CircleID

.CO Internet S.A.S., the registry operator for the .CO domain, today announced two major domain security initiatives that reaffirm its commitment to implementing measures to proactively combat domain name abuse, and will help to make .CO one of the safest, most secure domain extensions on the Internet.

Commencing in January, .CO will begin testing Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC) ahead of an expected full implementation in the first half of 2011. DNSSEC is a suite of specifications for securing certain kinds of information provided by the Domain Name System (DNS) that is designed to protect the Internet from certain types of attacks, such as DNS cache poisoning. It will eventually allow Internet users to know with certainty that they have been directed to the precise website they intended to reach.

Additionally, .CO Internet has announced the official launch of its "Rapid Domain Compliance Process," which gives the registry the tools it needs to quickly bring "into compliance" any domain name that is being deployed for fraudulent, malicious or illegal purposes.

Leveraging the industry-leading security monitoring labs of Neustar, its back-end technical services provider, and a newly published set of protocols and procedures, the .CO registry is able to gain critical intelligence and to take swift and decisive action to take down any .CO website that puts the safety and security of the registry, its registrars, registrants and/or Internet users at risk.

Commenting on the registry's commitment to enhanced domain security, Eduardo Santoyo, VP & ccTLD Manager of .CO Internet, said: "In announcing our intention to implement DNSSEC and by bringing into effect our Rapid Domain Compliance Process, we are adopting a position of stewardship in relation to Internet security."

Recognizing that security of the DNS is an industry-wide concern, Santoyo goes on to state that "while we are no more at risk than any other domain registry on matters relating to domain name abuse, we firmly believe that it is our responsibility to be proactive in the field, especially given the explosive worldwide growth that .CO has enjoyed to date."

Since launching .CO globally in the second level on July 20th, 2010, more than 600,000 .CO domain names have been registered by individuals and businesses in close to 200 countries.

To learn more about the .CO Rapid Domain Compliance Process and/or stay up-to-date on the status of the DNSSEC test phase, please check back regularly on http://www.cointernet.co or contact us directly using the contact details provided.

Contact: Lori Anne Wardi, Director, .CO Internet, S.A.S. / Phone: 917-838-6743 / Email: lori(at)cointernet.co

About .CO Internet

.CO Internet S.A.S. is the Registry Operator for the .CO top-level domain. Short, memorable and credible, .CO is the hot, new ending for web addresses all over the world. From start-ups and small businesses to big brands and multinational corporations, .CO is increasingly becoming the web address of choice for innovators and entrepreneurs across the globe. Please visit http://www.COinternet.co and http://www.go.co for more information. You can also follow us on Twitter @dotCO and at Facebook.com/dotCO. (Learn More)

Related topics: DNS Security, Domain Names, Registry Services, Security, Top-Level Domains