Offer Registry Lock service — Afilias to
28 more top level domains can be locked at the registry level.
Afilias is the latest domain name registry to offer a Registry Lock service for websites that need added protection against hijacking and nameserver changes.
Registry Lock is very different from locking a domain name at a registrar. A typical domain lock means a domain can’t be transferred to another registrar until it is unlocked in the registrar interface.
Registry Lock requires manual authentication with both the registrar and registry ahead of changes can be made to a domain.
Different registries have different procedures, but Registry Lock usually requires a domain owner to request a change with the registrar and then the registrar completes a manual process with the registry to allow the change. Domain registrar Blacknight explains the process on its website.
It’s a necessary service for big websites, and would have saved the Fresh York Times from having its nameservers hijacked in 2013.
As of 2013, .com registry Verisign charged $10 a month for its Registry Lock service. Registrars typically charge $300-$600 per year since of the manual work involved. I suspect registrars will charge a similar price for Afilas’ service, although brand protection registrars often bundle it with other services.
The Afilias service will be available for 28 top level domains.
