From an Internet governance perspective, multilingualism and security have been two of the cornerstone themes since its inception. The security theme addresses topics regarding the Domain Names System (DNS), Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), Internet attacks, security awareness, and policies and legal measures to ensure a safe and secure Internet experience. Security is a very diverse area...
Doman Name System (DNS) handles Internet addresses (such as www.google.com) and converts them to IP numbers (a simplified scheme of this process is presented in in the graphic over the page). DNS consists of root servers, top-level domain (TLD) servers, and a large number of DNS servers located around the world. The management of DNS has been a hot issue in the Internet governance debate. One of the main controversies involves the ultimate authority of the US government (via the Department of Commerce) over root servers, the top tier of the hierarchically organised DNS.
DNS includes three types of top-level domains: generic (gTLD), country code (ccTLD), and sponsored (sTLD). gTLDs include domains that could be obtained by anyone (.com, .info, .net and .org). sTLDs are limited to specific group. For example, the sTLD ‘.aero’ is open for registration only for air-transport industry. ccTLDs are limited to specific country (.uk, .cn, .in).
The basic functionality of DNS is explained in the DNS video.
ICANN’s policy on the special protection of the Red Cross and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) names has triggered a very lively discussion including contributions by Konstantinos Komatis, ...
Protection of Red Cross/Red Crescent Emblem and the Name on the Internet
One of many controversies surrounding the introduction of new domain names is the special protection given, though a moratorium, to the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (RCRC) and International Olympic Committee (IOC). [i] Although the...
From an Internet governance perspective, multilingualism and security have been two of the cornerstone themes since its inception. The security theme addresses topics regarding the Domain Names System (DNS), Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), Internet attacks, security awareness, and policies and legal measures to ensure a safe and secure Internet experience. Security is a very diverse area...
Twitter followers these days could notice an intensive buzz about the recent Comodo case – a serious security breach within the system of trusted authorities for web certificates. The news is, however, not in ‘what’ or ‘how’, but rather in ‘who’ and ‘why’. The suspects: the governmental structures of Iran. The possible motive: eavesdropping on its citizens on global communication channels....