Critical.
Authoritative.
Strategic.
Subscribe to CIO Magazine »

Redirecting DNS requests can harm the Internet, says ICANN

Privacy and performance issues could arise when DNS operators substitute results for nonexistent domain requests

ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) on Tuesday condemned the practice of redirecting Internet users to a third-party Web site or portal when they misspell a Web address and type a domain name that does not exist.

Rather than return an error message for DNS (Domain Name System) requests for nonexistent domains, some DNS operators send back the IP (Internet Protocol) address of another domain, a process known as NXDOMAIN substitution. The target address is often a Web portal or information site.

Handling DNS requests this way has a number drawbacks that could lead to the Internet not working properly, according to ICANN.

For example, users sending e-mail to a domain that does not exist should get an immediate error message. However, if the message is redirected to a site set up to handle Web traffic, it's likely to get queued and an error message won't arrive for days, ICANN said.

Also, users will get longer response times if the site to which they're supposed to be redirected goes down.

Redirection sites are prime targets for attacks by hackers that want to send users to their own servers.

There are also privacy issues, according to ICANN. If sensitive data is redirected via a country with a different jurisdiction and local law, there could be consequences for both users and registries, it said.

ICANN, which handles assigning domain names and IP addresses, published its opinions and findings in a draft memo before the introduction of new gTLDs (generic top-level domains).

The organization discourages the practice of redirecting requests for nonexistent domains, and suggested banning it in a draft of the agreement owners of the new gTLDs would have to sign. ICANN wants domain owners wishing to redirect DNS requests to first explain why doing so won't cause any problems.

Join the CIO Australia group on LinkedIn. The group is open to CIOs, IT Directors, COOs, CTOs and senior IT managers.

More about: ICANN, Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, NN
References show all

Comments

Post new comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
Users posting comments agree to the CIO comments policy.
Login or register to link comments to your user profile, or you may also post a comment without being logged in.
Related Coverage
Related Whitepapers
Latest Stories
Community Comments
Tags: NXDOMAIN substitution, icann, DNS redirecting, DNS (Domain Name System)
Latest Blog Posts
Whitepapers
  • Web 2.0 in the Workplace Today
    More than a decade after the term ‘Web 2.0’ was coined, many businesses are still nowhere near to taking full advantage of the collaborative technologies the term refers to. Undoubtedly, confidence is growing in relation to using tools such as Facebook, Skype, Twitter, and indeed many more organisations are using such technology now compared to even just a couple of years ago. But the fact remains that a worrying amount of businesses seem to be operating a ‘lockdown’ approach – an approach that I’m sure many Board-level staff know is simply not good for business in the long-term.
    Learn more »
  • Enterprise Buyers Guide for Tablets
    In this enterprise buyers guide Computerworld provides a framework for assessing the suitability of tablet computers with different work styles and demands. The guide takes into account upgrade cycles, pricing and contract issues with telecommunications providers. It features a shopping checklist covering screen types, connectivity and hardware as well as a guide to application management. This is in addition to a full roundup of the major players including road maps for the most popular operating systems.
    Learn more »
  • How progressive companies are using social technologies
    Social networks and collaborative technologies are now commonplace in many workplaces. Having first been used “on the quiet” by highly-networked employees, in increasing numbers they are now being proactively used by businesses keen to connect more effectively with their internal and external audiences. Web collaboration is now viewed as critical to company success and as having multiple benefits and applications to the business. Read on.
    Learn more »
All whitepapers
rhs_login_lockGet exclusive access to Invitation only events CIO, reports & analysis.
Recent comments

HP and IDG news, product videos and resources