Network-solutions-is-run-by-mindless-monkeys.com

Written on January 9, 2008 – 3:42 pm
Ernst-Jan Pfauth, editor in chief

Eleven hours ago, Reddit user geeeeoffff went to Network Solutions, a web hosting and domain company. Probably to host a domain or something. Yet, he found out that when he checked a domain on its availability, Network Solutions automatically registered it. This is what the, probably amazed, Reddit user posted:

REDDIT GAMES: this company registers any domain name checked. Lets search for long strings of random letters and numbers!!! over 20 characters long should do it. (networksolutions.com)

You can imagine what happens next: hundreds of Reddit users started checking the weirdest and offensive domain names. You want some examples? You’ll get some! Beware, some are not suitable for your cubicle:

Some are pushing it a bit far though. Yet this only shows what kind of consequences this script by Network Solutions has.

The guys from Network Solutions seem to be pretty fast, according to Geekner, who checked the domain Ipickedthisnamebecauseitiscompletelyrandomandhasnumbers2.com. “It went from available to taken by NS in less than a minute.”

What Networks Solutions probably does, is called front running. This November, Nominet published a position paper on this matter. Here’s their definition:

Domain Name Front Running (DNFR) is a technique believed to exist, but so far unproved, whereby one person monitors the activity of a second person who is planning to register a domain name and the first person then registers the domain name before the second person.

Network Solutions already reacted on the front running accusations. Jonathon Nevett, Vice President of Policy at Network Solutions rather calls it ‘a security measure to protect our customers’. Moreover, he says that they release the domains after four days.

Which means there are 3,5 days left for this domain…
Network Solutions

I hope you like that post!

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front running, network solutions, nominet, reddit

About the author: Ernst-Jan is a blogger and journalist, who previously worked in New York to cover news at the United Nations. Next to writing, he's also a singer in the band Christina Five.

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15 comments/trackbacks to “Network-solutions-is-run-by-mindless-monkeys.com”

Jan 27, 2008: Deadpool: Domain tasting and kiting industry
[...] weeks ago we brought you the news about Reddit users making fun of Network Solutions’ domain front running. They checked domains [...]
Feb 24, 2008: Why local restaurants should love domain tasting
[...] a domain name which you know somebody else is intending to register. Earlier, we reported that Network Solutions automatically registered domain names that people checked for its availability and that Google would make it harder for the front running [...]
May 22, 2008: Domain-me.com: One scam or another, front running is gonna get ya’
[...] company that just loves front running, chances are high they’ll register it for you. Even Network Solutions is has been accused of this practice [...]

By David Petherick on Jan 9, 2008 | Reply

“A security measure to protect our customers!” That phrase reminds me of ‘anticipatory retaliation’ - a phrase used by military/security advisers to justify blowing up anything they think might possibly be a threat - before it becomes a threat.

I wonder what will happen when they infringe a trademark?
By Boris Veldhuijzen van Zanten on Jan 9, 2008 | Reply

Network Solutions has responded to this story here: http://customersupport.network.....php?id=939
By Patrick on Jan 9, 2008 | Reply

I once registered the domain thewithyour2bestfriendsonabiketomonacorace.com
It wasn’t a huge success :)
By Robin Wauters on Jan 9, 2008 | Reply

Weird that so little people know why it’s exactly 4 days. Read this old article by Bob Parsons, CEO and founder of GoDaddy.com and look for the words ‘5 day refund’:

http://www.bobparsons.com/MayKiting.html
By agentbleu on Jan 10, 2008 | Reply

I remember many years ago, going to buy a domain from NS for a product we were looking at distributing in the UK, it was called the lovegetty and was selling millions in Japan (mostly to men) little device that would sound an alarm if you passed someone else who had one on the same setting, anyway, after a bit of looking about at domains on NS, I went to buy it, and it went from being available to sold. I could not believe it so i phoned NS and spoke to one of the bosses, she claimed that they had bought the domain themselves. I did not know of this practice called Domain Name Front Running, back then (only read about it here for the first time) but I swear this is what happened to me. She was very weird on the phone, would give me no information and it smelt more fishy than her vagina. I never used them again as I the stench was more than I could stomach.
By redwall_hp on Jan 10, 2008 | Reply

I searched a few, to see if they’d take them (when I saw the post on reddit). Here’s my favorite:
http://networksolutions-is-the.....erweb.com/
By Patrick de Laive on Jan 10, 2008 | Reply

@redwall_hp :) I love this stuff. Keep up the good work.
By chrisco on Jan 10, 2008 | Reply

Wow, what lying assholes. Part of what they are doing is called “domain tasting,” I think. That four days is a “free look” or “taste” of the domain name. If it gets traffic for any reason, they keep it b/c it’s valuable for their pages full of ads. If no traffic, maybe it gets run though an algorithm and/or human (I mean monkey), who see if it meets any other criteria that may give it value. What pricks, using their customers like that. Cheers.
By Marek on Jan 11, 2008 | Reply

Doesn’t registering these domains inflict any costs on them?
Cause you could, in theory, retaliate with a script checking for the availability of completely random domain names. Not that I will do it though, or encourage anyone else to do it either.
By redwall_hp on Jan 11, 2008 | Reply

Marek, I believe one of the Reddit users already tried using a script. I think it may cost them money, but it’s no where near what non-monkeys pay (NetSol pays more like $1).
By redwall_hp on Jan 11, 2008 | Reply

BREAKING NEWS: The monkeys say it’s a “security feature.”
http://arstechnica.com/news.ar.....nners.html
By edial on Jan 26, 2008 | Reply

Look what google just announced, an attack on Frontrunners:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/200.....2eng5k24cA
Definetly ‘Don’t do evil’ points for this