Verisign initiates new domain security system

Verisign, the administrator of a number of domain zones, is initiating the adoption of a new domain security policy.

The proposed changes would allow registrars to delete, block, or revoke domain delegations upon receiving requests from law enforcement.

At the same time, Verisign is proposing to create a new service that would scan domains for malicious code and identify those that are infected or hacked.

At the same time, the company proposes simplifying the blocking of domains that distribute malware. Commenting on its decision, the company notes that this will address a number of pressing issues affecting both the domain industry and online businesses in general.

The company proposes to adopt its proposed domain blocking system as soon as possible, as there is currently a practice of registering dozens and hundreds of domains from which spam and attacks are sent, but currently registrars have no way to influence the owners of such domain names without a court order.

To confirm its findings, the company plans to scan nearly 100 million domain names in the .NET and .COM domains. Registrars can join Verisign in organizing this process. The goal of the scan will be to determine the number of malicious domains online.

Verisign is currently consulting with the US government and legal experts to develop domain closure procedures. Experts from Europe will soon be involved in the consultations.

However, experts doubt that Verisign's proposal is aimed solely at protecting the internet from malicious websites. The company's proposal states that sites that "threaten the integrity, security, and stability of the DNS" could be shut down.

Furthermore, experts note that Verisign lists too many reasons for closing a domain. Given the company's plans to remove courts and international bodies from the domain name regulation process, this could lead to various types of abuse.