VeriSign DNS in Trouble

hesiod writes "Over at CNet News, there is an article reporting that VeriSign may lose their ability to sell domains. Evidently, ICANN is miffed because VS's WHOIS database has incorrect information. Not exactly news to most of us, but they have been given 15 days to fix the errors, or risk losing the ability to sell domains."

We are always fixing this one...

[nutznboltz]

# whois Dundjerski.com

Whois Server Version 1.3

[...]

Administrative Contact:
Dundjerski, Marina (MDE220) [e-mail]
Marina Dundjerski
000 Blank St.
No city, XX 00000
US
123-123-1234

# date ; whois Dundjerski.com | grep updated
Wed Sep 4 18:12:24 EDT 2002
Database last updated on 4-Sep-2002 18:12:24 EDT.
# date ; whois Dundjerski.com | grep updated
Wed Sep 4 18:12:25 EDT 2002
Database last updated on 4-Sep-2002 18:12:25 EDT.
# date ; whois Dundjerski.com | grep updated
Wed Sep 4 18:12:26 EDT 2002
Database last updated on 4-Sep-2002 18:12:27 EDT.

Just transfered from VeriSign

[stompro]

I have just finished a month long battle with VeriSign to get access to a domain. I would fax them an authorization letter, they would email me back saying I missed the coma on the 21st page after the statment of intent blah blah. I finally got everything to their liking but they didn't respond for a couple more weeks. So I headed over to domainmonger and did a transfer, and was up and running in a day and a half.
I can kind of understand why a larger company would like to know that someone has to jump through major hoops before someone can hijack their domain, but for me all there security was a major pain in the ass. Plus, the last time I checked, they were using some ibm ssl software that doesn't let you use mozilla to manage your account. I am going to plug domainmonger here, I have no affiliation with them, I am just a happy customer.
domainmonger.com [domainmonger.com]
I have had such good luck with domainmonger, they are not a large operation, but I have never had trouble getting ahold of someone if I have had a problem.

....
posting makes you feel goooooodd.

Verisign slap on the wrist?

[Charlie Bill]

I'm sure ICANN can't be too happy with VS for its somewhat shady business practices recently. Is this just them using a techinicality to nibble at them (akin to tax law suits lodged against bootleggers)?

New Art Of Domain Hi-jacking sponsored by ICANN

[Anonymous Coward]

ICANN are introducing a 15-day challenge to correct Whois data. If the data is not corrected within 15 days, the domain is pulled. Gone. Poof.

Even if the Whois information is 100% correct and you don't respond within the 15 days, it's gone. Poof.

It works something like this:

1. Take out a dropped domain name registration using WLS or SnapNames.
2. Complain about the Whois data for the domain you want.
3. Wait 15 days
4. When the domain name is dropped, the name is reregistered through WLS or SnapNames and becomes yours.

Slashdot.org will be mine. You have been warned.

Re:i'm forgetting again

[anthony_dipierro]

what law is it breaking to have incorrect data?

None yet, but if ICANN gets their way they'll buy this law [loc.gov].

Re:i'm forgetting again

[jdreed1024]

what law is it breaking to have incorrect data?

There is no such law. But what's your point? If Ashcroft or someone from the justice dept were pursuing them, and there was no law, then you'd have a point.

They did, however, sign a contact with ICANN, in which they agreed to have up to date data. They chose to take a big shit on that contract. That's why ICANN is pissed.

Personally, I'd love to see Verisign out of business. Someone stole my identity two years ago and bought $1000 worth of services from Verisign. Verisign took a YEAR to remove the domains, claiming they needed to verify with the registrant before they could be cancelled. (Thieves have more rights than I do, apparently). They still refuse to remove the bogus whois information that the thief supplied using my correct name and address, but a fake phone number and e-mail. They claim I can't remove it, because I told them I didn't enter it in the first place. They also don't answer the phone anywhere but the sales department.

They're a bunch of lying, thieving, ignorant wankers, who deserve to have the book thrown at them. Not that it'll happen, since ICANN will probably give up at the last minute (c.f. United States v. Microsoft).

Blatant Misdirection on ICANNs Part

[limekiller4]

17 records out of 10 million? This is ICANN "making hay" to look like they're sticking up for the little guy and a blatant public relations move after they went ahead and pushed through WLS despite an overwhelming vote against it [kuro5hin.org] by pretty much everyone ...except for the gTLDs (ie, .COM and .NET, which, amazingly enough, Verisign controls.).

ICANN is so in bed with Verisign it's not even funny. This is a nudge-nudge wink-wink arrangement between them so ICANN can look like they're doing their job and Verisign takes a black eye that nobody will remember in a year so that WLS happens.

Do not be fooled.

changing registrars

[phriedom]

I had the same problem getting VeriSign to change a domain host, they ignored faxes, etc. I finally got it moved, but was tired of the BS from VS. So I tried to move to a new registrar, GoDaddy to be exact, and got a "the current registrar has denied your transfer request." GoDaddy says there is nothing they can do about it and that I must take up the issue with VeriSign. I am of course seething mad. I am paid up. I am in compliance with their entire Service Agreement. The link in the Service Agreement that refers to changing registrars leads to a Procedure for changing restrants, not registrars. VeriSign ignored my first Help request. I just tried again and got the form email that says they will get back to me in 24hours. I'm hoping I don't have to send a certified letter to their legal department. Anyone have any advice out there?

How I became a porn king without even trying.

[stonewolf]

VeriSign made a data entry error and listed my nic handle, something like, SW123 as the technical contact for a porn site. The nic handle of the real technical contact for the site was something like SW1234. They just dropped the last digit. I found out about the problem when angry customers of the porn site started contacting me. A couple threatened to sue me. I contacted VeriSign and asked them to correct the error. They refused. I explained the problem, they couldn't care less. I contacted the actual web site owner, in Australia, I live in the US, he never responded.

I found that I was on many porn dealer mailing lists. I contacted VeriSign. I started getting promotional offers for disks of barn yard porn. Both VeriSign and the owner of the site refused to reply to my emails. When I called VeriSign they told me to stop bothering them. They refused to take any action.

Eventually the owner tried to change the DNS server for the site, as technical contact I blocked it. They tried again, I blocked it. They tried to change the technical contact. I let them!

I was listed as technical contact for that site for more than 4 years. VeriSign refused to do anything. I was never able to contact the actual owners of the site. I contacted VeriSign by email and by phone repeatedly. They refused to do anything.

My name and my home address are still listed in directories of porn site operators.

I would like to see the President of VeriSign draw and quartered. I hate those guys. Putting them out of business is the least that should be done to them. They are sick sick sick bastards.

Stonewolf