Domain name holders, in particular small business operators, are still being caught out by unsolicited letters offering domain name registrations.

These letters range from completely bogus invoice-like letters attempting to fool the account payer, to letters that are offering a new domain name very similar to the  existing one. The letters can result in the business being either the victim of a scam or the unwitting owner of an unwanted new domain name.

Some of the letters may also be offering other services such as website hosting or redirecting or email services.

How to avoid problems

Domain name holders and business operators can avoid problems associated with such unsolicited letters by becoming familiar with the domain name renewal process, and setting in place some simple administrative practices.

• Do not assume that any renewal notice is from your original supplier. You may receive many such offers from scammers or operators competing for your business.

• Keep a good record of domain name registration details – including the name of the registrar and the renewal date. Domain name registrations for .au domains such as www.yourbusiness.com.au are renewed every two years, while .com domains are registered in yearly increments.

• Check all details on any invoice or letter. Is it the proper name of your website address? Is it .com or a net.au? The letter might be trying to sell you a new domain name or another type of service.

• To check that your domain name is registered or who your registrar is use a “Whois” search to check the details of a domain name.

  • For .au domains go to www.ausregistry.com.au.

  • For .com domains there are a number of searches eg www.betterwhois.com.

  • Others can be found via a search engine.

• Carefully check the rates and terms and conditions of the renewal notice and compare this with the current provider of your domain name licence.

• Lists of accredited registrars are available at www.auda.org.au (Australia) or www.icann.org for .com domain names.

To ensure against domain name scams complete the following and keep handy for everyone involved in the bill paying.

If the letter is not from your registrar you do not have to send money. If in doubt contact your registrar first.

My correct domain name/s is:

My domain name registrar or re-seller is:

My domain name renewal date is:

What’s in a .com.au domain name?

The business domain name usually includes the business or product name in order to make it easily identifiable to potential customers. However, domain names are more than just a name.

A domain name includes a core name plus a domain name level that often indicates where the domain name is registered.  www.yourbusiness.com says that the files are located in the World Wide Web (www), it has the core name ‘your business’ and is registered at the .com level while www.yourbusiness.com.au, though similar it includes the .au. This  indicates that the domain name is registered on the registry for Australian domain names.

A domain name does not necessarily indicate where the website associated with that domain name is hosted.

Same core name, but different domain names

Domain names can include the same core name but not be the same domain name or even belong to the same business

Example

Business A sells coffee wholesale and is called Coffee Express.

Business B specialises in fast delivery coffee and is called Coffee-Express. 

Business A has the domain name www.coffee-express.com.au registered while Business B has www.coffee-express.net.au registered.

Even though the core name in the domain name is the same ‘coffee-express’ the two are not interchangeable - one is .net.au while the other is .com.au.

Many businesses choose to register many different levels of their name in order to ensure that all versions lead to their website.

It is this aspect of the domain name system that is exploited in some of the letters being sent out soliciting domain name registrations.

***It is important to note that a registered business name does not guarantee that the business name can be used for a domain name.

The main players in the domain name arena

Australian .au domain name - key groups 

auDA has been delegated authority by the Australian government to manage the .au domain. auDA accredits and licenses Registrars. For more information go to http://www.auda.org.au.

Registry operators are licensed by auDA to manage and maintain the database that contains the domain names registered by registrars on behalf of registrants. Currently Ausregistry is the only licensed registry for .au domain names. For details go to http://www.ausregistry.com.au.

Registrars for .au domain names are accredited by auDA. They sell domain name licences to registrants. The registrar is responsible for checking that the registrant is eligible for the domain name and for updating information on the Registry database on behalf of the registrant. Registrars can use the services of a reseller. For a list of auDA accredited Registrars for .au domain names go to http://www.ausregistry.com.au/registrars.php

Resellers operate through an agreement with a Registrar.  Resellers are not accredited but often have a contractual relationship with a registrar. They offer domain name registration and related services and deal directly with the registrant but do not have access to the registry.

Registrant is an individual, company or organisation that is granted a licence for a domain name.

*** It is important to note domain names are leased and not owned. If not renewed a domain name can be registered by another eligible party.

Non .au domain names

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is the not for profit corporation responsible for coordinating the management of the technical elements of the Domain Name System (DNS) to ensure that all users of the internet can find all valid addresses. It does this by overseeing the distribution of unique technical identifiers used in the internet's operations, and delegation of Top-Level Domain names (such as .com, .info, etc.).

ICANN also has web links to the major international domain name registries at http://www.icann.org (Links page). These usually include a Whois function for domain names held by that registry.

For more information on the domain name industry

http://www.auda.org.au.

http://www.ausregistry.com.au

http://www.icann.org

Where to go if there are problems

If you feel that you have been misled contact the Office of Fair Trading in your State or Territory or the ACCC Infocentre on 1300 302 502