SIDN warns against e-mail traffic to cancelled NL domains

The main party behind all .nl domain names, the SIDN, has been running a pilot project for some time to better protect email traffic with terminated domain names. .nl domains are kept in quarantine for 40 days after they have been cancelled and have expired, during which time it is possible to re-register the domain name under the same data. Thus, a forgotten or mistakenly terminated domain name can be restored.

The tool developed and created by SIDN takes into account whether email traffic is still being received on the deleted domain while it is in quarantine. Based on this information, an email is sent to the contact address of the registrar where the domain name is also registered. Based on this email, it can then be decided whether the domain name can still be restored.

The tool or service developed by SIDN was released under the name Lemmings and stands for deLetEd doMain Mall warNinG System. The exact time frame in which this works is after a domain name is quarantined, from day 20 to 30, whether any MX records are still claimed. So it is a signal for mail traffic.

Data leak prevention

Data leak prevention is an ongoing process that SIDN is also working on. In large companies, it can happen that several people are responsible for registering and managing domain names. And, of course, it sometimes happens that not everyone is equally satisfied with the result. Incorrect or unintentional cancellation can spell doom for a company if discovered too late. Once a domain name has been registered, it can be very costly to buy it back. Or it can even be made impossible. Email traffic still sent to that old domain may therefore arrive at new parties that have nothing to do with it. SIDN's algorithm pays special attention to expired domains that have to do with medicine or other sensitive areas, for example.

Thus, it is a service that is primarily aimed at larger companies and organizations. Many webmasters who already have some domains will have no problem keeping their portfolio of domain names up to date. However, it can happen to anyone if they are sick or on vacation. So, with this service, it is possible to warn you about the imminent expiration of your domain name. And to register it again.

The current numbers

Of course, the question is how often this will be the case. The test was performed on 1408 domains within a year. Of these, 5 domain names were taken out of quarantine because of the email. This is a percentage of 0.4 that was made active again. Of all .nl domain names that were also deleted during the same period, 0.2% were released from quarantine. So it won't happen very often, but it can make a big difference for a number of companies. Therefore, it was decided to enable this for all .nl domain names.

Once the email is received, you have 10 days to remove the domain name from quarantine. After that, it will be available again for registering a new domain name. Lemmings will begin testing in March, and after a year we will see how effective it has been.

Order your .nl domain name now at MijnHostingPartner.nl, now the first year for 2,50 ex vat, afterwards 6,- ex vat for the second year. It is also possible to register a domain name for 5 years, so you do not have to put this on the agenda every year. This way, for example, the above mentioned incidents can be avoided.

Sources:

https://www.sidnlabs.nl/nieuws-en-blogs/datalekken-voorkomen-voor-6-2-miljoen-domeinnamen

https://www.security.nl/posting/744012/SIDN+protects+all+cancelled+environment+domains+names+for+email+traffic