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.eu and EURid: .eu comments on Internet security, IPv6 and new gTLDs
[March 29, 2011]

.eu and EURid: .eu comments on Internet security, IPv6 and new gTLDs


BRUSSELS --(Business Wire)--

General Manager on changing TLD landscape

General Manager of EURid, the .eu top-level domain (TLD) registry, Marc Van Wesemael expresses candid opinions on Internet security, IPv6 and the upcoming TLD market liberalisation, ahead of .eu's fifth birthday on 7 April 2011.

Online security focus

"Internet security still needs to improve," Mr Van Wesemael notes. "EURid has always been active in this area and it is the responsibility of TLD registries, such as ourselves, to strive to make the Internet safer for everyone."

As one of the first registries to fully implement Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC) for a TLD, .eu, EURid continues to champion online security. New services and education programs in 2011 will simplify using DNSSEC, which is seen by many as unduly complex:

  • Streamlining deployment: An innovative, all-in-one DNSSEC signing and implementation service for the .eu accredited registrar community aims to encourage the adoption of the protocol. Currently in test phase, rollout is expected in Q3.
  • Improving knowledge: A complementary series of training seminars across Europe will boost registrars' confidence when working with the DNSSEC protocol and their portfolio of signed .eu domain names.

More initiatives to make the Internet a safer place include EURid's behind-the-scenes actions to deter phishing. "We are the custodian of .eu and therefore have effective procedures in place to combat suspicious domain name registrations," says Marc Van esemael.



The switch to IPv6

As World IPv6 Day on 8 June 2011 approaches, Mr Van Wesemael predicts that IPv6 momentum will gather pace.


.eu domain name holders have always been able to use IPv6 addresses for their dedicated name servers, as .eu registration systems have been IPv6-capable since the TLD's launch in 2006. More recently, the .eu registry has begun preparations to add IPv6 connectivity to its registration services. Mr Van Wesemael however notes that not all service providers have full IPv6 solutions commercially available. Offering IPv6 remains an important focus for EURid.

New TLD market entrants

The upcoming introduction of a potentially unlimited number of new extensions will change domain name market dynamics. For example, Mr Van Wesemael foresees a shift in power from registries to registrars and a decline in defensive registrations which may even lead to reduced growth for the TLD market as a whole.

"Trademark owners are likely to focus their marketing time and money on five to ten core domain names, which could mean less popular domains miss out. As .eu is one of the ten largest domains in the world, I am confident that the market opening up will not affect us."

On the other hand, he considers the publicity surrounding new entrants will draw positive attention to the existing, more established extensions, such as .eu.

He observes, "We certainly have challenging times ahead, but the .eu team is looking forward to the future. We have every reason to believe that the next five years will be as fulfilling as the last five".

About .eu and EURid

The .eu domain ranks among the ten largest top-level domains in the world, connecting 500 million people in 27 EU countries to one Internet identity. More than three million .eu names have been registered since the domain opened for registration in 2005. Many companies use a .eu website as a practical solution to convey a clear European identity, including Bridgestone, Century 21, Hyundai, the MAN Group, Microsoft (News - Alert) Corporation and the UniCredit Group.

EURid is the not-for-profit organisation appointed by the European Commission to operate the .eu top-level domain. EURid works with over 850 accredited registrars and provides support in the 23 official EU languages. With headquarters in Brussels (Belgium), EURid also has regional offices in Pisa (Italy), Prague (the Czech Republic) and Stockholm (Sweden). More information at http://www.eurid.eu.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://www.cisionwire.com


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