Phishing and security

The .uk domain name plays an important role in the UK and global economy.  Our research has shown us that UK consumers have a greater level of trust in .uk domain names with 77% preferring to click on a .uk search result over a .com.

This level of trust in the security and integrity of .uk is encouraging, and we are committed to delivering against this expectation and will take appropriate measures to keep .uk safe.

Following discussion and approval by the Policy Advisory Body we have released two new functions to provide registrars with the appropriate tools to take action against illegal online activity at a domain name level.

• Phishing feed - this service provides registrars with information about domain names on their account that are suspected of being involved in phishing.

• Investigation lock - this operation locks domain names by removing the name from the zone file and preventing changes from being made. This means that any web site or email associated with the domain name will no longer be available.
  

Changes to payment systems

We have also made some changes to our payment systems with the following payment facilities being added:

• Continuous credit card authority - this facility allows registrars to pay their Nominet invoices by a continuous authority credit card instruction. Previously credit card payment instructions had to be made for each invoice. This new facility allows you to submit your credit card details just once giving permission for each monthly payment to be made against that card. This payment option can be set up in your online service account where full instructions are given.
  
  
• Money on account - You can use online services to put money on account to prevent you going over your credit limit.
  
  
• Auto-allocation - This allows you to choose how unallocated funds on your account are used.

Further information about payment options are available on our web site.

These functions were included in our software release on 20 January 2010. The release also includes improvements to web domain manager usability by adding the ability to add favourite nameservers.

If you have any questions about these tools or any security or anti-abuse issues, please contact our Member and Registrar services team on 01865 332233 or by email : support@nominet.org.uk