alarm across the industry. As record labels push for harsh penalties and ISPs warn of the potential for mass disconnections, the debate highlights the flaws of outdated copyright laws and raises critical questions about fairness, enforcement, and the future of internet access. more
Africa's digital ecosystem is growing rapidly, with internet access becoming a central driver for innovation, business, and socio-economic development. As this digital adoption expands, so too does the importance of domain governance, particularly the effective management of Top-Level Domains (TLDs). Unfortunately, over the years, African registries have struggled to manage their TLDs, often leading to missed opportunities, inefficiencies, and a loss of competitive edge in the global domain market. more
In October 2023, the Number Resource Organization initiated a process to undertake a significant update to Internet Coordination Policy 2 (ICP-2); the policy which specifies the criteria for establishing new Regional Internet Registries (RIRs). The Address Supporting Organization Address Council (ASO AC) has been tasked with managing the revision process, emphasizing community engagement and transparency. more
In the coming months, we're set to witness the largest investment in America's digital infrastructure in history: $42.5 billion that should be a true lifeline for millions of Americans struggling with slow, unreliable, or nonexistent internet connections. But as with any massive government spending program, the devil is in the details - and Republican lawmakers, led by Texas Senator Ted Cruz, are doing their best to ensure those details work against their own constituents. more
The City of Shanghai entered the low-orbit broadband satellite market. Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology (SSST) launched 18 satellites in August and a second batch of 18 satellites in October. The satellites are being branded as Qianfan, or 'Thousand Sails.' SSST satellites are being launched by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) using the Long March 6A rocket. more
In the wake of the election, sweeping policy shifts in the information economy are set to accelerate. Expect fast-tracked FCC reforms, Starlink subsidies, and AI-driven oversight to redefine media, tech, and regulatory landscapes. From relaxed antitrust to intensified media control, these eleven reversals signal a move toward deregulation and Chicago School libertarianism, with lasting impacts on U.S. markets and governance. more
A CircleID post by Alexander Klimburg takes aim at my article, "The Power to Govern Ourselves," delivered at the Gig-Arts conference in June. That speech, available here on the blog, argued that: "Multistakeholder does not describe a governance model. It never has. It was always a compromised Public Relations concept," one that muddied the distinction between governance by state actors and non-state actors. What really made the Internet institutions unique was their break with sovereignty. more
DOTZON presents the seventh edition of the Digital Company Brands study. After having introduced the study in 2018, DOTZON continued to expand and enhance the underlying data to display how companies successfully use their Digital Company Brands. The Digital Company Brand is the digital dimension of a company brand and mirrors the "digitalness " of a company. For "Digital Company Brands 2024", all companies worldwide that have their own internet extension were once again analysed. more
In our physical world, census information is used to inform the planning processes behind the provision of infrastructure, such as schools, hospitals, housing, and similar. It can be used to assess the impact of natural disasters or to understand a society's needs in terms of food and energy security. Demographic data is also used to inform investment and business decisions. You'd think that the Internet itself would be awash with similar information. more
In CSC's recent insight paper, we address the trend that many business leaders today don't realize the extent to which their modern enterprise -- and its millions of digital assets -- rely on. It's a vast domain ecosystem that needs to be protected from online threats. Often, to better understand this need for domain security, we need to understand how critical and interconnected domains are within a business. more
As the saying goes, elections have consequences. The consequences are underscored in the recent U.S. Presidential election and the potential impact on the Internet, infrastructure and cybersecurity. In the context of the CircleID global community, it seems worth asking where things are headed? It does beg for an analysis of what is actually proposed in Presidential Transition Project 2025 related to things internet and cybersecurity. more
The reports of multistakeholder Internet governance's demise are greatly exaggerated. This article explores the dual nature of multistakeholderism: its evolving, sometimes contentious practice as the "First Body," and its enduring principle of actor plurality as the "Second Body." Despite criticism and challenges, multistakeholderism remains crucial for a resilient, non-state-led Internet, underscoring the need to adapt and uphold its foundational pluralism. more
Thanks to wide adoption of the Infrastructure as Code (IaC) approach, programmatic provisioning of cloud resources is slowly transforming almost every aspect of computing, with administration of web apps having emerged as a key use case. With IaC, it's possible to streamline resource management tasks, shorten time-to-market, control costs, and scale at will. The adoption of continuous integration and continuous delivery (CICD) pipelines is already making a huge difference in web app deployment and cloud resource management. more
American officials have revealed an ongoing struggle to expel Chinese hackers from telecommunications networks, months after the espionage was first discovered. The campaign, attributed to a group called "Salt Typhoon," has infiltrated major telecom carriers, particularly in the Washington region. more
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, is embarking on an ambitious $10 billion project to construct a privately-owned, 40,000-kilometer subsea cable network. Dubbed the "mother of all submarine cables," this endeavor aims to bolster Meta's data infrastructure and sidestep geopolitical risks associated with traditional cable routes. more
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted T-Mobile and SpaceX approval to extend mobile coverage to remote areas using satellite technology. This marks the first authorization of its kind, allowing collaboration between a wireless carrier and a satellite operator to utilize spectrum bands traditionally reserved for terrestrial services. more
As the IEEE 802.11 task force turns its attention to developing Wi-Fi 8, the next iteration of wireless networking standards, the focus has shifted from sheer speed to enhancing user experience. more
The Biden administration is poised to support a contentious United Nations cybercrime treaty, a move likely to spark debate over potential abuses, according to top officials. more
Public Interest Registry (PIR), the nonprofit managing the .ORG domain, recently announced it now oversees 11 million registrations. Jon Nevett, PIR's CEO, attributes this growth to what he describes as a "responsible" expansion, emphasizing a focus on security and community support. more
The Internet Society has announced the 2024 Jonathan B. Postel Service Award recipients, honoring Steve Crocker and Xing Li for their pioneering work in advancing the global Internet infrastructure. more
T-Mobile has claimed a new world record in 5G upload speeds, achieving an impressive 2.2 Gbps in tests conducted at California's SoFi Stadium. Partnering with Ericsson and Qualcomm, the telecommunications firm leveraged an emerging technology, 5G Dual Connectivity (5G DC), which combines mid-band and millimeter-wave (mmWave) spectrum bands. more
OpenAI has acquired Chat.com, a domain name previously purchased for $15.5 million by HubSpot's co-founder Dharmesh Shah. Initially registered in 1996, the domain saw significant investment due to its prime fit with the rapidly growing AI chatbot sector, especially as tools like ChatGPT gain mainstream attention. more
For five years, Canadian government networks have been vulnerable to Chinese state-sponsored cyber espionage, according to a recent report by Canada's Communications Security Establishment (CSE). more
In a joint statement to the European Commission's new tech appointee, Henna Virkkunen, a coalition of internet advocacy groups has firmly opposed recent proposals aimed at imposing network fees on content providers. more
A recent study critically examines the security of popular end-to-end encrypted (E2EE) cloud storage providers, uncovering significant vulnerabilities in platforms widely marketed for their user-controlled privacy features. more
The United States Senate Intelligence Committee Chair, Mark Warner, has called on several domain name registrars, including Namecheap, GoDaddy, and Cloudflare, to address the misuse of their services by Russian actors attempting to influence the 2024 U.S. presidential election. more
The shift from IPv4 to IPv6 has been a protracted and complex process, raising questions about why this transition has been so sluggish despite the depletion of IPv4 addresses more than a decade ago. more
After facing several regulatory obstacles, Elon Musk's Starlink is on the brink of entering the Indian market, a move that could reshape the country's digital landscape. more
Two Sudanese nationals have been indicted for allegedly leading Anonymous Sudan, a cybercriminal group responsible for over 35,000 Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks targeting critical infrastructure worldwide. more
A recent study conducted by Apple's artificial intelligence (AI) researchers has raised significant concerns about the reliability of large language models (LLMs) in mathematical reasoning tasks. Despite the impressive advancements made by models like OpenAI's GPT and Meta's LLaMA, the study reveals fundamental flaws in their ability to handle even basic arithmetic when faced with slight variations in the wording of questions. more
Ukrainian authorities have arrested a 28-year-old man in Khmelnytskyi for running an illicit virtual private network (VPN) service that enabled access to the Russian segment of the internet, known as Runet. more
The United Kingdom's recent decision to relinquish control over the Chagos Islands as part of a treaty with Mauritius has raised significant questions about the future of the popular .io domain. more
Following the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene on North Carolina, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved SpaceX's Starlink to provide direct-to-cell coverage in affected regions. more
NordVPN, a leading VPN service provider, has unveiled its first application featuring quantum-resilient encryption – a significant advancement in cybersecurity. Post-quantum cryptography support is currently available on NordVPN’s Linux client, with plans to extend this enhanced security to all applications by early 2025. more
Starlink, SpaceX's satellite-based internet service, has hit a major milestone by surpassing 4 million subscribers worldwide. SpaceX confirmed the news on Thursday after company President Gwynne Shotwell hinted earlier in the week that the service would reach the mark within days. more
Hawaiian Airlines has completed the installation of Starlink's high-speed satellite internet across its entire Airbus fleet, making it the first major U.S. carrier to offer free Wi-Fi powered by Starlink on transpacific flights. more
The NIS Cooperation Group has released critical guidance for the implementation of Article 28 under the NIS 2 Directive, focusing on registration data accuracy obligations for top-level domain (TLD) registries, registrars, and related services in the EU. more
Colombia has successfully defended itself against a $350 million lawsuit filed by U.S. company Vercara, formerly known as Neustar, in a legal battle over the management of the ".co" internet domain. more
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As unique identifiers of entities that control IP ranges, autonomous system numbers (ASNs) provide valuable data. Understanding ASN distribution and deriving insights from it can significantly enhance strategic business and market analyses. more
Silent Push has been monitoring the FUNULL content delivery network (CDN) for two years now. They believe the network has played host to various cybercriminal campaigns, including investment scams, fake trading app distribution, suspect gambling networks, and the Polyfill supply chain attack. more
Thanksgiving is right around the corner. With it, of course, come celebrations with family and friends and the biggest Black Friday sales. All seems well and good but that's not always the case, isn't it? more
The threat actors behind the RomCom malware, known for extorting government agencies, recently resurfaced with a new RomCom variant called "Snipbot" or "RomCom 5.0" by Palo Alto Networks Unit 42. more
WhoisXML API analyzed close to 22 million domains registered in Q3 2024 to uncover global domain activity trends. more
Phishing has been around for years, yet it still proves to be a major online threat. To continue profiting, cybercriminals must continuously adapt their techniques. more
The Brand Registry Group (BRG) is the global association of companies and organizations working together to champion the use of .brand top-level domains and includes some of the world's most recognized consumer and B2B brands. In advance of the ICANN81 meeting in Istanbul Türkiye next week, the BRG is providing an update on ICANN's new gTLD program in several sessions that may be of interest to prospective .brand applicants. more
The U.S. Office of Public Affairs issued a statement on 4 September 2024 regarding the seizure of 32 websites that are believed to be part of the so-called "Doppelganger" campaign. more
While deepfakes may sometimes be perceived as amusing, their potential for harm is significant and far-reaching. One finance worker for a multinational firm, for example, was tricked into paying out US$25 million to a deepfake scammer who pretended to be their company's chief financial officer (CFO) in a video call just this February. more
This year marks the fifth annual release of CSC's "Domain Security Report," which continues to shed light on the evolving landscape of domain security among Global 2000 companies. more
What is a Dedicated IP VPN? A Dedicated IP VPN is a Virtual Private Network (VPN) service that provides users with a unique, static IP address assigned exclusively to them. Unlike a shared IP address, which is used by multiple users simultaneously, a dedicated IP is reserved for a single user, offering greater control and security over their online activities. more
Starlink provides high-speed, low-latency satellite internet, making it ideal for rural and remote areas lacking traditional broadband. Installation is user-friendly, and coverage continues to expand globally. However, the service is relatively expensive, and performance can be impacted by adverse weather. Overall, Starlink is a reliable choice for those without access to conventional internet options. more
ISPs can see that you are using a VPN, as they can detect encrypted traffic and the IP address of the VPN server. However, they cannot see the content of your data or the websites you visit while the VPN is active because the data is encrypted. This provides privacy for your online activities, though the fact that you're using a VPN itself is visible to the ISP. more
Satellite internet is a broadband service that connects users via signals transmitted between orbiting satellites and a satellite dish at the user's location. Unlike fiber or cable, it doesn't require physical infrastructure, making it essential in rural and remote areas. Although historically slower with higher latency, advancements like Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites have improved speed and reduced delays, enhancing overall performance. more
Yes, NordVPN still works with Netflix in 2024. It effectively bypasses geo-restrictions, unlocking libraries from major regions like the U.S., UK, Japan, and more. However, occasional issues like blocked servers or slow connections may arise. Troubleshooting, such as switching servers or using SmartPlay, typically resolves problems and maintains reliable access to Netflix. more
NordVPN offers two ways to try the service risk-free: a 7-day free trial for Android users and a 30-day money-back guarantee for all users. Both options allow full access to NordVPN's premium features. The trial requires payment details but can be canceled before charges occur. NordVPN provides superior security, performance, and global content access compared to free alternatives. more
NordVPN stands out for its unique double encryption, adding an extra layer of privacy. With blazing-fast servers in 60 countries, it's perfect for streaming, gaming, and bypassing geo-blocks. Its strict no-logs policy and advanced features like CyberSec ad-blocker make it a top choice for anyone seeking strong security and seamless performance. more
The best countries for VPN server locations include Switzerland, Iceland, and Panama for privacy, Germany, Japan, and the United States for fast connections, and the U.S., U.K., and Canada for streaming. These countries offer strong privacy laws, advanced infrastructure, and optimal performance for various online activities. more
VPNs are critical for remote work because they secure data by encrypting internet connections, protecting sensitive company information from cyberattacks. They also enable remote access to company networks, ensuring employees can work safely from any location while maintaining privacy and compliance with security policies. more
A VPN protects you by encrypting your internet connection, hiding your IP address, and routing your data through a secure server. This shields your online activities from hackers, trackers, and surveillance, ensuring privacy and security, especially on public Wi-Fi or when accessing sensitive information. more