Overview
Domain names are essential components of the internet's infrastructure. They replace complicated IP addresses with memorable names, making websites accessible to users worldwide. Understanding who manages domain names, how they are registered, and your ownership rights is crucial to protecting your online presence.
Where Are Domain Names Registered?
While no single entity owns the internet, organizations are responsible for regulating and managing its operations.
The Internet Society, a non-profit established in 1992, helped develop policies and protocols for using and interacting with the internet.
Initially, computers connected via IP addresses (like 74.52.71.26). As networks grew, remembering numeric IP addresses became difficult. The solution was a text file mapping names to IPs, managed by a centralized system. However, as the internet expanded, this file became unmanageable.
In 1983, the University of Wisconsin introduced the Domain Name System (DNS), which linked human-readable names (like libyanspider.com) to IP addresses.
The Domain Name System (DNS)
The DNS is a distributed database but relies on central name servers for organization.
To manage domain names globally:
- In 1993, the U.S. Department of Commerce helped create InterNIC to maintain a centralized domain name database.
- Network Solutions, initially selected to manage domains, was later joined by other registrars to avoid monopolies.
Top-Level Domains (TLDs) like .com, .net, and .org synchronize with global name servers to route internet traffic correctly.
Do You Own a Domain Name?
You do not own a domain name permanently. Instead, you lease it annually (or up to 10 years) by paying registration fees.
If you fail to renew, the domain becomes available for others to register.
To protect your domain:
- Register it for multiple years in advance.
- Renew it on time every year.
