auDA Domain Name News - July 29
29/Jul/2008
auDA Domain Name News is compiled by David Goldstein on auDA's behalf. The views expressed in the news items linked from auDA's website (Linked Documents), do not necessarily reflect the views of auDA. auDA does not warrant the accuracy or reliability of the information contained in the Linked Documents, and assumes no liability to any person for any reliance placed upon any information contained in the Linked Documents.
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RESEARCH PAPERS
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An Analysis of the UDRP Experience: Is it Time for Reform? by Pablo Cortes [Computer Law and Security Report]
Abstract: ICANN with the UDRP has achieved in developing a transparent global online dispute resolution procedure based on contractual adherence that allows trade mark owners to fight efficiently cybersquatting. This paper may be divided in two main parts. First, the interpretation of the UDRP policy is discussed at the light of UDRP panel decisions. Secondly, this paper evaluates the UDRP rules, which have been harshly criticized for the use of proceedings that are seen in favour of complainants. From the creation of the UDRP up until now the UDRP has not shown any intentions of reform despite all the existing criticisms. After nearly one decade of experience it appears clear that the UDRP needs to be reviewed if it aims to provide, not only an efficient but a fair procedure. This article concludes by considering the main steps towards reforming ICANN's UDRP.
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1010088
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GOVERNANCE
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Vint Cerf blasts ISPs for hurting national interests
Vint Cerf, who developed the technical principles on which the internet works, has blasted telephone and cable companies for harming national interests by holding investments in their networks to ransom.
www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2008/07/23/tech-cerf.html
Google Wants You To Be Your Own ISP
The Internet is too slow for Google and the nation's telecom and cable companies are to blame. At least that's how Google sees it. In an interview with journalist Tom Foremski at the Fortune Brainstorm conference in Half Moon Bay, Google VP of engineering and chief Internet evangelist Vint Cerf slammed AT&T, Verizon, and the cable companies for failing to invest in network infrastructure.
www.informationweek.com/news/internet/google/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=209600668
Vint Cerf Caught Off Guard, Nevertheless Says What Needs to Be Said About Our Misguided Policy
This morning's mail brought news of a 3 minute 45 second video clip of very candid and very outstanding remarks from Vint Cerf. Vint says very clearly what needs to be said and what needs to be grasped and acted on by the new president and congress next year. The clip was captured, blogged and up loaded to YouTube by Tom Foremski proprietor of IMHO for ZDNet.
www.circleid.com/posts/87246_vint_cerf_caught_off_guard_fortune_brainstorm/
EU internet proposals raise civil liberty fears
Civil liberty groups claim the new "telecoms package" due to go before the European Parliament in September will result in the loss of individual freedom on the internet, and breach the fundamental principles of human rights in Europe.
www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/eu-internet-proposals-raise-civil-liberty-fears-877988.html
Debate on the Future of Global Internet Regulation
A debate, entitled "The Internet — How It is Governed Today and How it May Be Governed Tomorrow: A VIP Panel Discusses the Internet Governance Forum of the United Nations and the Global Debate About the Control and Future of the Internet" will feature Paul Twomey, President & CEO of ICANN, Richard Beaird, Senior Deputy U.S. Coordinator, Information and Communications Policy, U.S. Department of State, Washington, DC, Bill Graham, Strategic Global Engagement, ISOC, and Markus Kummer, Executive Coordinator, Internet Governance Forum.
domaine.blogspot.com/2008/07/debate-on-future-of-global-internet.html
New Zealand's internet future and how to fix it
A group of experts has descended on Queenstown for a three-day Netsafe conference that aims to unlock the mysteries of our internet future. Cybercitizens: Risks, Rights and Responsibilities of Participation in the Information Age covers internet safety and law and plays host a range of experts on aspects of web life.
www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=137&objectid=10523942
Who Should Solve This Internet Crisis?
The Internet was in crisis. Its electronic "pipes" were clogged with new bandwidth-hogging software. Engineers faced a choice: Allow the Net to succumb to fatal gridlock or find a solution. The year was 1987. About 35,000 people, mainly academics and some government employees, used the Internet.
www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/27/AR2008072701172.html
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DOMAIN NAMES
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- ICANN
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Domain Name Security Paper Released
For many years, the Internet community has been developing and enhancing a Domain Name System (DNS) security technology called DNSSEC. ICANN's strategic and operating plans call for ICANN to be operationally ready to deploy DNSSEC at the root level and work with relevant stakeholders to determine how this should be implemented. With input from many stakeholders, ICANN has prepared a document describing this path to operational readiness for signing the root.
icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-24jul08-en.htm
ICANN ALAC Review: Final Report by Independent Evaluator Released
ICANN is posting the summary and final report of the Independent Review of the ALAC submitted by Westlake Consulting. These documents will be available shortly in multiple languages.
icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-25jul08-en.htm
IANA: First release of XML formatted registries
As first announced in April 2008, IANA is improving the formatting of its protocol registries by migrating the source format of these registries to structured XML format. We are pleased to announce the first set of migrated registries have now come online.
www.iana.org/reports/2008/xml-registry-launch.html
ICANN Releases Paper on Domain Name Security by Patrik Fältström
Today ICANN releases a paper with the title "DNSSEC @ ICANN - Signing the root zone: A way forward toward operational readiness". The paper explains in more detail than earlier documents what ICANN view on signing of the root zone is. I think the key points mentioned in this paper are true, and in general, I think this document is a good read. It is not long, and summarizes what I would call the current view is.
www.circleid.com/posts/87241_icann_paper_domain_name_security_dnssec/
Does ICANN Still Keep Some Things Hidden? by Milton Mueller
ICANN has made major strides towards increasing its transparency, but the point about openness and transparency is that you do it all the time, not just when its convenient or when the results won't challenge you. In that regard we find it interesting that ICM Registry's precedent-setting call for an Independent Review Panel has not seen the light anywhere on ICANN's website.
blog.internetgovernance.org/blog/_archives/2008/7/23/3807148.html
ICANN: Yes, we're toothless
For any of us who have been frustrated by ICANN's seeming unwillingness to enforce many of the issues surrounding domain registration, we now have some answers: ICANN admits that the Registrar Accreditation Agreement (RAA) is missing authority over many issues that "were not contemplated when the RAA was written."
www.thestandard.com/news/2008/07/24/icann-admits-its-toothless
Is This Only Sloppy Wording by ICANN? by Patrik Fältström
So I wrote earlier [also here on CircleID] that I though it was good stuff when ICANN released a paper on DNS Security. Yes, I think it was good this paper was released, and yes it points out correctly how important DNSSEC is.
www.circleid.com/posts/is_this_only_sloppy_wording_by_icann/
ICANN Extends 'Www' Options
Internet regulators have brought the curtain down on the 'dot com' era, paving the way for companies to apply for a wide range of new domain names.
www.redorbit.com/news/technology/1494621/icann_extends_www_options/
Impact of new ICANN extensions on UK businesses: Do UK businesses really need to worry?
ICANN’s recent announcement that businesses can now apply for domain extensions outside of the TLDs (top level domains) currently in use, like .uk, .com or .org, has caused a huge buzz in the business community. But should companies really start defensively registering extensions and stumping up the cash for an ICANN application? Wouldn’t it make more sense (and be far more cost effective) to concentrate on strengthening their digital assets through domain names?
www.sedo.com/links/showhtml.php3?Id=2119
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- ccTLD & gTLD NEWS
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auDRP - Dispute Resolution Policies for the .au domain extenstion
auDA does not handle auDRP complaints. Complaints under the policy may be submitted to any auDA approved dispute resolution service provider (listed below in alphabetical order). Complaints are determined by a panel (single- or three-member) appointed by the Provider from its listed panelists. Each Provider follows the auDRP Rules, as well as its own supplemental rules.
tcattorney.typepad.com/anticybersquatting_consum/2008/07/audrp---dispute.html
LinkedIn's New Purchase of .au ccTLD Shows Increase In Australian TLD Popularity
Builder.au reports that LinkedIn, the social networking site for professionals, has joined an increasing number of companies that have sought to register their trademarks on the Australian (.au) ccTLD. Several months ago LinkedIn contacted Australian marketing firm Clear Blue Day, the previous registrant of linkedin.com.au, and requested that Clear turn over the domain name. Instead, Clear negotiated a deal whereby they received an advertising campaign on LinkedIn’s website in exchange for the domain name.
tcattorney.typepad.com/anticybersquatting_consum/2008/07/linkedins-new-p.html
.CN phishing sites to be stopped resolution [news release]
In order to tackle phishing activities using CN domain names and to protect online safety, Anti-phishing Alliance of China (APAC) was founded on July 18, 2008. Its founding members include Chinese banks, securities companies, e-commerce companies, CN registry and registrars, as well as scholars. CNNIC, the registry of .CN, was appointed as the secretariat of APAC.
www.cnnic.net.cn/html/Dir/2008/07/23/5232.htm
China tops 250 million Internet users [IDG]
China reasserted itself as the world's largest Internet market with 253 million total users by the end of June, the China Internet Network Information Centre (CNNIC) said Wednesday in its semiannual report.
www.networkworld.com/news/2008/072408-china-tops-250-million-internet.html
China tops US for Internet user
China has the world's largest number of Internet users, passing the United States by the end of June, a government-backed center said in a report today. Another 43 million netizens joined in the first half of this year, lifting the number of Chinese Internet users to 253 million, China Internet Network Information Center said in its 22th Internet Development Report today. ... The number of registered domain names that ended with .cn surged to nearly 12.19 million by July 22 ?again the world's biggest, followed by Germany, the report said.
www.shanghaidaily.com/article/?id=368002&type=National
gp: 1-digit domain closed [news release]
All 1-digit domain names are registered, registration is closed for 1-digit domain names.
www.nic.gp/
.ME is Spreading Around the World, More Than 50,000 New Names in Open Registration [news release]
The .ME Registry officially opened for live, real-time registrations July 17, 2008 and was met with huge international demand. More than 50,000 new domain names were registered in the first two days, with the first "live" name registered being: yusu.me.
www.afilias.info/news/press_releases/pr_articles/2008-07-22-01
www.nic.me/index.php?page=12&news=93
Craze after Montenegro Internet Domain .ME
More than 50,000 new web names have been registered using the .me domain as Montenegro seeks to cash in on selling off its domain name for general use.
macedoniaonline.eu/content/view/2485/2/
my: Launch of Reseller Application Process [news release]
MYNIC is pleased to announce the commencement of the application process for the Reseller Programme. Currently MYNIC has 31 appointed Resellers located throughout Malaysia, including Penang, Johore, Sabah and Sarawak.
mynic.net.my/readnews.php?id=72
Changes to .mx Registration Policies
NIC Mexico, the registry for Mexico’s ccTLD, has announced changes to its programme for registrars and is releasing new tools to allow for a greater number of registrars worldwide. There are also changes that affect all .mx domain names, current and future.
www.domainpulse.com/2008/07/24/changes-to-mx-registration-policies/
Prices Slashed for Dot-Pro Domains [news release]
Effective July 21, 12:00 pm Eastern Time, dot-pro domain names can be registered on a first-come, first-served basis for just $49 for one year.
www.encirca.com/html/press/dot_pro_land_rush_at_encirca.pdf
Dot-travel provider to step up promotion push [news release]
Tralliance Corporation plans to step up its activity in the UK to raise the profile of the dot-travel top level domain name in the coming weeks.
www.travel.travel/index.php/2008/07/22/travolution-72208-dot-travel-provider-to-step-up-promotion-push/
New Nominet DRS Policy and Procedure and online system [news release]
As announced on 27 June 2008 we are changing the DRS Policy and Procedure, together with bringing the DRS process into our online services.
www.nic.uk/news/latest/?contentId=5462
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- DNS SECURITY
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Attacks begin on net address flaw
Attack code that exploits flaws in the net's addressing system are starting to circulate online, say security experts. The code could be a boon to phishing gangs who redirect web users to fake bank sites and steal login details.
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7525206.stm
First DNS attacks reported
The first attacks to use the so-called Kaminsky DNS vulnerability have surfaced, according to reports. A user named James Kosin sent details of the attack to a Fedora Linux mailing list.
www.infomaticsonline.co.uk/vnunet/news/2222592/first-dns-attacks-reported
Web Sites Attacked in Ex-Republics
Government Web sites in two former Soviet republics, Lithuania and Georgia, came under cyber attacks over the weekend, according to Lithuanian officials and an Internet watchdog group.
nytimes.com/2008/07/24/world/europe/24briefs-WEBSITESATTA_BRF.html
Kiwi ISPs rush to lock out DNS criminals
New Zealand ISPs are hurriedly patching their servers to avoid attacks from phishers and domain spoofers as the global DNS emergency rolls on.
computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/scrt/2240D52757999C2FCC25749300406F4C
Darkness in the cloud
If a seismograph were monitoring cybersecurity tremors, it certainly would have spiked earlier this month with the news that a pervasive vulnerability had been discovered that could allow hackers to redirect Internet traffic. As Government Computer News’ William Jackson first reported July 8 (GCN.com Quickfind 1162), a number of vendors and security researchers have been scrambling secretly over the past six months to fix a design flaw in the Internet’s Domain Name System.
www.gcn.com/print/27_18/46738-1.html
World's biggest ISPs drag feet on critical DNS patch
More than two weeks after security researchers warned of a critical defect in the net's address lookup system, some of the world's biggest internet service providers - including AT&T, Time Warner and Bell Canada - have yet to install a patch inoculating their subscribers against attacks, according to an informal survey of Register readers.
www.theregister.co.uk/2008/07/25/isps_slow_to_patch/
Security Wars: China Establishes Alliance To Fight Phishing Websites
Formed by Chinese banks, securities institutions, e-commerce websites and domain name management and service organizations, the China Anti-phishing Website Alliance has been founded to fight phishing websites through better management of domain names and domain name servers.
www.chinatechnews.com/2008/07/25/7069-security-wars-china-establishes-alliance-to-fight-phishing-websites/
Kaminsky (finally) provides DNS flaw details
In his first public comments since his Domain Name System (DNS) cache poisoning flaw was made public, Dan Kaminsky said in a conference call on Thursday he doesn't want to parse who said what when. He just wants everyone to understand that they must patch their systems now.
news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-9998906-83.html
Details, Exploits of Web-Wide DNS Vulnerability Revealed
The much-discussed vulnerability in the Internet's Domain Name System is out -- and so are exploits that take advantage of it. The flaw's founder, Dan Kaminsky of IoActive, held a Webcast today in which he gave details on his findings, and revealed that attacks have been developed to exploit it.
www.darkreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=159985
Early leak exposes DNS flaw details
Security researchers are rushing to patch a flaw in the domain name system (DNS) servers that direct internet traffic, after details of how it worked were revealed online where they could be exploited by hackers.
www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/jul/24/news.internet
DNS exploit code is in the wild
As of Wednesday, an exploit code allowing someone to attack the domain name system (DNS) was available in various places on the Internet.
news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-9998406-83.html
Researchers unleash DNS attack code
Security researchers have released attack code that can silently redirect users to unintended sites using a critical flaw in the Internet's Domain Name System.
computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9110622
Attack code released for DNS bug [IDG]
Hackers have released software that exploits a recently disclosed flaw in the Domain Name System (DNS) software used to route messages between computers on the Internet.
www.infoworld.com/article/08/07/24/Attack_code_released_for_new_DNS_attack_1.html
www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/148854/attack_code_released_for_new_dns_attack.html
techworld.com/security/news/index.cfm?newsID=102222
Exploit code for Kaminsky DNS bug goes wild
When Dan Kaminsky disclosed a critical flaw in the net's address lookup system earlier this month, he said it was crucial internet service providers and other organizations install patches immediately. He wasn't kidding.
www.theregister.co.uk/2008/07/24/dns_exploit_goes_wild/
The DNS bug and you: Find out if you are at risk from the DNS bug and, if so, what to do about it
You know a bug is Big News when it makes National Public Radio's "All Things Considered", the network's afternoon drive-time show. That's what happened Friday, when Dan Kaminsky, the security researcher who uncovered a critical flaw in the Doman Name System (DNS) software used to direct traffic on the Internet, gave a synopsis of the problem and what has been done to fix it.
www.infoworld.com/article/08/07/28/FAQ_The_DNS_bug_and_you_1.html
Internet on alert
The Vietnam Computer Emergency Response Team (VNCert) on July 23 issued an urgent announcement about a serious security error associated with the global domain name system (DNS).
english.vietnamnet.vn/tech/2008/07/795321/
Is your home system vulnerable to a DNS cache poisoning?
On Wednesday, an exploit code allowing someone to attack the domain name system (DNS) became available.
news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-9998625-83.html
Pavietnam hacked, nearly 8,000 .vn websites crippled
The domain server of PAvietnam, a large hosting service provider in Vietnam, was controlled by hackers in the morning on July 27, which deadlocked around 8,000 websites based on Pavietnam’s server.
english.vietnamnet.vn/tech/2008/07/795917/
US government security data compromised
The security of data held by the CIA, the FBI and the US Department of Defense was compromised earlier this year after a partner agency allowed zone transfer access of its Domain Name Services.
www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2222630/us-government-security-compromised
www.whatpc.co.uk/vnunet/news/2222630/us-government-security-compromised
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- DOMAIN DISPUTES
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Even porn execs have bitter domain-name battles
The Fed love a good porn investigation. Allegedly, John Gray, CEO of the strip-club-industrial complex Spearmint Rhino, has been illegally taking control of domains owned by his former business partner, Michael Ninn, best known for the kind of arty, high-gloss hardcore films that almost take themselves too seriously to be porn.
valleywag.com/5028975/even-porn-execs-have-bitter-domain+name-battles
The NBA name game has turned into a guessing game for cybersquatters across the country
Purchasing a domain name can be like buying a lottery ticket. Others simply want to start a Web site. A study of domain names reveals many people, and companies, have tried to predict the nickname of a possible NBA team in Oklahoma City as far back as two years ago.
newsok.com/the-nba-name-game-has-turned-into-a-guessing-game-for-cybersquatters-across-the-country/article/3274047
Are You Master Of Your Domain?
In February 2008, MarkMonitor, Inc released its latest Brandjacking Index. The Index summarises data collected by the US company on how popular brands are abused online. Significantly for trade mark and brand owners, the Index indicates that cybersquatting increased by 33% over 2007. Studies into the practice have found that cybersquatters are now targeting more popular consumer brands over a wider range of industries. Trade mark owners and brand name users must remain vigilant in monitoring use of their brands online to ensure that their interests are not diluted by unauthorised use.
mondaq.com/article.asp?articleid=63294
Bakers wins Narnia domain name battle
Baker & McKenzie has prevailed over a Scottish family in a fight over the narnia.mobi domain name, after a decision from the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).
www.thelawyer.com/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=133922&d=415&h=417&f=416
Scrabble maker Hasbro sues over 'Scrabulous' Facebook game
This is the lawsuit we all knew was coming: Hasbro, which sells the Scrabble board game, has sued over the wildly popular knockoff on Facebook called Scrabulous. ... The lawsuit names as defendants Kolkata, India-based RJ Softwares, its CEO Rajat Agarwalla, and Jayant Agarwalla, who launched Scrabulous two years ago. It asks the court to yank the Scrabulous game from Facebook, disable the scrabulous.com domain name, and grant Hasbro damages and attorneys fees.
news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-9998723-93.html
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- IPv4/IPv6
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New Publication: Scarcity in IP addresses: IPv4 Address Transfer Markets and the RIRs by Mark Costa
Abstract: We are running out of Internet addresses. A newly released paper by the IGP evaluates address transfer policies that Internet governance agencies are considering as a response to the depletion of the IPv4 address space.
blog.internetgovernance.org/blog/_archives/2008/7/22/3804985.html
AARNet begins planning IPv6 roll-out
The Australian National Research and Education Network (AARNet) recently held discussions with a group of government and academic leaders over the roll-out of IPv6 in Australia.
computerworld.com.au/index.php/id;1393936622
www.arnnet.com.au/index.php/id;1393936622
www.pcworld.idg.com.au/index.php/id;1393936622
IPv6... Unstoppable Road to Hyperconnectivity: Blame It On Opiates! by Yves Poppe
Some think IPv6 with its myriad addresses will accelerate the evolution of a hyperconnected world. But could a world where everything and everybody is sensed, monitored, located, to augment our quasi real-time interaction with the world outside our little selves, lead to total dependency, if not to gradual stupidity of the human race? Not surprisingly, a favourite topic for (late night) Internet Conference bar discussions.
www.circleid.com/posts/87275_ipv6_unstoppable_road_hyperconnectivity_opiates/
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- MISCELLANEOUS
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Google Counts More Than 1 Trillion Unique Web URLs [IDG]
In a discovery that would probably send the Dr. Evil character of the "Austin Powers" movies into cardiac arrest, Google recently detected more than a trillion unique URLs on the Web.
www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/148964/google_counts_more_than_1_trillion_unique_web_urls.html
pcworld.idg.com.au/index.php/id;2073502291
www.networkworld.com/news/2008/072508-google-counts-more-than-1.html
Curious Histories of Generic Domain Names
In this brave new Web 2.0 world, it's almost a badge of honor to have a Web site name that only hints at what the user will find there (see Flickr) or is so opaque as to offer no clue at all as to what the Web site is about (see del.icio.us). It's easy to forget the first Internet gold rush of the mid-to-late '90s, when dot-com domain names based on ordinary (and, investors hoped, marketable) nouns and verbs were snapped up by hopeful companies from the humble geeks who had purchased them (often ironically) in the early '90s. The weird and wooly history of the Web can best be traced through some of its most generic domains. Here's a sampling that trace the arc from the geeks to the entrepreneurs and into a more staid corporate world.
www.itworld.com/five-generic-domain-names-history-080123
Steal Away
Domain "kiting" is a new term that can now cause us to worry. For years, we have heard of people who purchased domain names, like cocacola.com, and thought that they would hold those names hostage and then sell them back to companies for handsome profits.
www.dentaleconomics.com/display_article/335041/54/none/none/Dept/Steal-Away
Internet company wants lawsuit dismissed
GoDaddy, the Internet’s largest registrar of domain names, wants a federal judge in Texarkana to dismiss a lawsuit claiming it has profited at the expense of customers.
www.texarkanagazette.com/news/localnews/2008/07/28/internet-company-wants-lawsuit-dismissed-51.php
The Right Domain Name Can Win New Clients
When Kimberlee Williams, co-owner of marketing consultancy Femworks LLC, tried to register www.femworks.com as the company’s domain name, she ran into a problem familiar to small-business owners. Someone who had already registered the name, but was not using it, was selling the Internet address for an inflated price, referred to as the after-market.
www.njbiz.com/weekly_article.asp?aID=020822702.374828.978380.4547817.5278481.807
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- DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET
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Villas.com Sells for €305,000
The Sedo auction for Villas.com has just closed with the name selling for €305,000, making it the eighth biggest sale to date in 2008 according to Domain Name Journal’s Year to Date sales chart, assuming money changes hand. The auction was contested by two bidders once the bidding got past €155,000.
www.domainpulse.com/2008/07/24/villascom-sells-for-e305000/
www.domainnews.com/en/general/villas.com-sells-for-305-000.html
French Prefer Cars to Porn
If domain name sales are anything to go by, the French are more interested in cars to sex. In recent days there are reports auto.fr and voitures.fr were sold for €150,000. This compares to the €30,000 for porn.fr in January 2008.
www.domainpulse.com/2008/07/24/french-prefer-cars-to-porn/
www.domainnews.com/en/general/french-prefer-cars-to-porn.html
DomainRegistration.com Closes at More Than $376,000 In One of the Year's Top Dozen Domain Sales
A trio of nice six-figure sales highlighted the past week in the domain aftermarket. The leader of that pack, DomainRegistration.com booked a bountiful $376,480 to complete a sale process that began with a winning bid in Moniker's live auction at the T.R.A.F.F.I.C. East conference in May.
dnjournal.com/archive/domainsales/2008/domainsales07-22-08.htm
Click Fraud, Botnets and Parked Domains - All Inclusive by Dancho Danchev
It gets very ugly when someone owns both, the botnet, and the portfolio of parked domains actively participating in pay per click (PPC) advertising programs, where the junk content, or the typosquatted domain names are aiming to attract high value and expensive keywords in order for the scammer to earn higher on per click percentage. This is among the very latest tactics applied by those engaged in click fraud activites. Hypothetically, the cost to rent the botnet and commit click fraud would be cheaper than sharing revenue on per click basis with "human clickers" who earn money based on how many ads they click given a set of scammer's owned sites, where the customer support represents a do-it-yourself proxy switching application changing their IP on the fly.
www.circleid.com/posts/87281_click_fraud_botnets_parked_domains/
Click fraud harder to detect, but rate stays flat
Click fraud, in which advertisers have to pay for bogus clicks on text ads, dropped only a smidgen to 16.2 percent of clicks in the second quarter from 16.1 percent in the first, according to new data from Click Forensics, a company that monitors such activity.
news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-9998222-93.html
Aussie domain aftermarket stalls
A month after Australia's domain name regulator started to allow domains ending in .au to be on-sold, companies are attempting to auction Australian domains for as much as AU$1 million. However, buyers have remained reluctant to pay top-dollar for the internet addresses.
www.zdnet.com.au/news/communications/soa/Aussie-domain-aftermarket-stalls/0,130061791,339290816,00.htm
Wishing Well Promotion-Win Cash and Promote Change!
In the domain industry, we deal with property that can’t be touched and we build relationships with people we may never meet. With this question in mind, we created SedoCares; a new Sedo team that will be proactively working on social and environmental issues.
www.sedo.com/links/showhtml.php3?Id=2117
Google Ad Planner by Jay Westerdal
I have been playing with Google Ad Planner for about a week now and it is by far the best third party metrics tool out there. I can now directly query Google for how popular a website is and how many users they have.
blog.domaintools.com/2008/07/google-ad-planner/
.Me Domain Name Auctions to Last a Loooong Time
I haven’t been paying much attention to the .me domain name auctions, but Michael Berkens has. Some of the domains are being bid up rather high, including Insure.me (135 bids, $26,130), Hug.me (74 bids, $13,016), Secure.me (93 bids, $7,540) and Portland.me (230 bids, $6,151).
domainnamewire.com/2008/07/28/me-domain-name-auctions-to-last-a-loooong-time/
Ex-Marchex Employees In Trouble For Setting Up Copycat Sites
Marchex has sued two ex-employees for deceptively creating and running competing websites. The pair - Eric Thoreson and Casey Manion - have agreed to pay Marchex $100,000 in legal fees and deactivate their competing sites.
www.domainnamenews.com/legal-issues/ex-marchex-employees-in-trouble-for-setting-up-copycat-sites/1820
