Glossary
Geek speak: the domain industry dictionary
a
A Record
A records allow domain names to be translated into numerical IP addresses, which computers use to locate and communicate with each other over the Internet.
AAAA Record
An AAAA record, also known as an IPv6 address record, maps domain names to IPv6 addresses in the DNS.
Access Control
Access control refers to the practice of managing and restricting access to certain resources or areas within a system or physical space. It ensures that only authorized individuals are able to access specific information, data, or locations.
b
BIMI Record
A BIMI record is a type of DNS record that allows organizations to display their brand logo next to their authenticated emails in their receiver's email inboxes.
c
ccTLD
A ccTLD (country code top-level domain) is a domain extension associated with a particular country but they are usually open to registration for anyone in the world.
Certificate Authority
A Certificate Authority (CA) is a trusted entity that issues digital signature certificates, such as SSL certificates for websites and Code Signing certificates for software.
clientHold
The domain status code "clientHold" is a status set by a domain registrar, indicating that the domain is temporarily inactive.
clientRenewProhibited
clientRenewProhibited is a domain status code that prevents domains from being renewed without explicit consent.
clientTransferProhibited
The status code clientTransferProhibited indicates that a domain is locked at the registrar level, preventing unauthorized transfers without first being unlocked.
clientUpdateProhibited
In domain management, the status code clientUpdateProhibited signifies that updates to the domain are not allowed, typically for security reasons or during disputes.
CNAME record
A CNAME record, short for Canonical Name record, is a type of DNS record that is used to alias (redirect) one domain name to another.
Cryptographic Protocols
Cryptographic protocols are sets of rules and procedures that govern the secure communication between two or more parties over a network.
Cybersquatting
Cybersquatting is a practice in which individuals or entities register domain names that are similar to popular trademarks or brand names with the intention of profiting from the goodwill associated with those names.
d
Data Privacy
Data privacy refers to the protection of personal information and sensitive data from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. It is a fundamental human right and a critical aspect of maintaining trust in the digital age.
Digital Signature Certificate
A digital signature certificate (DSC) is a secure digital key, issued by a Certificate Authority, that validates and certifies the identity of the person or organization holding this certificate.
Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack
A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack is when many computers work together to overwhelm a website or online service with too much traffic.
DKIM
DKIM stands for “DomainKeys Identified Mail”. This is an email authentication protocol that domain owners can add to the DNS zone of their domain.
DNS Hijacking
DNS hijacking is a cyber attack where attackers manipulate the Domain Name System (DNS) settings to redirect users from a legitimate website to a fake or malicious one.
DNS Security
DNS Security refers to the measures and protocols put in place to protect the DNS from various cyber threats and attacks.
DNS Spoofing
DNS spoofing, also known as DNS cache poisoning, is a cyber attack where attackers introduce corrupt DNS data into the DNS resolver's cache.
DNS Zone File
A DNS zone file is a text file that contains the mapping of domain names to IP addresses and other resources within a specific domain namespace.
DNSSEC
DNSSEC is a set of protocols and cryptographic mechanisms designed to add an extra layer of security to the DNS.
Domain Alias
A domain alias is an additional domain name that points to the same website as the primary domain.
Domain Backorder
A domain backorder is a service offered by some domain registrars that allows you to “reserve” a domain name that is already registered by someone else.
Domain Expiration
Domain expiration refers to the date when a domain registration expires and becomes available for renewal, potentially leading to the loss of the domain name if not renewed in time.
Domain Expiry Lookup
A domain expiry lookup is a process used to find out when a domain name is set to expire.
Domain Extension
A domain extension, also known as a top-level domain (TLD), is the part of a domain name that comes after the dot.
Domain Name
A domain name is a unique, readable address used to visit websites. It translates numerical IP addresses into memorable names, making it easier for humans to find and access websites. Each domain name is unique and registered to avoid duplicates.
Domain Ownership
Domain ownership refers to the legal rights and control a person or organization has over a specific domain name on the internet.
Domain Parking
Domain parking is the practice of registering a domain name without associating it with a website or email hosting, instead displaying advertisements or a simple "Coming Soon" page.
Domain Privacy Protection
Domain privacy protection is a service offered by domain registrars to protect the personal information of domain owners from being publicly accessible in the Whois database.
Domain Propagation
Domain propagation is the process of distributing changes to a domain name, such as DNS updates or new registrations, across the internet.
Domain Redirect
The process of a domain redirect, also commonly known as domain forwarding or URL forwarding, lets you redirect visitors from one domain name to another.
Domain Reseller Program
A domain reseller program is a special program that domain registrars may offer to resellers.
Domain Squatting
Domain squatting, also known as cybersquatting, involves registering domain names similar to well-known brands with the intent of profiting from their goodwill.
Domain Transfer Authorization Code
A domain transfer authorization code, often referred to as an EPP code or auth code, is a unique string of characters that acts as a password for a domain name.
Domain Validation (DV) SSL certificate
Domain Validation (DV) certificates are a particular subset of SSL certificates. DV certificates are intended for websites that do not process customer data in any shape or form.
Domainer
A domainer is someone who engages in the practice of buying, selling, and holding domain names as a form of investment.
Domicile Address
A domicile address refers to the place where an individual has their fixed, permanent home and principal establishment, and to which they intend to return whenever they are absent.
Dynamic DNS
Dynamic DNS is a technology that automatically updates DNS records for domain names with dynamic IP addresses, allowing websites and network devices to remain accessible despite frequent changes.
e
Email Encryption
Email encryption is a security measure that involves encoding email messages to protect sensitive information from unauthorized access.
Email Hosting
Email hosting is a service that provides a dedicated platform for managing and hosting your email accounts.
Extended Validation (EV) SSL Certificate
Extended Validation (EV) certificates are a particular subset of SSL certificates. EV certificates are designed for use by large enterprise companies.
g
Grace Period
The grace period is a specific timeframe in the domain lifecycle that allows for domain name renewal without additional fees or penalties after a domain has expired.
gTLD
gTLDs (generic top-level domains) are the largest category of domain extensions. gTLDs are not connected to a particular country or region.
h
HSTS Preload
The HSTS Preload list is a list of domains that are hardcoded into browsers to enforce HTTPS connections from the outset.
i
ICANN
ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) is the authority responsible for the management of the domain name system.
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
Intellectual property rights (IPR) refer to the legal rights that protect the creations of the human mind, such as inventions, literary and artistic works, designs, symbols, names, and images used in commerce.
Internet Exchange Points
Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) are physical locations where multiple ISPs and networks connect and exchange traffic with one another.
IP Address Management
IP address management (IPAM) is the process of planning, tracking, and managing IP addresses within a network infrastructure.
l
Landrush Period
The Landrush Period is a specific period in the launch of new top-level domain extensions (TLDs) where domain names are made available for registration on a first-come, first-served basis.
m
Man-in-the-middle attack
A man-in-the-middle (MitM) attack is when an attacker secretly intercepts and manipulates communication between two parties, compromising sensitive information.
MX record
An MX record, which stands for Mail Exchange record, is a type of DNS record that specifies the mail server responsible for receiving email messages on behalf of a domain.
n
Nameserver
A nameserver, also known as a DNS server, maps domain names to their corresponding IP addresses so users can access websites and other online services easily.
NAPTR Record
A NAPTR record is a type of DNS record that is used to map one domain name to another domain name or information about a service available on a domain.
Net Neutrality
Net neutrality ensures equal access to online content, promotes competition and innovation, and protects freedom of speech on the internet.
Network Address Translation (NAT)
Network address translation (NAT) is a process used in computer networking to modify network address information in the IP header of packets while they are in transit across a network.
Network Security
Network security refers to the measures and practices put in place to protect a computer network from unauthorized access, misuse, modification, or denial of service.
New gTLD
A new gTLD is a gTLD that was introduced after 2012. In the early 2010s, ICANN, the authority that oversees domains, launched a program to introduce more gTLDs to the Internet.
o
Organization Validation (OV) SSL Certificate
OV certificates are the right choice for small 0 to medium-sized businesses that process any kind of customer data on their websites, such as personal information, payment details, or passwords.
p
pendingDelete
pendingDelete is a domain status code that signifies that a domain is marked for deletion and will soon be purged from the registry database, becoming available for re-registration.
pendingRenew
The domain status code "pendingRenew" indicates that a request to renew the domain registration is currently being processed.
pendingTransfer
pendingTransfer is a domain status code that indicates that a domain transfer is in progress.
pendingUpdate
The domain status code pendingUpdate indicates that a request to update a domain's information, such as contact details, nameservers, or other registration data, is currently being processed.
Penetration Testing
Penetration testing, or pen testing, is a proactive cybersecurity approach to identifying vulnerabilities in IT systems and networks to prevent cyber attacks.
Phishing Protection
Phishing protection refers to the measures and strategies put in place to prevent individuals and organizations from falling victim to phishing attacks.
Private Domain Registration
Private domain registration is a service offered by domain registrars to shield the personal information of domain owners from being publicly accessible in the Whois database.
PTR Record
A PTR record, also known as a Pointer record, is a type of DNS record that is used to map an IP address to a domain name.
r
Redemption Period
The redemption period is a specific timeframe in the domain lifecycle that occurs after a domain name expires.
Registrar Lock
A registrar lock, also known as a domain lock or transfer lock, is a security feature provided by domain registrars to prevent unauthorized transfers of domain names.
s
S/MIME
An S/MIME certificate is a type of digital signature certificate for secure email communications that is particularly used in business environments.
Second-Level Domain
A second-level domain is located directly “below” a top-level domain. For example, many British web addresses end in .co.uk rather than in just .uk.
Security Audit
A security audit is a comprehensive assessment of an organization's security measures, policies, and procedures to identify potential vulnerabilities and risks.
SEO Hosting
SEO hosting refers to a type of web hosting service that is specifically designed to enhance a website's SEO efforts.
Server Security
Server security refers to the measures taken to protect a server from unauthorized access, data breaches, and other cyber threats.
serverDeleteProhibited
The serverDeleteProhibited status code prevents a domain from being deleted at the server level, ensuring protection against accidental or unauthorized deletions.
serverHold
serverHold is a domain status code set by the registry to indicate a domain that was made inactive, often due to administrative, legal, or payment problems.
serverRenewProhibited
The serverRenewProhibited status code indicates that a domain cannot be renewed through regular automated processes, as it was blocked from being renewed by the domain registry.
serverTransferProhibited
The serverTransferProhibited domain status code indicates that a domain cannot be transferred from one registrar to another, providing an extra layer of security to prevent unauthorized transfers and domain hijacking.
serverUpdateProhibited
serverUpdateProhibited is a domain status code that restricts updates at the server level to protect the domain from unauthorized changes, such as hijacking or transfers.
SOA Record
A SOA (Start of Authority) record is a record that defines the authoritative information about a DNS zone.
SPF Record
SPF record is an email authentication protocol that defines which servers and domains have your consent to send emails on your behalf.
SPF Record Null Value
When it comes to SPF records, a null value is an explicit declaration that no mail should be sent from the domain.
SRV Record
An SRV (Service) Record is a type of DNS record that specifies the hostname and port number of servers for specific services within a domain.
sTLD
Sponsored top-level domains (sTLDs) are top-level domains sponsored by private agencies and organizations.
Subdomain
A subdomain is a part of a larger domain name in the DNS hierarchy. Subdomains are commonly used to organize and categorize website content, creating a more structured hierarchy within a website's overall architecture.
Sunrise Phase
The Sunrise Phase is the first launch phase of a new gTLD. This phase offers a first opportunity for trademark owners to secure domain names matching their trademarks within the recently launched new gTLD.
t
Top-Level Domain (TLD)
A top-level domain (TLD) is the last part of a website's address, right after the final dot A well-known TLD is .com.
Trademark Clearinghouse
The Trademark Clearinghouse (TMCH) is a centralized database of registered trademarks within the domain industry.
Transport Layer Security (TLS)
Transport Layer Security (TLS) is a cryptographic protocol that provides secure communication over a network, typically the internet.
TXT record
A TXT record stores text information for a domain in the DNS. These records can serve various purposes, such as domain ownership verification and email authentication.
u
Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy (UDRP)
The UDRP is a policy established by ICANN to resolve disputes between domain name owners and third parties over trademark rights.
URL Forwarding
URL forwarding, also known as domain forwarding, is the process of redirecting a website visitor from one URL to another.
v
Vulnerability Assessment
A vulnerability assessment is a systematic process of identifying, quantifying, and prioritizing vulnerabilities within an organization's systems, networks, and applications.
w
Web Hosting Control Panel
A web hosting control panel works as an intermediary between system services and administrators. We can automate daily tasks by using a web hosting control panel.
Website Migration
Website migration is the process of transferring a website from one host or platform to another.
Whois Database
The Whois is a publicly accessible database that stores information about all registered domain names and their owners.
Whois Lookup
A Whois lookup refers to the action of looking up a particular domain name in the Whois database. Performing a Whois lookup allows you to search for and access the registration details of a domain, including the owner's personal information.
Wildcard SSL Certificate
A wildcard SSL certificate is an SSL certificate that covers all of the subdomains under the main domain name that you order the certificate for.