Is Network Solutions Snatching Domain Names?

Found on eWEEK on Tuesday, 08 January 2008
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Numerous reports confirm that Network Solutions, the well-known domain registry company, is automatically registering domain names when individuals search for a potential name using its site's search tools.

In a follow-up story at DomainNameNews, a reporter confirmed that after using the popular whois tool on the Network Solution site to search for a domain name, they then found that the site had been registered to a private registrant, but that the domain name was still available from Network Solutions.

eWEEK was also able to determine that simply searching for a domain name with Network Solutions' Whois utility was sufficient for Network Solutions to automatically register the name.

Other individuals have started automated scripts to flood Network Solutions with bogus domain name searches in an impromptu DDoS (distributed denial of service) attack. Others are protesting Network Solutions new policy to ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), the oversight organization for top-level domain name providers. At this time, ICANN has not replied to requests for its stand on Network Solutions' policies.

There's been a lot of rumour about providers of whois-tools who keep an eye on what people are looking for and register it. NetSols approach is rather aggressive and questionable.