NordVPN Promotion

Home / Blogs

.Pro Asking for Second-Level Domains (Again)

Protect your privacy:  Get NordVPN  [ Deal: 73% off 2-year plans + 3 extra months ]
10 facts about NordVPN that aren't commonly known
  • Meshnet Feature for Personal Encrypted Networks: NordVPN offers a unique feature called Meshnet, which allows users to connect their devices directly and securely over the internet. This means you can create your own private, encrypted network for activities like gaming, file sharing, or remote access to your home devices from anywhere in the world.
  • RAM-Only Servers for Enhanced Security: Unlike many VPN providers, NordVPN uses RAM-only (diskless) servers. Since these servers run entirely on volatile memory, all data is wiped with every reboot. This ensures that no user data is stored long-term, significantly reducing the risk of data breaches and enhancing overall security.
  • Servers in a Former Military Bunker: Some of NordVPN's servers are housed in a former military bunker located deep underground. This unique location provides an extra layer of physical security against natural disasters and unauthorized access, ensuring that the servers are protected in all circumstances.
  • NordLynx Protocol with Double NAT Technology: NordVPN developed its own VPN protocol called NordLynx, built around the ultra-fast WireGuard protocol. What sets NordLynx apart is its implementation of a double Network Address Translation (NAT) system, which enhances user privacy without sacrificing speed. This innovative approach solves the potential privacy issues inherent in the standard WireGuard protocol.
  • Dark Web Monitor Feature: NordVPN includes a feature known as Dark Web Monitor. This tool actively scans dark web sites and forums for credentials associated with your email address. If it detects that your information has been compromised or appears in any data breaches, it promptly alerts you so you can take necessary actions to protect your accounts.

In a Message from RegistryPro Advisory Board to Tina Dam on 24 October 2003, it is noted that .Pro is, again, asking ICANN to allow for the registration of 2nd level domains.

“We understand that RegistryPro has requested a modification of its Registry Agreement with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to provide for the offering of a second-level .Pro domain name alternative to the third-level .Pro domain name which ICANN has already approved (Second-Level Domain Proposal). The primary purpose of the second-level .Pro domain name is to offer the consumer greater choice with respect to available naming conventions.

We believe this choice will enhance the appeal of .Pro to our distribution channel. The proposed second-level .Pro domain will continue to uphold Pro’s existing eligibility requirements and registration restrictions and will simply offer wider latitude to end-users.”

I am, again, of mixed opinion on this. On the one hand, a registry should be able to do what it wants, within reason. This clearly falls into that category.

On the other hand, .Pro has been denied once already on the grounds that registering 2nd level domains is not the proposal upon which they were approved in the “testbed” procedure of November 2000. ICANN has correctly pointed out that it was not able to approve everyone and, as such, must hold applicants to their proposals. I have to agree, and feel that this overrides the right for a registry to do what it wants. Were there robust competition in the marketplace, and other prospective registries allowed to compete, this wouldn’t be an issue.

Until such time as the “testbed” is over (and ICANN has stated that it is not), registries should not be allowed to change their operating proposals. They have a huge competitive advantage as a result of being chosen based on those proposals. To allow them to change now is to throw out the entire process as worthless, calling it nothing more than a beauty contest. Indeed, a beauty contest in which the winners, if they didn’t succeed, can change their contestants after they win.

If the “winners” in 2000 must now change their procedures in order to be successful, then we have one of two possible reasons. Either the process of their selection was flawed, or we have a distinct lack of competent competitive players. Either reason is bad.

My suggestion: ICANN should tell .Pro that they can open up the 2nd level just as soon as, but not sooner than a process for adding more TLDs is created and operational.

By Christopher Ambler, Chief Software Strategist

Filed Under

Comments

James Seng  –  Nov 5, 2003 6:38 AM

Business environment changes rapidly as do consumer choice. We cannot expect business to start offering unprofitable services just to proof a point.

It is better to acknowledge a mistake and fix it quickly.

Christopher Ambler  –  Nov 5, 2003 5:42 PM

Absolutely, James - once the testbed is over and new competition is allowed. Otherwise, you invalidate the testbed and give more protected-market advantages to existing players.

That’s hardly fair (and in some markets might even be illegal)

Daniel R. Tobias  –  Nov 5, 2003 7:44 PM

On the other hand, .name has already been approved for second-level registrations, a modification from the original agreement; it would be unfair to allow that while denying other TLDs’ similar modification requests.

Christopher Ambler  –  Nov 5, 2003 7:46 PM

Indeed. I believe that the approval for .name was wrong, just as the approval for .pro was wrong.

James Seng  –  Nov 7, 2003 3:38 AM

the “testbed” goal is really to find out if we can have more TLDs (remember some were arguing back then we can have millions of TLDs?) and more importantly to me, will it bring competition to NSOL.

While ICANN have not release any official results of this testbed, I believe the first goal has been successfully demostrated but the latter is unfortunately quite disappointing.

Comment Title:

  Notify me of follow-up comments

We encourage you to post comments and engage in discussions that advance this post through relevant opinion, anecdotes, links and data. If you see a comment that you believe is irrelevant or inappropriate, you can report it using the link at the end of each comment. Views expressed in the comments do not represent those of CircleID. For more information on our comment policy, see Codes of Conduct.

CircleID Newsletter The Weekly Wrap

More and more professionals are choosing to publish critical posts on CircleID from all corners of the Internet industry. If you find it hard to keep up daily, consider subscribing to our weekly digest. We will provide you a convenient summary report once a week sent directly to your inbox. It's a quick and easy read.

Related

Topics

DNS

Sponsored byDNIB.com

Domain Names

Sponsored byVerisign

Cybersecurity

Sponsored byVerisign

IPv4 Markets

Sponsored byIPv4.Global

Threat Intelligence

Sponsored byWhoisXML API

New TLDs

Sponsored byRadix

Brand Protection

Sponsored byCSC

NordVPN Promotion